Situational Leadership

Many persons coming up in the ranks and getting exposed to true leadership situations lack the knowledge or the experience to adequately assess “what” is happening and “what the options are” for survival or success.?? I say survival because it could be your project, your company, or your career.

As an avid reader of business strategy and leadership books, two of my favorites were “Machiavelli’s the Prince” and “Situational Leadership” by Kenneth Blanchard. I can feel stones being thrown about the Machiavelli selection, but remember he was merely giving princes advice on options of ruling (to get a job).

Are you in a start-up where everyone wears multiple hats, juggles multiple balls, and does whatever is necessary to win? Or are you in a mature company with a track record of mediocracy? Maybe in a unicorn or a high flying high-tech pamper party? ?

To jump into an organization requires you to assess it candidly and determine what management style is appropriate. By that, do you need to be an aggressive change agent (no time to waste)? Maybe you need to be evolutionary, giving people time to buy-in? Or perhaps you’ve been hired to be a caretaker and not screw things up?

I’ve lived through many of these scenarios, and I can tell you that "one style of management doesn’t fit all situations”. ?A leader’s character, belief in their people, their straight forwardness as well as their empathy should be the backbone behind the situational decisions you make.? Tough situations deserve equally tough responses and getting your teams to galvanize around a shared vision is paramount to success.

What are your thoughts?