Situational Leadership: The Relationships Between Leaders and Followers

Situational Leadership
The Relationships Between

Leaders and Followers
Copyright 2004 The Alaska District Council of the Assemblies of God

History of Leadership Theory
• Beginning in the 20th Century, Leadership
began to be studied seriously
– Focus was primarily on the Leader
– Known as the Great Man theory
• Leadership theory began to broaden its
perspective to include those being led
– Successful leaders in one environment may
not be successful in another environment
• Leadership began to be seen as a
relationship
• Two basic theories emerged
– People are born leaders (Trait perspective)
– Circumstances create leaders - leaders are
more made than born (Process perspective)
• Basically all leadership theory falls into
one of these two perspectives or a
combination of both of them
• Depending on your perspective
– Leadership is only available to a select few
who are naturally gifted
– Leadership is available to all and is a learned
ability
– Leadership is a combination of natural and
learned abilities and skills
Exactly What is Leadership
• Most basic definition of leadership is
“influence”
– If you do not have influence with someone,
you cannot lead them
• Broader definition of leadership is:
Leadership is a process whereby an
individual influences a group of individuals
to achieve a common goal
Leadership is a Process
• Leadership is interactive (two-way) not
linear (one-way)
• Leadership must be viewed as a
relationship that exists between the leader
and the follower
• If there are no followers, there is no leader
Leadership Involves Influence
• Without influence, you cannot be a leader
• Influence comes in a variety of forms
– Force
– Deception
– Manipulation
– Reward/Punishment
– Servanthood/Personal Example
• Influence must be based on more than
positional authority or power
– Positional power vs. Personal Power
WARNING
• Positional power/influence is the lowest
form of power or influence
• In a church setting, there are usually
people with more power/influence than the
pastor, especially at the beginning of
his/her tenure
– Need to learn to influence the influencers
– Generally that is done through positive
relationships
Leadership Occurs in Groups
• Leadership generally affects a group of
people (it must be done in community)
• However, the group of people must have a
common purpose
– You cannot lead a group of people going in
the opposite direction of you
– Establishing corporate mission, values, and
vision is essential in order for group
leadership to take place
Leadership Involves Attention to
Attainable Goals
• Effective leadership must move people
toward a specific goal(s)
– Obviously, these goals must be desirable and
understood by those being led
• Achieving together for the benefit of all is
the ultimate focus of effective leadership
• Effective Christian leaders understand
they cannot attain God-given goals by
themselves (Example of Moses)
The Process of Leadership Involves
Both Followers and Leaders
• One of the most common and widely
recognized approaches to this process is
called Situational Leadership
• The basic premise of this model is that
different situations called for different kinds
or styles of leadership
– Effective leadership is not a one-size-fits-all
approach
– The effective leader must be willing and able
to change her/his style of leadership if the
situation demands it (or at least be cognizant
a different style is needed)
• Situational Leadership grew out of the
awareness and understanding that not
everyone in the group (community) being
led are at the same level of development
and/or, in certain situations, certain styles
of leadership are mandatory
• Effective leaders measure followers’
development levels and the situation
surrounding the community and adjust
their styles of leadership accordingly
Leadership Styles
• Highly Directive Style
– Very authoritative
– High supervision
• Coaching Style
– Less authoritative, more encouraging
– Allows for limited follower input and initiative
– Leader still makes all final decisions
Leadership Styles
• Highly Supportive Style
– Focus is more on the person being led and in
his/her skill development
– Goal is going to be accomplished because
this type of follower is committed to it
– Leader is available but not controlling
• Empowering Style (also know as
Delegating Style)
– Leader is there for support and resource, but
follower is responsible for getting the job done
as she/he sees fit
As a Leader…
• …it is crucial that you understand two
things in regard to Situational Leadership
• First, you must understand your own
predominate style of leadership
• Second, you must understand where your
followers are in their developmental
process
How Does This Relate to Local
Church Leadership?
• Church Growth
– Leader who is very authoritative will work well
with people who are newly saved and
developing in Christ
• However, mature Christians will probably leave for
churches where their gifts and talents can be
encouraged and utilized
– Leader who is very empowering will work well
with mature Christians
• However, developing Christians will struggle and
probably be lost to the church and even the
Kingdom
How Does This Relate to Local
Church Leadership?
• Church Leadership Team
– Senior leader who does not allow or
recognize those with gifts and talent different
or greater than his/her own and does not lead
those people differently will cause conflict or
ineffectiveness within the church
• Mature followers will either leave the church
(leaving a leadership vacuum)…
• …or, they will try to assert their leadership
forcefully (causing conflict and disruption)
Solution
• Utilize the principles of Situational
Leadership
• Lead differently in different situation and
with people of varying maturity
• If you are weak in a leadership style, either
try and improve that style or surround
yourself with someone who is strong in
that style
• Realize that Church Leadership is best
done in Community
– Preferring One Another
– Encouraging One Another
– Building Up One Another
• Church Leadership is best done via
Example
– Example of Christ

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Situational Leadership

The Relationships Between

Copyright 2004 The Alaska District Council of the Assemblies of God

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