Chapter 3 Cases

 
Case 3.1: A Strained Research Team
 
1. Based on the skills approach, how would you assess Dr. Wood’s leadership and his
relationship to the members of the Elder Care Project team? Will the project be
successful?
 

Judging by the Skills Model of Leadership, the individual attributes that Dr.
Wood seems to have general and crystallized cognitive ability, but may be
lacking in the motivation and personality attributes. Without those
attributes, his role is more that of a manager than a leader. The project
seems like it has a team and the ability to be successful, however, without
the proper motivation and personality of the leader, it may end up taking
more time and money than originally planned.

1. Does Dr. Wood have the skills necessary to be an effective leader of this research
team?
 

I believe Dr. Woods has the skills necessary to be an effective leader of the
research team in his experience and expertise. He may fall short in a few
attributes of leadership, but he seems to be able to get the job done.

1. The skills model describes three important competencies for leaders: problem-
solving skills, social judgment skills, and knowledge. If you were to coach Dr. Wood
using this model, what competencies would you address with him? What changes
would you suggest that he make in his leadership?
 
It is apparent that Dr. Woods has excellent problem-solving skills and
knowledge based on his track record of success in his field. However, he is
not used to working with a team this size and needs to improve upon his
social judgment skills in order to properly motivate his large team.

Case 3.2: A Shift for Lieutenant Colonel Adams

 

1. Based on the skills model, how would you assess Lt. Col. John Adams’ ability to
meet the challenges of the base administration position?
 

I think Lt. Col. Adams has a great ability in problem-solving and motivation.
However, as his superior stated in the case, he seems to have neglected
the big picture and focused mostly on meeting the parameters set.

1. How would you assess his ability to meet the additional tasks he faced regarding the
conversion of the base?
 
He seemed very capable of meeting the parameters set to his position in
downsizing his branch of the base. He solved the problem at hand, but
seemed to create a new problem in its place when the necessary changes
made created hardships for those remaining.

1. If you were to coach Adams on how he could improve his leadership, what would you
tell them?
 

I would tell Adams to step back prior to making such a big decision, and to
analyze how it would affect him, his job, and the people around him in their
jobs. The assigned task may look great on paper, but further evaluation of
the task needs to be done to analyze how it affects the people and jobs that
need to continue.

Case 3.3: Andy’s Recipe

 

1. What accounts for Andy’s success in the restaurant business?

 

Andy’s success in the restaurant business can be attributed to his positive

and out-going personality, his great social skills and his ability and
knowledge of motivating his managers.

1. From a skills perspective, how would you describe the three managers, Kelly,
Danielle, and Patrick? What does each of them need to do to improve his or her
skills?
 

Kelly seems very knowledgeable in her position and has great cognitive
abilities. However, her social skills may be lacking a bit when dealing with
the salespeople or waitresses. Danielle seems to have excellent
personality and social skills in working with the customers, however, her
knowledge of the position, specifically working with numbers seems to
need improvement. Patrick, like Kelly, seems to be a great worker with
motivation and knowledge of what his position demands, however, he
needs to work on his personality and social skills in dealing with the
customers.

1. How would you describe Andy’s competencies? Does Andy’s leadership suggest that
one does not need all three skills in order to be effective?
 

Andy is a great leader. He cares about his staff and his customers and
shows it at every opportunity. In relation to the competencies of a leader in
the Skills Model, Andy seems to have problem solving and social judgment
skills, as well as knowledge. The managers that he oversees may lack a
few of the competencies, but with a little improvement, between the four of
them all of the necessary skills will be prevalent.