Situational Leadership Theory
A Theory Worth Pondering

Situational leadership theory is actually a pretty easy concept to grasp: all it says is that there are different leadership styles and there is no one universal style that is most effective.

Instead, one leader is appropriate for one goal, while another leader may be a better fit to achieve another. Inversely, the President of the United States in one administration might be just as adequate as the President in another administration, even if each president’s leadership style is entirely different.

You may have to be a leader while enjoying a night out with friends (who's going to pick what place to eat at or help to make everyone feel comfortable?) or when eating dinner with the family (who's going to guide the conversation so that it doesn't get too heated?).

Situational leadership theory applies to all sort of scenarios such as the ones we’ve mentioned.

So, what did Dr. Orison Swett Marden think of situation leadership theory?

Dr. Marden was the first self-help author in America and when he was writing books in the early 20th century, he realized this theory before it ever had a name.

To Dr. Marden, everyone has the potential to be a great leader. He consistently brought up this notion, in books like “You Can, But Will You” for example.

Dr. Marden believed that those who chose to follow, instead of lead, weren't doing it because they didn't have the “leadership gene” – but really because they didn't think they had it.

Dr. Marden certainly didn't assume everyone could be a historic leader, but he did assume everyone had their own unique abilities to achieve greatness in their own unique ways, and consequently – they all had the ability to lead and inspire others.

To elaborate on our situational leadership theory: some leaders are more aggressive and controlling, others are more laid back, while others – the best ones usually – change their style often, adapting to different situations.

What kind of leader are you? Maybe you don't think you're a leader at all, but chances are you just haven't tapped into your inner strengths.

If you want to learn more about how to be a great leader, Dr. Marden is one of your best resources. You can listen to five of his books online with the Leadership Series For Successful Living today.

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