Hersey & Blanchard Situational Leadership Model F4: The curvilinear matching rule: as readiness rises, reduce task behaviour, then reduce relationship behaviour

What does F4 require?

The curve through the four style quadrants gives the high-probability combination of task and relationship behaviour for each point on the readiness continuum below it: as readiness increases the leader moves from high task and low relationship (S1) to high task and high relationship (S2), to high relationship and low task (S3), to low task and low relationship (S4). Strong direction is right for low readiness; gains in readiness by somewhat unready people are rewarded with more positive reinforcement and support; at high readiness the leader keeps reducing control and also reduces support, because autonomy now matters more and leaving people alone is how trust is shown. The structure does not disappear: it becomes internally imposed, and the curve bends back. The 1969 article illustrates the cycle with the parent and child, the research and development project and the teacher and student, and notes that job design such as an assembly line can stop workers from ever reaching the backward-bending part.