Situational leadership
Why there is no single right leadership style. How to read the situation, the level of risk, and a person's competence, experience and maturity. How to tell healthy, balanced leadership from chaotic switching between directing and letting go.
1. Directive style / I command
The leader carries all the responsibility, decides clearly and assigns specific steps. Suitable for a crisis, acute stress, high risk or a complete newcomer.
2. (Sport) Coaching / I lead
The leader knows the way and carries the main responsibility, but explains, navigates and develops intensively. Suitable when the goal is demanding and the person you lead does not yet have enough experience.
3. Mentoring / I advise
The person you lead already handles most of the work alone. The leader gives them room to take on a larger whole, follows their progress, advises, corrects and explains.
4. Democratic style / I invite in
The people the leader leads become part of the team. The leader involves others in finding solutions, accepts differing opinions and lets themselves be outvoted. Suitable for creative problem solving, planning and decisions where more perspectives add value.
5. Supportive style / I support
An experienced person manages themselves; the leader is available, removes obstacles and reviews progress at regular intervals. Responsibility is still shared.
6. Delegation / I hand over
The leader hands an entire area to a mature and competent person. Oversight is minimal – progress updates and reporting are enough; in a crisis the leader can step in.
7. Laissez-faire / I let go
The person has grown into a new leader who no longer needs oversight or support. The original leader steps away from responsibility for the result – but does not lose interest. The end of the day belongs to model situations, reflection on your own tendencies and a personal action plan.