Frameworks Quick Reference
One-page map from framework to definition to when to use it in a volunteer league.
| Framework | What it is | Apply it when |
|---|---|---|
| Situational leadership (Hersey & Blanchard) | Match leadership style to the maturity of the volunteer | Assigning and managing subcommittee chairs |
| RACI matrix (org design) | Clarify who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each process | Process documentation; any recurring decision with 2+ people |
| Psychological safety (Edmondson) | Create conditions where volunteers speak up without fear of judgment | Board meetings, subcommittee culture, conflict resolution |
| Kotter's 8 steps (change mgmt) | Urgency → coalition → vision → communication → action → wins → sustain | Launching new processes, restructuring subcommittees |
| Adaptive leadership (Heifetz, HKS) | Distinguish technical problems from adaptive challenges requiring value shifts | Any persistent problem that does not respond to obvious fixes |
| Policy governance (Carver) | Separate board governance from operational management; define limits before permissions | Board role clarity; preventing micromanagement |
| First 90 days (Watkins) | Three-phase onboarding: listen, design, align — earn credibility before making changes | Presidential transition; any new subcommittee chair |
| Greiner's growth model (classic) | Organizations grow through predictable stages, each ending in a crisis — anticipate Stage 2 | Organizational planning for Year 2 and beyond |