What should leaders first assess in order to apply the situational leadership model? A. The level of task and relationship behavior that will likely produce successful outcomes. B. The readiness level of the follower relative to the task to be accomplished. C. The leader's behavior that best suits the current situation and task. D. The historical behavior patterns of the leader and follower.

The situational leadership model is a theory that effective leadership is based on the concept that no one style of leadership fits all situations. Instead, it suggests that competent leaders transition between different leadership styles according to the readiness and maturity of the person they are leading. Therefore, before applying this model, leaders must first assess the readiness level of the follower relative to the task to be accomplished. This would mean looking at how competent and how committed the follower is in doing the task.