**Adapting Leadership Styles in School Leadership: Scenarios for Situational Leadership in Education**

Certainly! Here is an example of how a principal might apply different leadership styles, drawing from Situational Leadership Theory, in various scenarios at the Foundation Phase level. Remember to include proper citations and references as per academic writing standards. --- **Situational Leadership in Foundation Phase Schools: Scenarios and Application** (Sample total: 10 marks) **1. Directing/Telling Style** *Scenario:* A newly appointed Grade 1 teacher is unfamiliar with the school’s phonics program and routines. *Application:* The principal provides clear instructions, models lessons, and closely monitors progress. *Rationale:* When staff are inexperienced, high direction and low support are appropriate (Hersey, Blanchard, & Johnson, 2012). *(2 marks)* **2. Coaching/Selling Style** *Scenario:* A Grade 2 teacher is implementing a new literacy program but lacks confidence. *Application:* The principal works collaboratively, offers feedback, and encourages questions, while still providing direction. *Rationale:* For staff who are willing but need skills, high direction and socio-emotional support are needed (Northouse, 2022). *(2 marks)* **3. Supporting/Participating Style** *Scenario:* An experienced Grade 3 team proposes a new approach for continuous assessment. *Application:* The principal facilitates discussions, lets teachers lead planning, shows support, and builds consensus. *Rationale:* When competence is high but confidence may fluctuate, supportive leadership fosters initiative (Hersey et al., 2012). *(2 marks)* **4. Delegating Style** *Scenario:* A seasoned group of Foundation Phase teachers initiates a peer-mentoring program. *Application:* The principal grants autonomy, trusts the team to implement the plan, and intervenes only when needed. *Rationale:* For highly competent and committed staff, the leader can delegate tasks (Northouse, 2022). *(2 marks)* **5. Crisis Situation: Directive Leadership** *Scenario:* In response to a sudden outbreak of illness, teachers require immediate instructions on health protocols. *Application:* The principal uses a directive style to ensure clear, timely actions. *Rationale:* Directive styles are effective in urgent, high-stakes situations regardless of staff competency (Goleman, 2000). *(2 marks)* --- **References** - Goleman, D. (2000). *Leadership that gets results*. Harvard Business Review, 78(2), 78-90. - Hersey, P., Blanchard, K. H., & Johnson, D. E. (2012). *Management of Organizational Behavior: Leading Human Resources* (10th ed.). Pearson. - Northouse, P. G. (2022). *Leadership: Theory and Practice* (9th ed.). Sage Publications. --- *Each scenario exemplifies a different leadership style as per Situational Leadership Theory, responding to the competence and commitment of staff and contextual demands in primary school leadership (Hersey et al., 2012; Northouse, 2022).*