The idea
In 1969 Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard presented the “life cycle theory of leadership”, later called situational leadership. Its core claim: there is no single best style - an effective leader adapts behaviour to the readiness (maturity) of the person being led with respect to a specific task.
The model combines two dimensions from the behavioural approach: directive (task) behaviour and supportive (relationship) behaviour.
Four styles (SLII version)
In the version developed by Blanchard and colleagues (SLII, 1985) the styles and development levels are:
| Development level | Description | Leader style |
|---|---|---|
| D1 - enthusiastic beginner | low competence, high commitment | S1 directing - high direction, low support |
| D2 - disillusioned learner | some competence, falling commitment | S2 coaching - high direction, high support |
| D3 - capable but cautious performer | high competence, variable confidence | S3 supporting - low direction, high support |
| D4 - self-reliant achiever | high competence and commitment | S4 delegating - low direction, low support |
The same person may be at D4 on one task and D1 on another.
Assessment
The model is very popular in training thanks to its simplicity and practicality. Research gives it only partial support, and critics point to the unclear rationale for transitions between levels (Thompson and Vecchio, 2009). Even so, it serves well as a language for talking about what a given person needs.
In community practice
The model describes a new animator's path well: from clear instructions, through a period of crisis and support, to independence and delegation. It matches the simple pattern of the discipleship method: “I do - you watch”, “I do - you help”, “you do - I help”, “you do - I watch”. See also Ken Blanchard.
Sources
P. Hersey, K. H. Blanchard, Life cycle theory of leadership, Training and Development Journal 23 (1969) K. Blanchard, P. Zigarmi, D. Zigarmi, Leadership and the One Minute Manager, William Morrow 1985 G. Thompson, R. P. Vecchio, Situational leadership theory: A test of three versions, The Leadership Quarterly 20 (2009) P. G. Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, ch. 5, SAGE 2021