According to Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational

Solution

According to Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard, the Situational Leadership Model explains that there is no single best leadership style. Instead, effective leadership depends mainly on the readiness (or maturity) of followers. 

Follower readiness refers to the extent to which followers are:

1. Able – having the skills, knowledge, and competence to perform a task

2. Willing – having confidence, commitment, and motivation to perform the task

Readiness is task-specific, not a permanent trait of a person.

Situational leadership says leaders must match style (telling, selling, participating, delegating) to the maturity or readiness of followers as follows:

• Low Readiness (R1): Unable & Unwilling - Followers lack skills and confidence; Leadership Style: Telling / Directing
• Moderate Readiness (R2): Unable but Willing - Followers are motivated but lack skills; Leadership Style: Selling / Coaching
• Moderate–High Readiness (R3): Able but Unwilling/Insecure - Followers have skills but lack confidence or commitment; Leadership Style: Participating / Supporting
• High Readiness (R4): Able & Willing - Followers are competent and committed; Leadership Style: Delegating