According to Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Model, leadership style depends mainly on:

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