What Is Situational Leadership, And Why Should Your Team Embrace It?

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Apr 24, 2025

Feeling hesitant to lead? You're not alone! Discover the concept of situational leadership and learn how anyone can take charge and make an impact, regardless of their title. Explore key mindsets from Liz Wiseman's book that empower team members to step up and adapt. Leadership isn't just for the top; it's about leveraging your unique abilities and providing solutions. Tune in to discover how a flexible approach can transform your team dynamics and foster success in uncertain times.

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INSIGHT

Everyone Can Lead Situationally

Situational leadership means stepping up based on your unique ability where you provide direction and strategic solutions.
Leadership is not just for those at the top; anyone can lead situationally in their expertise area.

ANECDOTE

Executive Assistant as Leader

Shannon trusts her executive assistant Katrina to fully manage her schedule and relationships, showcasing leadership in that role.
This partnership allows Shannon to focus on her strengths while Katrina leads in her area of expertise.

ADVICE

Five Keys to Situational Leadership

To be a situational leader, do the job needed, take ownership, adapt flexibly, make work easier for others, and finish with quality.
These behaviors create impact players who lead effectively without seeking permanent leadership roles.

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Do you hesitate to step into a leadership role, even when you know you have something valuable to contribute? You’re not alone! Many people hold back, think it’s not their job, or believe they lack the authority. But leadership isn’t just for the top of the pyramid. In this episode, Shannon Waller discusses what “situational leadership” is and how you can make a real impact in your organization, no matter your title. Imagine being the go-to person in your area of expertise, confidently guiding your team through uncertainty and change. Listen now for the five mindsets in team members from Liz Wiseman’s book Impact Players that are keys to developing situational leadership.

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Show Notes:

Strategic Coach^® defines leadership as:
1. Providing direction
2. Maximizing opportunities
3. Providing strategies and solutions
Everyone has an area of expertise, or Unique Ability^®, where we can contribute, create value, and provide leadership.
The executive assistant in charge of an entrepreneur’s schedule is in charge of their entrepreneur’s daily activities and can provide leadership on managing time and relationships.
Five key points from Impact Players by Liz Wiseman:
1. Do the job that’s needed, not what’s assigned.
2. Step up and take ownership.
3. Adapt and stay flexible.
4. Make work easier for others.
5. Deliver with a finish line mentality
Casting Not Hiring’s 4 x 4 Casting Tool^™ measures four quadrants of success:
1. Performance: being alert, curious, responsive, and resourceful
2. Results: what is faster, easier, cheaper, or has a bigger impact
3. Being A Hero: four projects to focus on next quarter
4. What Drives You/Others Crazy: behaviors you want to avoid
Permission to speak up and make suggestions is not saying, “My way is the right way.”

Resources:

Unique Ability)

PRINT^®: Take the PRINT survey).

Abundance 360, by Peter Diamandis

Superpowered: The Secret That Helps Every Entrepreneur Eliminate the Suck, 10X Their Impact, and Have More Fun in Work and Life by Shannon Waller, Ryan Cassin, and Steven Neuner

Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact by Liz Wiseman