Case Study: Before Balqis Burns Out

Balqis coordinates after-school programs for 11 elementary schools and has completed her first year as the coordinator. During the first year Balqis could not say no to any request for a new project and was very engaging with everyone who worked with her. During the first year Balqis was very successful in her innovative programs that she initiated and everyone was pleased with her performance. However, Balqiss desire to please everyone has caused problems during her second year; she seems to be over-committed and has missed several key deadlines to submit for financial support and other administrative requirements. The result of over-committing to everyone has resulted in financial losses, in the form of lost funding, to the school system. The demands on Balqiss time are beginning to stress Balqis and burn her out as a coordinator and her performance is starting to suffer.

Questions

a) Based on Katzs three-skill approach to leadership, how would you describe Balqiss technical, human, and conceptual skills? In which of these is she the strongest?

b) Given the duties and tasks in her position, would you characterize Balqiss job as supervisory, middle, or top management? Which skills does she need to work on in order to perform at that level?

c) As Balqiss supervisor, how would you work on developing the skill areas she may be lacking?

d) Using the Skills Model of Leadership, how would you describe Balqiss competencies? How have these helped or hindered her leadership outcomes?