Which leadership approach best balances task focus with member development?

• A. Autocratic leadership.
• B. Laissez-faire leadership.
• C. Situational leadership that adapts to followers' readiness.
• D. Charismatic leadership without structure.

Answer: (C)

Balancing task focus with member development comes from adjusting how you lead based on what the followers can do and are ready to do. Situational leadership does exactly that by tailoring your approach to the team’s readiness and shifting between directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating as needed.

When people are new or unsure (low readiness), you direct the work and provide close guidance while also teaching the skills they need; this keeps the task on track and helps them grow. As they gain competence and confidence (higher readiness), you move toward coaching and supporting, offering encouragement and input but allowing more autonomy. When readiness is high, you delegate decisions and responsibilities, maintaining accountability while letting the team manage the task themselves. In this way, the approach ensures both accomplishing the task and developing the team over time.

Autocratic leadership focuses mainly on task with little development, which can stall growth. Laissez-faire leaves the team largely without guidance, often undermining progress. Charismatic leadership can inspire, but without structure and development, tasks may lack clarity and followers’ skills may not grow. The situational approach uniquely balances both aims by matching style to follower readiness.