Criticism of Situational Leadership Model

Criticism of Situational Leadership Model

For me Hersey-Blanchard have, badly, mixed the Managerial Grid and the Tannenbaum-Schmidt Continuum.
Some descriptions are illogical:

1. Coaching is not a management ‘style’ and doesn't correlate with “Telling”. I consider that the 'Manager' role includes leading (management activities are to do with the task aspects [planning, organising &c.] while leading activities are to do with the people aspects [communicating, motivating &c.] These need to be balanced (Blake-Mouton, Adair et al).
2. Although the SL model does distinguish between "low", "some" and "high" competence, it doesn't distinguish trained workers from experienced workers. The S1 aspect relates to Trained Worker Standard but the S2/3 aspects seem confused over the Experienced Worker Standard.
   TRAINED WORKER STANDARD is when the person has been trained and is 'competent' in how to do 'it' while concentrating on and thinking about 'it' but not yet sufficiently practised/experienced to do it "unthinkingly".
   EXPERIENCED WORKER STANDARD. When the person has the full (kinesthetic-'muscle sense) 'feel' of 'it' they are at the Experienced Worker Standard. In this sense it refers to physical activities but the concept is also applicable to thinking (managerial, management, leadership) activities in which routines and processes are carried out as a matter of "second nature". For example sub-consciously adapting ones behaviour to the situation and the experience of the person you are working (managing-leading) with.

		Michael Horwitz Professor, United States
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		Jaap de Jonge Editor, Netherlands
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		Michael Horwitz Professor, United States
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		Maurice Hogarth Consultant, United Kingdom
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		Steve G
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		Maurice Hogarth Consultant, United Kingdom
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