Hersey-Blanchard SLT 3 CORE LEADER CAPABILITIES + style application. (1) DIAGNOSE - the ability to assess follower readiness/development level for a SPECIFIC TASK; requires (a) understanding of competence + commitment dimensions; (b) data gathering (observation + conversation + performance metrics + self-report); (c) avoiding bias + halo effects + assumptions; (d) revisiting diagnosis as readiness changes. Common errors: assuming readiness is person-level + not task-level; assuming D4 across all tasks; misreading commitment as competence + vice versa. (2) FLEX (FLEXIBILITY) - the ability to use ALL FOUR LEADERSHIP STYLES comfortably + appropriately; few leaders naturally use all 4; most have preferred + comfortable styles + struggle with others; flexibility requires (a) self-awareness of natural style; (b) deliberate practice of less-comfortable styles; (c) feedback + coaching to expand range; (d) understanding when each style is appropriate. Common errors: overusing preferred style across all readiness levels; under-using S1 (perceived as harsh) or S4 (perceived as abandonment). (3) PARTNER (PARTNERING FOR PERFORMANCE) - the ability to reach explicit AGREEMENT with the follower on (a) the task + goals + outcomes; (b) the leader style match given the follower's readiness; (c) feedback + check-in cadence; (d) escalation + support if difficulties arise; (e) when to revisit + adjust. Partnering shifts the model from leader-imposed to leader-follower-collaborative + builds buy-in + ownership. STYLE APPLICATION: combining the 3 capabilities + executing in practice; requires real-time diagnosis + style flex + ongoing partnering conversations; effective practice requires sustained leader development + 1:1 conversation cadence + feedback culture + 360-degree assessment + executive coaching support. PRACTICE CASES: most situations involve multiple followers + multiple tasks + multiple readiness levels simultaneously; leader must triage + sequence + delegate across complex contexts.
The graph holds this control, the 0 it maps to, and the evidence behind each claim, over MCP and REST.