JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018
Nursing Management & leadership
Easy

The leadership style developed by Kenneth Blanchard and Paul Hersey based on task and relationship behavior is known as?

Appeared in: JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018

Explanation

  • Situational leadership is the model developed by Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard.
  • The theory is based on the interplay of two dimensions: task behavior (giving direction) and relationship behavior (providing support).
  • Its core principle is that a leader's effectiveness depends on adapting their style to the performance readiness (maturity) of their followers for a specific task.
  • The model proposes four leadership styles (Telling, Selling, Participating, Delegating) to match four levels of follower readiness.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: Effective leadership is a general term describing the successful outcome of applying a leadership style; it is not a specific theoretical model itself.
  • Option B: Charismatic leadership focuses on the leader's personal charm, personality, and ability to inspire devotion in followers. It is not primarily defined by task and relationship behaviors and is associated with theorists like Max Weber and Robert House.
  • Option D: Transformational leadership, associated with James MacGregor Burns and Bernard Bass, focuses on inspiring and motivating followers to transcend their self-interest for a shared vision and the good of the organization.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Leadership Theories in Nursing Management as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • A nurse manager uses Situational Leadership to manage a diverse team. For a new graduate nurse, the manager might use a 'Telling' style (high task, low relationship) for a new procedure, providing clear, step-by-step instructions.
  • For an experienced charge nurse, the same manager might use a 'Delegating' style (low task, low relationship), trusting them to manage the unit's workflow autonomously.
  • This adaptive approach improves staff development, job satisfaction, and patient care outcomes by ensuring each nurse receives the appropriate level of direction and support.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the key proper nouns in the question stem: 'Kenneth Blanchard' and 'Paul Hersey'. Recognize these as the names of leadership theorists.
  • Next, identify the conceptual keywords that define their theory: 'task behavior' and 'relationship behavior'.
  • Scan the options provided, looking for the specific leadership model associated with these theorists and concepts.
  • Recall or deduce that Hersey and Blanchard are the founders of the Situational Leadership theory.
  • Eliminate the other options: 'Effective leadership' is a general term, while 'Charismatic' and 'Transformational' leadership are distinct theories associated with different theorists and concepts.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Leadership Theories in Nursing Management
  • Stem keywords: leadership style, Kenneth Blanchard, Paul Hersey, task behavior, relationship behavior
  • Lead-in keywords: is known as
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QuQptsEFnSS-BnSA7S0YkR

Reference Book

E6 Nursing_Management_and_leadership_Johny_Kutty_JosephCbs_Publishers (pp 16-364 of 374) p. 158-160

E6 Textbook of Nursing Management and Leadership I. Clemen — Subpart A (pp 26-327 of 982) p. 70-72

Practise the full JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.

More Organisational Behaviour & Human Relations Questions

More JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018 Questions