Leadership styles can be divided into four main categories: directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating. Each style has its own advantages and disadvantages and is used in different situations. To help you understand each of these four situational leadership styles, let's take a closer look at each one.
Directing Style
The directing style is used when the individual has little to no experience in the task at hand.The leader provides clear instructions and closely monitors the individual's progress. This style is best used when the task is urgent and requires quick results. It is also useful for introducing new concepts or processes to a team.
Coaching Style
The coaching style is used when the individual has already acquired some skills, but they are not fully developed.In addition to the tasks here, we also focus on helping the person improve their skills and deepen the connection and trust between them and the leader. This is the basis for creating a strong commitment in the future.
Supporting Style
This phase occurs naturally after training. Here we can also draw parallels with sports teams.At this stage, team members are already competent in their abilities, but their performance is somewhat inconsistent and they are not very committed to the team's ultimate goal (for example, winning, testing all errors, delivering the software on time). The leader's job here is to provide support and guidance to help them reach their goals.
Delegating Style
This is the final phase in which we have people with strong skills and a strong commitment. They are able to work and progress on their own.The leader's job here is to monitor progress and remain part of some decisions. What I've seen people who I think are delegating do is, above all, to reaffirm the decisions made by the team. In conclusion, situational leadership styles are an important tool for any leader. By understanding each style and its advantages and disadvantages, leaders can choose the best approach for any given situation.
Understanding these four styles will help you become a better leader and make better decisions in any given situation.
