The situational approach is one of the most popular approaches to leadership (PSU WC, L5, p. 12). The concept of this approach is that different situations need different types of leadership (Northouse, 2021, p. 217). For leadership to be effective, leaders must adapt their style to the demand of different situations and followers (Northouse, 2021, p. 217). This approach is explained in the model developed by Blanchard and his colleagues called SLII model (Blanchard et al., 1993; Blanchard et al., 2013 as cited in Northouse, 2021, p. 217). The SLII model suggests that leadership is composed of both a directive and a supportive dimension and that they should be applied depending on the situation (Northouse, 2021, p. 2017). Directive behaviors involve clarifying tasks and defining roles and the goal (Northouse, 2021, p. 218). And supportive behaviors involve social and emotional support (Northouse, 2021, p. 218).
(Blanchard et al., 1993; Blanchard et al., 2013)
As presented in the model above, the two major components of the SLII model are leadership style and development level of followers (Northouse, 2021, p. 217). The situational approach suggests that leaders must determine what style is needed in a particular situation (Northouse, 2021, p. 217). In doing this, leaders must evaluate and assess how competent and committed their followers are to complete a given goal (Northouse, 2021, p. 217). However, both skills and motivation may vary over time (Northouse, 2021, p. 217). The SLII model emphasizes how leaders should change their style to meet the changing need of followers (Northouse, 2021, p. 217).
Dwight D. Eisenhower was the supreme allied commander during the second World War (Whitehouse, 2021). And later became the 34th President of the United States. His success as the supreme allied commander and as the President of the United States is attributed to his ability to utilize different leadership styles in different situations (Wolf, 2021). Eisenhower had a talent for strategic planning with enabled him to tackle leadership using the situational approach (Pach, 2020). Eisenhower became president not too long after the second World War ended (Pach, 2020). So, during this time, things were sort of unpredictable. Eisenhower often had to approach situations of uncertainty which forced him to change leadership styles. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s successful approach to situational leadership is attributed to his time serving in the military. The military often utilizes situational leadership because the environment is constantly changing which means the situation is changing. Higher ranking military officers must have the capability to lead in all situations.
To conclude, the situational approach emphasizes that different situations need different types of leadership (Northouse, 2021, p. 217). And the SLII model was adapted to further explain this theory. The model suggests that leadership is composed of both a directive and a supportive dimension and that they should be applied depending on the situation (Northouse, 2021, p. 2017). Directive behaviors involve clarifying tasks and defining roles and the goal (Northouse, 2021, p. 218). And supportive behaviors involve social and emotional support (Northouse, 2021, p. 218). Dwight D. Eisenhower is one example of this approach being used effectively. He had the ability to utilize different leadership styles in different situations (Wolf, 2021).
Hi Rachael,
I really enjoyed your post because it was very similar to my own. I am personally a big fan of situational leadership theory after learning about it in last weeks lesson. It was extremely interesting to me that trait and skills theory both completely leave out the context of situations which occur between leader and follower. The context of these situations is important to understanding the bigger picture and what constitutes an effective leader (PSU WC, L5 p.3, 2022). In the case of Eisenhower I would say he has more of a “directing” style of situational leadership which has a high-directiveness low-supportiveness style of situational leadership (Northouse, p.219, 2021). The reason I believe this is because of the way you framed your post. You indicated that Eisenhower had to change his style of leadership often due to uncertainty and in that post-war era he was primarily concerned with directing and focusing his followers attention. This is why I believe he had a high-directive low-supportive style of situational leadership as there was not much indication from your post that he requested follower input or actively listened to them and their grievances (Northouse, p.219, 2021). He definitely exemplifies much of an effective situational leadership disposition as you mentioned with his timing of presidency. Being such an uncertain time in US history he was required to adapt his leadership style to fit a variety of situations and as such became adept at doing just that.
References:
Northouse, P.G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice. 9th Edition. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus (2022). PSYCH 485 Lesson 5: Description of Style Approach. Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2177519/modules/items/33991687
Hi Rachael,
I am so glad you decided to use Dwight D. Eisenhower as your example for a person who greatly utilized and nearly perfected the art of situational leadership. Being that it is one of the most popular leadership styles, it only fits that a person with his type of adaptability would fall into this category (PSU WC, L5, p. 12). As a man who served in the military, he clearly was able to learn the different styles of leadership as each situation can greatly change when you are serving and can require a different style of leadership to command. Between him being the supreme allied commander to being president he would have had to utilize different styles for different situations and for the different types of followers he had. This is shown perfectly in the model you presented about the two major components of the SLII model being leadership style and development level of followers (Northouse, 2021, p. 217). You can see that throughout his lifetime he had to use each quadrant of that model for the position he was holding and the situation he was presented with.
I can speak from experience that everything I had to deal with as a leader in the marine corps was completely different than anything I have had to deal with since I got out. Even in a similar situation, it had to be dealt with differently because of the people around. This attests to the amazing abilities within leadership Dwight D. Eisenhower must have possessed because he was in all different types of leadership roles and positions. It also shows why the situational approach demands that a leader match his/her style to the competence and commitment of the followers (PSU WC, L5, p. 12).
References:
Northouse, P.G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice. 9th Edition. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus (2022). PSYCH 485 Lesson 5: Description of Situational Approach. Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2177519/modules/items/33991697
Hello Rachael,
Your description of Dwight D. Eisenhower and his ability to utilize different leadership styles in different situations is the perfect example of how to describe situational leadership. Adaptability is a good personality trait for leaders to possess in order to be effective in leading under certain circumstances. Not all situations are going to be the same, and to possess the ability to change to the surroundings is a good trait to have. Like you stated in your post, Eisenhower used the situational leadership approach during his time in the war because when at war circumstances are unpredictable. As the supreme allied commander, Eisenhower needed to be prepared for any and everything. Not only did he have to be able to adapt but flexibility is also another part of the situational approach. This allows a leader to be responsive to change because of their versatile personality.
“Situational leadership means having the skills and understanding to assess a scenario you’re facing and manage it with the right leadership style (Froschheiser, 2010).” Leaders who use the situational approach are able to mask their fears with their confidence which allows them to positively influence others. I can imagine going to war is extremely scary and can cause individuals to panic. Dwight D. Eisenhower was a confident individual who did not show any sense of fear. You made a clear and distinctive argument that Dwight D. Eisenhower was a an example of the situational approach being used effectively. I agree with that statement in the way he was able to adapt as a leader to whatever issues he had to face.
References
Froschheiser, L. (2010, August 4). Use ‘situational leadership’ to manage challenges at hand. Reliable Plant. Retrieved February 18, 2022, from https://www.reliableplant.com/Read/25910/leadership-challenges-skills