Swimming or Sinking?

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. -Thomas Jefferson I am sure at some point we will discuss together the Situational Leadership Theory, which speaks of the leader’s foundational need to be completely flexible in matters of style. These theories posit that each leadership circumstance, culture, and situation is intricately complex and variant from every other. If this concept is taken at face value, it would seem therefore that the leader has a great need to read each situation and context well in order to employ the most beneficial leadership model possible in that circumstance. Many of our classmates have articulated a similar sentiment when discussing leadership. When faced with this situation, the leader should be more of this. When faced with that situation however, the leader then needs to be that. In a more post-modern world, this theory is more acceptable due to our contextual, situational and circumstantial thinking that seems pervasive in today’s culture. It does beg the question however, is every situation, context, and culture truly different? This is the logical grounds upon which the theory stands, as is evidenced as well by Thomas Jefferson’s rumination on the subject. Style is not important, just as long as it serves the purposes most necessitated by the circumstances. But in reality, are all styles therefore as morally, ethically, and efficiently neutral as this theory seems to advocate? I am not sure they are. Perhaps Jefferson, and Situational Leadership Theory, has created a false dichotomy.