Match-a-Scenario: Situational Leadership for AOS

Instructions: For each scenario, select the appropriate Leadership Style (S1–S4).
🧩 Scenario 1: "New & Willing"

A newly promoted SIC is excited to lead their store but doesn't know how to interpret KPIs.

• Leadership Style: S1 – Directing

• Leadership Style: S2 – Coaching

• Leadership Style: S3 – Supporting

• Leadership Style: S4 – Delegating

Instructions: For each scenario, select the appropriate Leadership Style (S1–S4).
🧩 Scenario 2: "Knows It, But Doubts"

An SIC understands shrinkage control but keeps second-guessing their reports and actions.

• Leadership Style: S1 – Directing

• Leadership Style: S2 – Coaching

• Leadership Style: S3 – Supporting

• Leadership Style: S4 – Delegating

Instructions: For each scenario, select the appropriate Leadership Style (S1–S4).
🧩 Scenario 3: "Reluctant to Coach"

An experienced SIC excels in operations but avoids coaching team members, saying “I’m not good with feedback.”

• Leadership Style: S1 – Directing

• Leadership Style: S2 – Coaching

• Leadership Style: S3 – Supporting

• Leadership Style: S4 – Delegating

Instructions: For each scenario, select the appropriate Leadership Style (S1–S4).
🧩 Scenario 4: "Confident in Promos"

SIC successfully led 3 store-wide promos with great sales. You trust them to do it again with minimal input.

• Leadership Style: S1 – Directing

• Leadership Style: S2 – Coaching

• Leadership Style: S3 – Supporting

• Leadership Style: S4 – Delegating

Instructions: For each scenario, select the appropriate Leadership Style (S1–S4).
🧩 Scenario 5: "Clueless with New Reports"

SIC struggles using the new sales dashboard and skips filling it in.

• Leadership Style: S1 – Directing

• Leadership Style: S2 – Coaching

• Leadership Style: S3 – Supporting

• Leadership Style: S4 – Delegating

Instructions: For each scenario, select the appropriate Leadership Style (S1–S4).
🧩 Scenario 6: "Motivated but Sloppy"

The SIC is very motivated but keeps making small mistakes in visual merchandising execution.

• Leadership Style: S1 – Directing

• Leadership Style: S2 – Coaching

• Leadership Style: S3 – Supporting

• Leadership Style: S4 – Delegating

Instructions: For each scenario, select the appropriate Leadership Style (S1–S4).
🧩 Scenario 7: "Doesn't See the Problem"

SIC says “sales are fine” even though foot traffic is high and conversion is low. They’re not analyzing.

• Leadership Style: S1 – Directing

• Leadership Style: S2 – Coaching

• Leadership Style: S3 – Supporting

• Leadership Style: S4 – Delegating

Answer explanation

❓ Why not S2 (Coaching)?

S2 – Coaching is used when the SIC is aware, motivated, and trying—but just needs guidance or skill development.

In this case, the SIC is:

• Not seeing the problem

• Unaware of the disconnect

• Not acknowledging poor conversion

This means they lack insight into the issue, and are not yet in a place where two-way coaching would be effective. Coaching assumes some level of recognition or buy-in.

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✅ Why S1 – Directing is correct:

S1 is appropriate when the leader needs to:

• Clearly define the problem (e.g., "FT is high but SC is low — here’s what that means")

• Set expectations (e.g., "This is how we track and improve conversion")

• Lay out next steps step-by-step

You're still diagnosing and building their awareness — that requires direction first, before moving into coaching later when they’re more engaged.

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🧠 Tip for AOS:

“Don’t coach someone who doesn’t know they have a gap — first, make the gap visible. That’s why you start with S1.”

Instructions: For each scenario, select the appropriate Leadership Style (S1–S4).
🧩 Scenario 8: "Stops Asking for Feedback"

Your SIC used to seek input on KPI reviews but now applies insights independently and consistently.

• Leadership Style: S1 – Directing

• Leadership Style: S2 – Coaching

• Leadership Style: S3 – Supporting

• Leadership Style: S4 – Delegating

Instructions: For each scenario, select the appropriate Leadership Style (S1–S4).
🧩 Scenario 9: "Hesitant Leader"

The SIC knows how to coach, but avoids difficult conversations with underperformers.

• Leadership Style: S1 – Directing

• Leadership Style: S2 – Coaching

• Leadership Style: S3 – Supporting

• Leadership Style: S4 – Delegating

Instructions: For each scenario, select the appropriate Leadership Style (S1–S4).
🧩 Scenario 10: "Always Asking for Help"

Even after training, your SIC keeps asking basic questions about daily sales forms.

• Leadership Style: S1 – Directing

• Leadership Style: S2 – Coaching

• Leadership Style: S3 – Supporting

• Leadership Style: S4 – Delegating