Leadership Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

If there’s one truth every great leader eventually learns, it’s this:

No single leadership style works in every situation.

People are different.
Challenges are different.
Moments are different.

So naturally…
your approach must be different too.

We’ve all met the “one trick pony” at work — brilliant at one thing, but completely lost when the situation changes. Their go-to tool is always the same. And when every situation looks like a nail, they start swinging their hammer at everything.

That doesn’t just fail — it frustrates everyone around them.

Rule #28: Adapt Your Style to the Situation

Effective leadership is flexible leadership.

Different people need different levels of direction, support, reassurance, and clarity. That’s why adaptable leaders thrive — they adjust, they listen, and they choose the approach that fits the moment.

One of the easiest frameworks for understanding this is Ken Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Model, which breaks people into four stages of development:

• D1: Excited but inexperienced

• D2: Learning but discouraged

• D3: Skilled but unsure

• D4: Skilled and committed

And for each stage, there’s a leadership style that fits best:

• S1 – Directive: Clear instructions

• S2 – Coaching: Guidance + encouragement

• S3 – Supporting: Less direction, more confidence-building

• S4 – Delegating: Step back and let them shine

When you match the style to the person, things just work.

A Quick Walkthrough

• A new hire full of enthusiasm? They need clear direction to get started.

• A team member losing motivation? They need coaching, not pressure.

• A capable employee unsure about their broader role? They need support, not micromanagement.

• A fully committed, high-performing team member? They need space — and your trust.

Good leadership is knowing which version of you each person needs.

What About “Ask, Don’t Tell”?

In most situations, asking questions works beautifully.
But in two scenarios, telling becomes necessary:

• When your team is inexperienced

• When there’s a crisis

In those moments, clarity saves time — and sometimes the whole ship.

A strong leader knows when to switch gears.

Action Item 28

Look at your entire team this week.

• Identify where each person falls in the D1–D4 scale.

• Then ask yourself honestly:
  “Am I using the leadership style they actually need?”

You might discover the issue isn’t their performance — it’s the mismatch between their development level and your approach.