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ACCA Strategic Professional · Strategic Business Leader · Qualities of leadership

Maria manages a newly formed team of graduate trainees who are enthusiastic but have no experience of the firm's audit software. Using Hersey and Blanchard's situational leadership model, which style is most appropriate at this stage?

A directing style is appropriate because the trainees have low competence but high enthusiasm. Hersey and Blanchard's model matches low-readiness followers with high task direction and little relationship emphasis. Delegating would fail because the trainees lack the skills to work independently with the software.

  1. ADelegating, because the trainees are enthusiastic
  2. BDirecting, with high task focus and low relationship focusCorrect
  3. CParticipating, with shared decision making
  4. DSupporting, with low task focus and high relationship focus

Explanation

Trainees with low competence but high commitment are at the lowest readiness level. The model prescribes a directing (telling) style: clear instructions and close supervision. Delegating suits capable, committed followers, so it would leave these trainees without needed guidance.

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