Hersey-Blanchard SLT 4 FOLLOWER READINESS (Hersey) / DEVELOPMENT LEVELS (Blanchard SLII). READINESS is a function of (a) ABILITY/COMPETENCE - task-specific knowledge + skill + experience; (b) WILLINGNESS/COMMITMENT - confidence + motivation + commitment to do the task. DEVELOPMENT LEVELS (per Blanchard SLII, with descriptive names): (1) D1 ENTHUSIASTIC BEGINNER - LOW competence + HIGH commitment. New to task; eager + motivated but lacks skills + knowledge. Needs direction + clear expectations + structure. Pairs with S1 Directing. (2) D2 DISILLUSIONED LEARNER - SOME competence + LOW commitment. Has tried + experienced difficulty + frustration; competence has grown but commitment dropped due to challenges. Needs direction PLUS support + encouragement. Pairs with S2 Coaching. (3) D3 CAPABLE BUT CAUTIOUS - MODERATE-TO-HIGH competence + VARIABLE commitment. Has skills but lacks confidence + may have variable motivation; afraid to act without guidance. Needs support more than direction; needs encouragement + recognition. Pairs with S3 Supporting. (4) D4 SELF-RELIANT ACHIEVER - HIGH competence + HIGH commitment. Has skills + experience + motivation; can operate independently + take initiative. Needs minimal direction + low intervention. Pairs with S4 Delegating. READINESS PROGRESSION: most learners follow D1 -> D2 -> D3 -> D4 pattern but progression varies by individual + task + context; REGRESSION to earlier readiness is possible when context changes (new technology + organizational change + personal crisis). DIAGNOSIS: leaders diagnose follower readiness for the SPECIFIC TASK at hand + adjust style accordingly; same follower may be D1 for one task + D4 for another; readiness is task-specific not person-specific. ASSESSMENT: CLS LEAD instruments + Blanchard SLII assessments help leaders + followers identify readiness/development levels for specific tasks + identify style match/mismatch.
The graph holds this control, the 0 it maps to, and the evidence behind each claim, over MCP and REST.