MSLD 511 - Module 3 - Directive and Supportive Behaviors - Madeline Campbell


Ken Blanchard said in his article Situational Leadership (2008), “Effective leaders adapt their style according to the development level of the people they are managing” (p. 19). While there are many avenues in which I practice leadership in my life, there are two that are a part of my everyday operations. In their 1981 article Management by Grid Principles or Situationalism: Which? Robert Blake and Jane Mouton muse that, “…the exercise of leadership is controlled by the situation. Because no two situations are alike their conclusion is that there is no “one best” leadership style on which to base practice or behavior” (p. 440). I practice directive leadership in my day to day role at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, but I utilize supportive leadership in my relationship with my husband. 

Directive behavior is defined as, “[behaviors that] help group members accomplish goals by giving directions, establishing goals and methods of evaluation, setting timelines, defining roles…” (Northouse, p. 94, 2016). To provide a background of my daily situation, high-school students and families often come to tour the university and be “counseled” by an admission counselor to have their questions answered. These campus tours and prospective student counsels are divided amongst the admissions counselors based on a monthly schedule.

The implementation of directive leadership is two-part: First, I work with the student employees who act as assistants to the admissions office, fielding phone calls and handling front desk work. I inform them where to take the guest families, when to begin tours etc. and how to divide up larger groups. When we have multiple large groups scheduled for one day our day begins to look like a puzzle, needing to be organized perfectly to make sure every operation meshes.  Second, I assign my colleagues families to meet with and counsel. Typical communication avenues are email and in-person, depending on the situation and relevant information.

“Supportive behavior is the extent to which you engage in two-way communication, listen, provide support and encouragement, facilitate interaction and involve people in decision making. Three words define supportive behaviors: praise, listen and facilitate” (Blanchard, K. p. 19, 2008). I practice supportive leadership in my day to day life with my husband, Colton. We have only been married a quick 3 years, however, we have found that encouraging and supportive communication is essential to living the life that we are both striving for. We both attempt to be open when communicating about specific decisions, whether it involve finances, church, families, work-life balance etc. We both try and facilitate an environment in which the other feels heard and supported. This type of supportive leadership style, much like the directive leadership style, is a wok in progress for me. While I do not think I will ever master either leadership style, effective, moving leadership is something I strive for daily in my work and home life.


References
Blake, R. R., & Mouton, J. S. (1981). Management by Grid® Principles or Situationalism: Which? Group & Organization Studies,6(4), 439-455. doi:10.1177/105960118100600404
Blanchard, K. (2008). Situational Leadership. Leadership Excellence,25(5), 19. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice. Los Angeles, Calif.: SAGE.


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