Encyclopedia of Leadership

9.1

LEADERSHIP VERSATILITY:

MATCHING YOUR ROLE TO THE SITUATION

Inspired by Ronald and Gordon Lippitt, Paul Hersey, and Ken Blanchard.

Role versatility is a big part of what makes leaders effective. It’s the ability to brainstorm with

a group of colleagues one minute, and mandate the next; the ability to support a trusted

employee in a time of crisis, then, in the next meeting, lead hard-nosed business negotiations

with a competing organization. Thus, effective leaders adapt their approaches and roles to the

needs of the situation. When a person comes into your office expecting to be heard, to “get

something off my chest,” you are able to listen; and when the next person who comes into

your office suggests action that goes directly against organizational policy, you are able to say

“No.”

There is no best leadership style for every situation. Sometimes a participative style is best.

Sometimes a directive style is required. Use the role continuum presented here to reflect on

and match your role to the leadership requirements in each unique situation that you face as

a leader.

RANGE OF LEADERSHIP ROLES

264 SECTION 9 TOOLS FORLEADING ANDINFLUENCINGOTHERS

• coach/facilitator


• helps others to help themselves


• process helper/advisor


• participative leadership style
  
  
  • content expert
  
  
  • directs others
  
  
  • controls the agenda
  
  
  • authoritarian leadership style
  
  
  
  

Nondirective Directive

Often just

listens; may

give feed-

back, raise

questions,

and help

clarify

concerns.

Provides

suggestions

on how to

deal with

concerns,

which helps

others find

their own

answer.

As a team

member,

participates

in the

problem-

solving

process.

Helps choose

optimal

processes;

frames issues

and suggests

new options.

Helps others

develop new

knowledge

and skills.

Provides

expert

information

and solutions

to others.

Actively

promotes

and sells

solutions to

others.

Protects the

integrity of

the system or

organization

by ensuring

compliance

to standards.

Sounding

Board or

Process

Facilitator Clarifier

Problem-

Solving

Team

Member

Process

Resource

Educator or

Trainer Expert Advocate

Regulator,

Enforcer, or

Governance