Situational Leadership Theory proposes leaders should change their leadership style based on what?

• A. The followers
• B. The followers' age
• C. The task difficulty
• D. The organizational culture

Answer: (A)

Situational Leadership Theory centers on adapting leadership style to the followers’ readiness to perform a task. Readiness means how able (skills and knowledge) and how willing (motivation and confidence) the followers are. A leader assesses where the team stands and then matches their approach: directing when followers lack ability and motivation, coaching when they have some ability but need guidance, supporting when they are capable but require encouragement, and delegating when they are ready to take full responsibility. The emphasis is on the followers’ level of readiness, not their age, organizational culture, or the task’s difficulty alone (though task demands can influence how much guidance is needed).