SLII IFC cheat sheet

Situational Leadership® II (SLII®)

• SLII® is built on two axes: directive behavior (what, how, when, who) and supportive behavior (praise, listening, involving, facilitating); the four leadership styles are plotted on this two-by-two grid.

• Development level is task-specific and person-specific: an individual can be D1 on one goal, D3 on another, and D4 on a third at the same time.

• D1 = low competence, high commitment (enthusiastic beginner); D2 = low-to-some competence, low commitment (disillusioned learner); D3 = moderate-to-high competence, variable commitment (capable but cautious performer); D4 = high competence, high commitment (self-reliant achiever).

• Matching rule: S1 Directing pairs with D1; S2 Coaching pairs with D2; S3 Supporting pairs with D3; S4 Delegating pairs with D4.

• S1 Directing = high directive, low supportive (structure, supervise, decide). S2 Coaching = high directive, high supportive (explain why, solicit input, still decide). S3 Supporting = low directive, high supportive (share decisions, facilitate, reassure). S4 Delegating = low directive, low supportive (transfer responsibility, monitor at agreed checkpoints).

• Competence is demonstrated skill and knowledge for a specific goal; commitment is motivation plus confidence for that same goal. Both are assessed by observation and dialogue, not by personality or seniority.

• Development level is dynamic in both directions: a D4 who loses access or context can regress to D3, and a D2 who gains a win can move toward D3; leaders re-diagnose rather than assume a permanent label.

• When a leader over-supervises a D4 the predictable outcome is disengagement or resistance; when a leader under-supervises a D1 the predictable outcome is failure and loss of confidence.

• SLII® is a shared responsibility model: the leader diagnoses in dialogue and the follower is encouraged to state the direction and support they need, so the conversation itself is part of the method.