According to the situational leadership theory developed by Hersey and Blanchard, followers' readiness to be responsible for their behavior depends on Willingness and ability. Availability of a substitute for task-oriented leadership. Position power of the leader and task structure. Ability and leader-member relations.

(A). Willingness and ability

Explanation:

Situational leadership refers to that form of leadership wherein the leader is willing to modify or adapt his leadership style as per the ability of the follower to understand and complete a task.

As per Hersey and Blanchard model, there is no best leadership style and it all depends upon the kind of followers the leaders are dealing with. The ability and understanding of the followers determines which leadership form applies in a given situation.

Willingness refers to the desire to assume responsibility and perform a task while ability refers to how able or successfully a follower performs a task.

So followers readiness to own responsibility for their behavior depends on their willingness and ability.