Developing flexibility to meet the needs of the situation
The contingency leadership models taught in management courses provide faculty with some insights into adjusting teaching styles to meet individual learners' needs. Using a contingency approach, leaders adapt their leadership style to match the situation. For example, in Hersey and Blanchard's [1] Situational Leadership Model, a leader increases or decreases control depending on the readiness of followers in the following manner:
- The more willing and able the follower, the more the leader needs to delegate to the follower.
- The less willing and able the follower, the more the leader needs to direct the follower.
- If a follower is willing but not able, the leader needs to coach the follower.
- If the follower is able but not willing, the leader needs to motivate the follower.
A key objective of situational leadership is to develop all followers toward being able and willing to do their jobs with less leadership control. A key lesson from Hersey and Blanchard for adult educators is that each individual and situation is different. Practicing situational leadership allows leaders to always do the right thing, not be limited by doing the same thing.
