Have you ever felt micromanaged by a leader? Or left high and dry because they didn't provide you with enough information to successfully do your job?

As a leader, it's important to understand different communication styles and how they impact the success and development of your team.

The Situational Learning approach by Ken Blanchard explores 4 leadership communication styles

• Directing

• Supporting

• Coaching

• Delegating

Know how to use each style and when it's appropriate!

Leadership Style — High direction and low support.

Leaders who direct:

• Teach often

• Set clear expectations

• Check in frequently

Learning Stage — Team members with low competence and high commitment.

Best suited for a beginner who is:

• Excited

• Inexperienced

• Nervous

Leadership Style — High direction and high support.

Leaders who support:

• Support the learner's journey

• Help problem-solve

• Explain the whys behind processes and decision-making

Learning Stage — Team members with low to some competence and low commitment.

Best suited for the disillusioned learner who is:

• Still learning

• Overwhelmed

• Frustrated

Leadership Style — Low direction and high support.

Leaders who coach:

• Encourage

• Ask how they can help

• Create space for the learner to discover their own insights

Learning Stage — Team members with moderate to high competence and variable commitment.

Best suited for the capable/cautious performer who is:

• Incentive driven

• Sufficient in their role

• Wavering

Leadership Style — low direction and low support.

Leaders who delegate:

• Trust their team member's choices

• Challenge them to grow

• Acknowledge their team's contributions to the business

Learning Stage — Team members with high competence and high commitment.

Best suited for the independent expert who is:

• Tenured in their role

• Efficient

• Confident

Adapting your leadership communication style to suit the specific learning stages of your team can elevate their experience, team morale, and business success.