(a). John Adair’s action-centred leadership model is based on the view that effective leaders need full command of three aspects of leadership:

• achieving the task and meeting the demands of the task
• managing and maintaining the team or group
• managing individuals within the group and meeting the needs of individuals in the group.
  A good leader keeps each of these three elements of leadership in balance. Adair argued that in any work situation, a leader is faced with problems and issues that will require the use of the three leadership skills. However, the particular skills that are needed to deal with any given situation will vary according to its nature. In other words, the skills required to deal with each problem will depend on the nature of the problem. An effective leader needs skills in all three areas.
  Adair argued that all three aspects of leadership skills can be learned through training and development.
  Sometimes a leader must show one of the leadership skills to deal with a problem, and sometimes he must show two of the skills or all three skills. The action-centred leadership model, indicating the skills required by the leader, can therefore be shown as three overlapping circles, which Adair calls the ‘three circles diagram’.

(b). Achieving the task

• Define the task and the objectives/goals
• Make the plan for achieving the task
• Identify and acquire the resources needed
• Establish responsibilities for group members
• Set standards and target performance standards
• Establish reporting systems
• Control actual performance by comparison with the targets
• Monitor performance
• Review on completion of the task

Managing the team

• Agree standard of performance/behaviour
• Establish the culture of the group
• Maintain ethical standards and discipline
• Resolve conflicts between group members
• Change the balance/ membership of the group when necessary
• Develop the ability of the team members to work together
• Build team morale. Motivate the group as a team
• Develop the collective skills and maturity of the group
• Facilitate communications – within the group and externally
• Consult with the group
• Give the group feedback on its performance
• Provide group training

Managing individuals

• Understand the team members as individuals (personality, skills, needs)
• Assist individuals
• Give support to individuals
• Give praise to individuals
• Agree individual responsibilities and objectives
• Make use of the strengths and skills of the individual
• Reward individuals (for example with more responsibility or higher status)
• Train and develop individual team members

(c). Adair suggested a 50:50 rule that applies to his thinking about leadership. Leadership is influential, but effective leadership on its own is not sufficient.

• 50% of motivation comes from within the individual. The other 50% of motivation comes from influences outside the individual, including the influence of the leader.
• 50% of building a successful team comes from the team members and 50% comes from the leader of the team.