Ashridge leadership styles
The Ashridge leadership model distinguishes tells, sells, consults and joins as points on a continuum of employee participation. Tells gives instructions; sells explains and persuades staff to accept a decision; consults seeks views before the leader makes the decision; joins involves the leader and group in shared decision making within the relevant boundaries. The classification helps distinguish who contributes to a decision and who ultimately decides.
Worked example
A manager asks employees how to reorganise the rota, considers their proposals and makes the final decision. This is consults. If the manager had already decided and only explained the benefits, the approach would be sells.
Common mistake
Consultation is not the same as joint decision making. Do not confuse the Ashridge leadership model with the Ashridge corporate-parenting portfolio display.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | BT | Direct | September 2026–June 2027 |
| ACCA | SBL | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |
| FIA | FBT | Direct | September 2026–June 2027 |
