CEO welcomed guest speaker Dan Adams, who shared how his journey from IU education major to restaurant leader and state-final umpire shaped his view on Situational Leadership.

From the grill line at Scotty’s Hamburgers to the baseball diamond, Dan taught us how the best leaders adapt — meeting people where they are, not where we wish they were.

Using the Situational Leadership Model by Hersey and Blanchard, Dan showed us how leadership is a moving target based on two things:
🔑 Competence
🔑 Commitment

Whether someone is new and eager (D1) or a seasoned pro (D4), the leader's role is to adjust their support and direction accordingly:
🔴 Direct
🟠 Coach
🟡 Support
🟢 Delegate

“I sucked at cooking at first,” Dan told us. “But I had a supervisor who saw the capability in me.”

Dan also emphasized the three critical skills for effective leadership in this model:
Flexibility – adjust your approach
Diagnostic Skill – know where others are at
Contracting – create clear expectations

“Be committed to the work of applying these skills. Applying the wrong leadership style drives people away. Successful leaders WILL do what unsuccessful leaders WON'T do”

Huge thanks to Dan for helping us see leadership not as a fixed trait—but as a practiced, intentional choice.