In other words, situational leadership is a practical model designed to help leaders be more effective in their interactions with other people. It is based on an interplay among three factors: 1) the amount of guidance and direction a leader gives; 2) the amount of socio-emotional support a leader provides; and 3) the readiness level that followers exhibit in performing a specific task, function or objective.
While Fiedler's theory is widely regarded in the literature as a highly viable theory of leadership, William E. Rothschild offered an alternative description of the kinds of leaders that exist that is linked to situational leadership theory. This analyst claims that there are three factors that influence the type of leader best suited to any situation: 1) the dynamics of change; 2) the degree of uncertainty and position of the company and/or industry; and 3) the life cycle of the business or industry.
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