Transforming a Worst Nightmare Leader to a

Situational Leader

Dave Neuman

Agile2012, Dallas TX -- August 15, 2012@daveneuman -- http://daveneuman.com/

We have great leaders...

And we have our worst nightmares...

Let’s play a game...

Leadersto explore our worst nightmare...

My Worst Nightmare

Step 1. Imagine

Step 2. Draw

Step 3. Present

My Worst Nightmare Leader...

Purpose / Passion / Vision

Individuals / Personalities

TrustLeader Styles Teamwork

My Leadership Sandwich

SituationalLeadership II

For anyone lookingto help people

accomplish goals

Model for developing

people

4 DevelopmentLevels

4 LeadershipStyles

WHO WHAT

ALL THE TIME!projects, initiatives, practices,

individual development

WHEN

Leadership isan influencing

process

Competence

Commitment

WHY

- Ken Blanchard

SL II - Development Levels

Competence = Task knowledge + transferable skills

Commitment = Motivation + confidence

SL II - Development Levels

Unique to the

individual and task at hand

Diagnosis is a key

skill for a leader

Enthusiastic, Curious, Excited, Inexperienced

Confused, Frustrated, Overwhelmed, Discouraged

Pretty capable, Hesitant, Self-critical, Sometimes Bored

Expert, Self-Reliant, Self-Assured, Independent

Low Competence High Competence

Hig

h C

om

mit

ment

Lo

w C

om

mit

ment

SL II - Development Levels

Unique to the

individual and task at hand

Diagnosis is a key

skill for a leader

Enthusiastic, Curious, Excited, Inexperienced

Confused, Frustrated, Overwhelmed, Discouraged

Pretty capable, Hesitant, Self-critical, Sometimes Bored

Expert, Self-Reliant, Self-Assured, Independent

I'm excited to start my

new assignment

I got it under

control

Oh No! I'm not

sure what I'm doing

here

I'm not

comfortable yet, I might be doing it

wrong

Low Competence High Competence

Hig

h C

om

mit

ment

Low

Co

mm

itm

ent

I need Direction

I need priorities

I need to

know Why am I doing

This?

I need encourage

ment

I need a vote of

confidence

I need more

authority and Challenge

I like autonomy

I need your opinion

SL II - Leadership Styles

SL II - Leadership Styles

Unique to the

individual and task at hand

Flexibility is a key

skill for a leader

Defining, Planning, Teaching, Giving feedback

Exploring, Explaining, Encouraging, Sharing Feedback

Asking/Listening, Facilitating, Collaborating, Encourage Feedback

Acknowledging, Challenging, Empowering, Trusting

High Directive Low Directive

Lo

w S

uppo

rtiv

eHig

h S

uppo

rtiv

e

Defining, Planning, Teaching, Giving feedback

Exploring, Explaining, Encouraging, Sharing Feedback

Asking/Listening, Facilitating, Collaborating, Encourage Feedback

Acknowledging, Challenging, Empowering, Trusting

Just do This...

High Directive Low Directive

Lo

w S

uppo

rtiv

eHig

h S

uppo

rtiv

e THis is why...

Let's decide

together

Thanks for all your effort!

Let me show you

That's close…keep working at

it

What is your recommendation?

Run with this, I

trust you

Keep doing this...

You're doing Great

Ready for a new challenge

?

Excited to start?

still a D1?

still a D2?

still a D3?

still a D4?

SL II - Leadership Styles

Unique to the

individual and task at hand

Flexibility is a key

skill for a leader

Flexibility in Leadership Style There’s no best style...just the right one at

the right time

S1D1S2D2S3D3S4D4

Oversupervision(micro-management)

D3/4 - S1

Undersupervision(thrown to the wolves)

D1/2 - S4

Regression can occurD4 D3 D2

Anti-patterns

Now, what do we do about our nightmare leaders?

How do we help those we’re

coaching / leading?

How do we avoid traps ourselves as

leaders?