Situational Leadership Theory: An Extension and a Test of Global Organizational Prescriptions

Abstract

Hersey and Blanchard’s situational leadership theory (SLT) is among the most popular and cited leadership theories in both academia and executive training programs. While it has been very popular due to its widespread application, its application under different organizational contingencies remains under-researched. Hersey and Blanchard have explained the role of follower’s maturity in adopting the most appropriate leadership style. However, this chapter is aimed at exploring the conceptual linkages of situational leadership theory with three key organizational contingencies, namely, stages of organizational growth, organizational structure, and organizational culture, and suggests an appropriate leadership style depending on these organizational contingencies. Thus, the authors have suggested that further research and empirical tests can be carried out to validate these propositions, following which this new updated version of SLT can be applied in the organizational context.