Discuss the situational approach to leadership, including the four specific styles of leadership the theory identifies. Give an example of a group you have participated in where the leader demonstrated one of these styles.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The ideal answer should include:
- The situational approach holds that the effective leader shifts his or her emphasis between task accomplishment (i.e., identifying and focusing on the specific problem that the group must solve) and member satisfaction (i.e., providing for the psychological and interpersonal needs of the group members).
- The theory identifies four specific leadership styles:
* Telling style: The leader provides high levels of task guidance and tells the group members what to do, when and where to do it, and how to do it.
* Selling style: The leader gives the group high levels of both task guidance and relationship support.
* Participating style: The leader gives the group high levels of relationship support but little in the way of task direction.
* Delegating style: The leader gives little task direction and little emotional support.
- Student examples will vary:
* "One time, I volunteered with a group at a food pantry. The group was led by an individual who used the selling style. He motivated the group by giving inspirational "pep talks" and showed us exactly how to complete the tasks."