
Full Answer
What is the Hersey-Blanchard model?
Understanding the Hersey-Blanchard Model The Hersey-Blanchard Model, or situational leadership style, was developed by author Paul Hersey and leadership expert Ken Blanchard, author of The One Minute Manager. The model is not a static leadership style.
What is the Hersey and Blanchard situational leadership model (SLII)?
Hence, the Hersey and Blanchard Situational Leadership Model (Figure 1), which was originally labelled The Life Cycle Theory of Leadership, has developed into two slightly divergent models. Blanchard decided to call his version of the model The Situational Leadership II Model (or SLII Model).
What is the Hersey Blanchard theory of leadership?
The role of the leader is to take tasks that are given and then distribute them to appropriate team members. The Hersey-Blanchard situational leadership theory suggests that there is a fifth type of leader: one that can adapt their style based on the situation that they encounter.
Why did Hersey and Blanchard go their separate ways?
Even though Hersey and Blanchard worked together for years to support the notion that leadership styles should be situational, they decided to go separate ways in 1977 to focus on their own agendas.

What Is the Hersey-Blanchard Model?
The Hersey-Blanchard Model suggests no single leadership style is better than another. Instead of focusing on workplace factors, the model suggests leaders adjust their styles to those they lead and their abilities.
Which model suggests no leadership style is better than another?
The Hersey-Blanchard Model suggests no leadership style is better than another.
What are the limitations of the leadership model?
There are limitations to the model that may be beyond the leader’s control. The position and authority of the leader may be restricted by the operational chain-of-command or hierarchy for an organization , which could force them to adopt rigid styles rather than adapt to follower maturity.
Does leadership model apply to every situation?
Although this leadership model may be sound in theory, it may not necessarily apply in every situation. It comes with advantages and disadvantages.
Is a model a static style?
The model is not a static leadership style. Instead, it is flexible, wherein the manager adapts their management style to various factors in the workplace, including their relationship with employees. That means managers who live by the model must choose the leadership style as it relates to the maturity of followers.
What is Hersey-Blanchard's theory?
The Hersey-Blanchard model, also known as the Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Theory, is a theory that advocates the existence of more than one optimum style of leadership. The model also addresses the relationship between leadership style and subordinate maturity. Maturity concerns the ability to orient one's actions and behavior toward the job requirements.
How does the Hursey-Blanchard Situational Model Work?
This model empowers managers to adopt different leadership styles to suit the variable behavioral parameters of task and relationship . The Key aspects of the model are as follows:
What did Blanchard use instead of Hersey's term?
Moreover, Blanchard used the term Competence (meaning: skills, knowledge and abilities) instead of Hersey’s term Ability.
Why did Hersey and Blanchard separate?
An important note about Hersey and Blanchard to start with! Even though Hersey and Blanchard worked together for years to support the notion that leadership styles should be situational, they decided to go separate ways in 1977 to focus on their own agendas.
What is the Hersey Blanchard model?
According to this model, the leader has to match the leadership style according to the readiness of subordinates which moves in stage and has a cycle. Therefore, this theory is also known as the life-cycle theory of leadership.
What is the basis of the 'Readiness' theory?
The theory, developed by Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard, is based on the ’readiness’ level of the people the leader is attempting to influence. Readiness is the extent to which followers have the ability and willingness to accomplish a specific task.
What is the S2 style?
S2 - Selling: This style is most appropriate for low to moderate follower readiness (R2). It emphasizes high amounts of both task and relationship behavior.
What is Hersey-Blanchard's theory of leadership?
The Hersey-Blanchard situational leadership theory makes it possible for today’s leaders to recognize the skills, maturity, and behaviors of their direct reports and adjust their leadership style to meet specific needs. In doing so, it becomes possible to lead any team to a successful outcome.
Who identified four leadership styles that are implemented in personal and professional circumstances?
Dr. Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard have identified four primary leadership styles that are implemented in personal and professional circumstances.
What is the difference between Blanchard and Hersey?
After that Blanchard preferred to call his model Situational Theory of Leadership II. However, experts claim that the differences between the two models are only superficial. For instance, Hersey preferred to use the term “Readiness” where as Blanchard preferred to call it “Development”.
What is Hersey's and Blanchard's theory of situational leadership?
Hersey’s and Blanchard’s theory of situational leadership is of much use to leaders all over the world. It provides a one step solution to leaders regarding how much they should support and direct their subordinates. They just need to be aware of the readiness or developmental level of their employees.
What is the leadership style of R3?
In this style of leadership, supporting is high but direction is low. It is suited for both R3 and D3 subordinates. Leaders need to interact with the subordinates and listen to their ideas and opinions. Since the subordinate has learned for a long time, leaders in this stage trust that they are capable of accomplishing day-to-day tasks independently. In sum, this leadership style involves gradually increasing the level of independence of the subordinates.
Why is Blanchard calling them D1?
However, Blanchard called them D1 (Development 1). This is because, according to Blanchard, new employees exhibit this combination. Although they are very motivated and willing to learn the task and achieve quick success, they have very low levels of on-the-job experience.
Who developed the situational leadership model?
Situational Leadership Model: Hersey and Blanchard. Hersey and Blanchard developed the Life Cycle Theory of leadership, which later came to be known as the Situational Leadership Model. They borrowed from the dimensions of initiating structure and consideration to formulate the situational leadership model.
What is the role of a leader in stages R4 and D4?
Since the subordinates have already acquired skills and competence and willingness, leaders do not need to provide too much guidance. Rather the subordinates are ready to take on responsibilities and perform complex tasks. The leaders’ role is to provide support as and when required.
What is the Hersey-Blanchard model?
It is a situational leadership model developed by Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard that focuses heavily on individual team members’ abilities and willingness to act. The basic premise of the model is to adapt management style to a given situation based on the development level of an employee (referred to as “follower” in the model).
How do you determine employee development levels?
In order to determine the level of development of an employee, we need to answer the questions such as: to what extent the person is confident, motivated and committed to certain tasks.
How do you measure the effects?
To assess whether our actions are effective, we need to measure the results. For this purpose, it is worth using, for example, periodic evaluations again and comparing them with the previous result.
