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Public Adminstration QUESTION #9571
Question 1
Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Model argues that no single leadership style is universally effective. A newly recruited batch of CSS probationers arrives at the Civil Services Academy with high motivation but limited knowledge of administrative procedures. According to the model, which leadership style should their instructors/supervisors adopt?
  • High relationship, low task — focusing on building personal rapport and confidence while allowing probationers to discover procedures independently
  • High task, high relationship — providing detailed procedural guidance while also being supportive and building confidence during the transition phase✔️
  • Low task, low relationship — allowing the motivated probationers to find their own way since high motivation implies readiness
  • High task, low relationship — focusing entirely on procedural knowledge transfer without social support since probationers already have intrinsic motivation
Correct Answer Explanation
In Hersey and Blanchard's model, 'readiness' combines ability and willingness. Newly recruited probationers have high willingness (motivation) but low ability (unfamiliar with procedures) — placing them in Phase 2 (low ability, high willingness). The model prescribes high task (they need procedural guidance) and high relationship (they need confidence-building support). Phase 1 (high task, low relationship) applies when both ability and willingness are low.