The situational approach to leadership theory is centered on the concept that a leader’s style should change to meet the changing needs of their followers (Northouse 2016, p. 94). It advocates four distinct styles: directing, coaching, supporting and delegating, which can be applied contingent on followers developmental level.
Ms Abdel-Magied actively demonstrates a supportive style through her two entrepreneurial ventures, Youth Without Borders and Mumtaza. Both act as a framework for members to achieve their own ambitions and goals. Mumtaza provides opportunities for its members to reach a broader audience than they may do as individuals.
Her supportive style demonstrates the consistency of Abdel-Magied’s leadership. Supporting women from all walks of life to do the things they want to do, without being hampered by unconscious bias, discrimination or a lack of opportunity.
However, she still has space for development. After recent disrespectful comments from TV presenter Rowan Dean about the Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner (that also targeted Abdel-Magied personally), she posted the following comments on Twitter.
It cannot be up to the marginalised alone.
— Yassmin Abdel-Magied (@yassmin_a) July 10, 2017
Abdel-Magied is in a position to use her platform to help allies understand how they can step in, and how they can be helpful without further fueling the negative debate. Development of directive, coaching and delegative styles would allow Abdel-Magied to address this situation with a alternative responses.
Continued on the next page – Improvements.