Situational Leadership(r) the Model for Leading Others, Navigating Change, and Unlocking Performance

Every leader has been there. You give clear direction, and people still hesitate. You try to empower, but performance drops. You ask questions and try to collaborate, yet confidence and engagement don’t grow. What works in one moment somehow falls completely flat in another.

These frustrations point to a costly assumption many leaders make: that your natural leadership approach is always effective.

The Situational Leadership® Model challenges this assumption, demonstrating how leaders are successful when they adapt their approach to the specific situation and the person in it.

Drawing on more than fifty years of research and real-world application, the Situational Leadership® Model offers a practical, human-centered framework for navigating that gap. The framework concentrates on the two areas where leaders have the greatest opportunity to make an impact: the situation and the follower.

By clarifying the task, assessing an individual’s ability and willingness, and adapting leadership behavior accordingly, leaders can respond with the right style at the right time.

This book brings the enduring effectiveness of the Situational Leadership® Model into today’s complex, fast-moving workplace. Through clear explanations and actionable guidance, the book serves as a practical guide to everyday leadership moments: leading others, navigating change, and increasing performance.

The result is intentional, adaptable leadership that meets people where they are, helps them take the next step, and creates lasting impact.

Sam Shriver is the executive vice president at The Center for Leadership Studies and a proud graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy. He received his MBA from Pepperdine University and his PhD from North Carolina State University. He has been a contributor to the training industry for more than forty-five years. Situational Leadership® is his fifth book. He currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, is an active member of the Legatus organization, and reports to six grandchildren.

Suzie Bishop is the vice president of product development at The Center for Leadership Studies, where she drives innovative and experiential learning solutions to better equip leaders for the modern workplace. She is an expert in the Situational Leadership® framework, a member of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches community, and a columnist for Training Industry Magazine. She was recognized as an Elliott Masie 30 Under 30 leader.