The situational approach to leadership asserts that there is no one best way to lead others and emphasizes that the style and behavior of the leader should depend on the characteristics of followers. Specifically, the situational approach to leadership model provides leaders with insight regarding the most effective leadership style to demonstrate based on the readiness of the followers. This approach contends that a leader will elicit maximum performance from followers when the leader’s behaviors are tailored to the followers’ ability, willingness, and level of confidence.

Known previously as the life cycle of leadership theory and situational leadership theory, the situational approach to leadership has been revised several times, and the terminology has been modified with each revision.

Research examining the behavioral approach to leadership has demonstrated ...

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