Situation 3
Development level: Diagnosis—D3: In your opinion, this woman has the ability to make the presentation, and she is very familiar with the subject matter. The problem is her fear and/or insecurity that she cannot do a good job with the presentation. Thus, her high competence and shaky confidence suggest that she is at the D3 level. She needs an S3 (Supporting) style of leadership.
The leader action described here is a MATCH.
Rationale – The Style 3 (Supporting) approach should help build the woman’s confidence. It should also help her realize that she already has the answers to her concerns and that she can indeed deliver the presentation as requested. By discussing alternatives with her, you can confirm your judgment about her ability to deliver the presentation. If you decide that her competence is not as high as you thought, you might slide back to a Coaching style. Meanwhile, the Style 3 approach is the best place to start.