Lead with a different style for differing situations

The course is called SLII and is based on a Situational Leadership model created in 1969 by Ken Blanchard and Paul Hersey. 

The basic model is quite straightforward. There are Leaders and there are people to be led, called Followers.

The leaders are separated into four "behaviours", from S1 to S4.

S1 leaders are Directing/Telling leaders. They announce the strategy and follow the progress in minute detail. S2 leaders are Coaching/Selling leaders; they still define roles and tasks but seek inputs from the follower. S3 leaders are Supporting/Participating leaders, who pass day-to-day decisions to the follower and S4 leaders are Delegating leaders, who are involved in problem solving but let the control rest with the follower.

The Follower has a Readiness Level (recently changed from Development Level), R1 to R4. R1s are Unable and Insecure or Unwilling, R2s; Unable but Confident or Willing; R3s are Able but Insecure or Unwilling and R4s are Able and Confident and Willing.

Some of the learning is: First, every leader has one "natural" leadership style. Second, it is the leader who is responsible for changing the leadership style depending on the situation - no one style is optimal and all are required. Third, optimum performance is achieved when natural leadership styles match a general readiness level. Finally, a self assessment of your style may be different from your subordinate's assessment, as you may not be able to practise your preferred style because of organisational limitations.

But it is not all science. Ken Blanchard is a founding associate of  The Ken Blanchard Companies and his job title is listed as "chief spiritual officer".  Well, if all else fails …