How Flexible Are You?

Let me first explain that the image we are looking at and its colors do not signify that of a stoplight. Green does not always mean GO and red doesn't always mean STOP. The same dichotomy occurs with the terms good and bad as related to leadership. The Hersey & Blanchard Situational Leadership Model is just that... SITUATIONAL.

So, I pose the question of how flexible are you, not because I'm into yoga, but because in life and in leadership, if you're rigid let's face it, you'll snap. And we've all been there at one point or another.

What this model identifies are the situational opportunities for out specific personalities and leadership techniques to excel, and how identifying the situation and the individuals involved can create an all around pleasant experience... or the latter. And we've all been apart of situations where the leader and the situation did not vibe... So from this model I am going to identify two situations that help debunk this dichotomy of leadership styles.

A manager at my old job came onto the property about 8 months after I had been there. She came into the job in a supervisor role, also coming from an entirely different social location and clearly did not get the property or Cali Livin' Vibe. Her rough East Coast personality rubbed guests and employees the wrong way.

Again, remember I had been there 8 months, was excelling and receiving praise from my superiors and guests and here this individual came in guns blazing. Her Theory X assumptions that I was otherwise incompetent and her not knowing the property, clientele or how we operated led her to a very aggressive directing role which did not fly with me. Ultimately this resulted in us butting heads and conflict arising that shouldn't have despite numerous conversations of my capabilities.

On the other hand, I am currently in my 498 internship where my work abilities and commitment are extremely high. I have a fair amount of learning to do in this new position but have proved myself worthy of autonomy and responsibility. My owner and managers have done a great job in realizing this and have been flexible in their leadership style with me. For the most part, my superiors flex between areas S4 and S3 (see chart) and have valued what I bring into the job and specific tasks, but also do a great job of grooming me for success in other areas of the business I am eager to learn. I feel very supported and valued. They respect me and the knowledge and work ethic I have brought with me and are continuing to cultivate a successful environment for me with their company. Ideally, they are looking to hire me on full-time after graduation and I enjoy this bus and the direction it's headed, I think I'll stay on.

#situation