The other day, I found myself walking my bike down a trail, five miles from home, with a flat tire. I was frustrated with myself. Hours earlier, I had considered grabbing the hand pump from my husband’s bike but decided against it.
There I was, with a spare tube and tools but unable to use them. I was on a busy bike trail and figured that if I started changing the tire, someone—especially one of the many avid cyclists around—would likely help me.
However, I was too annoyed with myself and too tired. I wanted to be home. So, I called my partner, and he came to pick me up.
As I pushed my bike to our meeting point, I made a resolution: this would not happen again. I was determined to fix a flat tire on my own and be able to do it confidently in the future.
This experience ties into a broader lesson about leadership. About a year earlier, I had learned to change a bike tire with my husband’s help. I knew the basics: what the “spoons” were for, how to use an Allen wrench, how to release and reconnect the brakes. But I lacked muscle memory, didn’t have all the tools I needed, and wasn’t confident in some steps. I wasn’t an expert.
Earlier, we had taken a self-guided bike trip through Slovenia and Croatia. Towards the end of the trip, bike tires kept popping, and we ran out of tubes. We patched what we could and visited a bike store. In our group, my husband, Ben, became the go-to tire changer, quickly and efficiently handling tire changes like a pit crew at a Nascar race.
Reflecting on this recent experience, I realized it was a clear example of Situational Leadership. My bike tire journey illustrates this concept well.
Situational Leadership consists of four stages. Let’s use my tire-changing example to explain them:
Style 1: Telling, Directing, or Guiding Leaders use this style with novices who are hesitant or unsure. A year ago, I was at this stage—uncertain about changing a tire and needing clear instructions.
Style 2: Selling, Coaching, or Explaining This summer, I was at this stage. I was eager to learn (even if a bit frustrated) and wanted coaching to become proficient. I knew some basics but needed practice, more explanations, and a guide. A manager would provide training and support to help me advance.
Style 3: Participating, Facilitating, or Collaborating At this stage, I would confidently change a tire. In a bike store, I could handle customers’ tires with ease, though I might still feel like I wasn't a complete expert. In business, this is where team members might hesitate even though their ability is evident.
Style 4: Delegating, Empowering, or Monitoring Here, a leader trusts the team member’s expertise and allows them to work independently. If I could teach someone else how to change a tire and handle multiple bikes efficiently, I would be operating at this stage.
If this resonates with you, consider these suggestions to advance yourself and your team along the situational leadership pathway:
Training: Provide necessary training so team members understand expectations, goals, and outcomes. Seek their input on additional resources or training needs, whether group, individual, video, or external.
Tools: Ensure team members have the right tools, including software, technology, and physical hardware, to do their job effectively.
Documentation: Create training documentation such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or manuals. This aids communication and provides easy reference for the team.
Access to Experts: Ensure team members know who to turn to for questions and have support from colleagues.
Communication: Establish a method for regular communication and progress check-ins.
Repetition, Mistakes, and Growth: Improvement comes through practice and learning from mistakes. Embrace continuous learning.
Delegation and Coaching: As you become an expert, delegate tasks and coach others.
Improvements: Continuously seek ways to improve and adapt to new techniques and technologies.
You might wonder how my story ended. Did I learn to change my bike tire? Yes, I did. The following weekend, armed with the right tools and a YouTube tutorial, I figured it out in 45 minutes. I told my husband to ignore any swearing and not to intervene unless absolutely necessary.
I had to ask him two minor questions after trying every other option, but overall, I succeeded. I feel more confident now. Would it take me a while to do it again? Yes. But do I think I could figure it out? Absolutely. Repetition is key, and I’ve taken notes for next time.
Until then!
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