Application: Case Studies $/10$

For the following case studies, identify which leadership style would be best suited to each of

the following situations. In a few sentences, explain which leadership style you would use and

explain why.

A$)$ You are the coach of your secondary school baseball team, which has just entered

the provincial finals for the first time. The school has gone baseball crazy, and all

eyes are on the team. However, at the finals, the team suddenly begins to perform

badly, and the solidarity among the players begins to drop. From what you can see,

many of the key players have become too self$-$centered and are blaming the team$$s

poor performance in the playoffs on other players. Arguments are beginning to

break out in the locker room. You don$$t have much time and you need to gain

control of the situation fast.

B$)$ You have just taken over as Director of customer service for a computer firm. In the

past there have been several complaints from clients about the poor quality of

customer service, and, as you take on your new role, you quickly find out why. From

what you can see, the previous director was totally unsuited for the job. He has a

reputation for placing unreasonable demands on his staff and tended to abuse staff

in public when mistakes were made. He also had a reputation for playing favorites

among his staff. Not surprisingly, some of the senior customer service staff have

already requested to be transferred out of the department. Your first priorities are

to retain these employees, restore confidence among the staff, and bring back

cohesion.