what is the situational leadership hersey blanchard model 
the situational leadership model or theory also known as the hersey blanchard model suggests that no single leadership style is better than another instead of focusing on workplace factors the model suggests that leaders should adjust their techniques to those they lead and their abilities under the model successful leadership is both task relevant and relationship relevant it is an adaptive flexible style in which leaders are encouraged to consider their followers individuals or a team then consider the factors that impact the work environment before choosing how they will lead this gives them a better chance of meeting their goals understanding the situational leadership hersey blanchard modelthe 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 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 a leadership style related to followers maturity for example if an employee s maturity is high the model suggests the leader provide minimal guidance by contrast if their maturity is low the manager may need to provide explicit directions and supervise work closely to ensure the group has clarity on their goals and how they are expected to achieve them the maturity level of followers is divided into four categories because the hersey blanchard model depends on a leader s decision making skills it uses an individualistic rather than a group approach special considerationshersey and blanchard developed four types of leadership styles based on the tasks and relationships that leaders experience in the workplace according to the model the following are styles of leadership that managers can use this leadership method lets executives managers or people in other positions of authority take charge of their followers based on the acumen understanding and context of the group by considering how the employee s characteristics can affect a project s performance and outcomes leaders can apply an appropriate structure and degree of control to achieve the desired result 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 time constraints a narrow field of options and limits on available assets can also force managers to act based on their circumstances eliminating the possibility of enacting strategies built around follower maturity advantages and disadvantages of the situational leadership hersey blanchard modelalthough this leadership model may be sound in theory it may not necessarily apply in every situation there are advantages and disadvantages to this approach one advantage of an adaptive leadership style is that leaders can change anytime second employees may find a leader who adapts to shifts in the workforce as a desirable trait it is also a simple and easy to apply leadership style meaning a manager can quickly evaluate a situation and decide as they see fit on the downside situational leadership may put too much responsibility on the manager whose decisions may be flawed additionally the model may not work well in certain work cultures industries or sectors lastly there is a chance that this model might prioritize relationships and tasks instead of a company s long term goals a manager should be mindful of this when using this approach 