Leaders and Leadership-Module 3 – Case
Leaders and Leadership
Instructions:-
Leaders and Leadership
Assignment Overview
The Case Assignment for this module involves viewing several vignettes depicting different leadership styles. Using critical thinking skills, you will identify which leadership style the character draws upon, and defend your answer using the leadership model principles presented in the background materials.
Case Assignment
View the following six video clips* and follow the Instructions listed below to write your 4- to 5-page essay.
- This clip is from Dead Poets Society. Compare and contrast the leadership styles of both Mr. Keating and Mr. Nolan.
- CineGraf (2014). O captain, my captain!
- This clip is from the movie Office Space where the main character is asked to work the weekend. What leadership style is Lumberg using?
ResoluteProductions (2011). Office Space—Working tomorrow. - The third clip is a scene from Remember the Titans where the coach tells the players about the Battle of Gettysburg.
mikedaquila (2011) Remember the Titans Coach Boone Speech - This clip is from The Princess Bride and depicts a battle of wits between Vazzini and Roberts where Vazzini has to decide which cup is poisoned. Vecchiarelli, M.S. (2013) The princess bride—Battle of the wits.
- The fifth clip is from The Blind Side. What leadership style does the coach use and then what style does the mother use when she goes onto the field to tell Michael that the football team is like his family and he has to protect them?
MacPherson, J. (2011). Blindside p and p 2 - The last clip is from The Devil Wears Prada where Andrea arrives at the offices of Runway to interview for a job as assistant to Miranda. moviemomentsAUS’s channel (2012). Devil Wears Prada.
*Note: These clips are all on YouTube. If you cannot access YouTube from a network that blocks access, you will need to use a different network or borrow another computer to complete the assignment. If neither is possible, contact your professor for instructions for an alternate assignment for writing a research paper on the Complexity Theory of Leadership.
Instructions:
- Discuss what leadership model(s) best describe the approach to leadership exhibited in the video clip.
- Trait Model
- Behavioral Model
- Contingency Model (identify which one—Fiedler Model, Path-Goal Model, and/or Normative Decision Model)
- Influence (Power) (identify which one—Reward Power, Coercive Power, Legitimate Power, Referent Power and/or Expert Power)
- Transformational Leadership
- Devote a section in your paper to each of the video clips. Each section should have a heading with the name of the video clip followed by the leadership style/styles portrayed. For example: Return of the Jedi (Coercive Power).
- For each of the video clips, you will need to use at least one of the leadership models listed above, and a few have more than one portrayed. Also you must use of all five of the leadership styles at least once in your paper.
- Analyze the effectiveness of this leadership approach. Give examples of how specific behaviors or attitudes illustrate specific tenets of the leadership model you have chosen. Defend your answer with examples from the clip and references to the appropriate background material.
- Is this leadership style appropriate for this situation? Do you think it will be effective? Why or why not? Under what conditions might this approach be most appropriate? Most inappropriate?
There is not one right answer to which leadership style is being represented in each clip—it is open to interpretation. However, the critical thinking in this assignment hinges on how well you defend your choice of leadership style. Make a strong and logical argument by using examples from the clips to demonstrate the characteristics of the style as presented in the background materials.
Keep in mind there may be more than one leadership style represented in a video clip.
You may want to do additional research to supplement what is on the background page. Outside research does not substitute for citing and referencing the background material, but may add additional support and depth to your arguments.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated using the criteria as stated in the Case rubric. The following is a review of the rubric criteria:
Assignment-Driven: Does the paper fully address all aspects of the assignment? Is the assignment addressed accurately and precisely using sound logic? Does the paper meet minimum length requirements?
Critical Thinking: Does the paper demonstrate graduate-level analysis, in which information derived from multiple sources, expert opinions, and assumptions has been critically evaluated and synthesized in the formulation of a logical set of conclusions? Does the paper address the topic with sufficient depth of discussion and analysis?
Business Writing: Is the essay logical, well organized and well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are section headings included? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding, or is justification/support instead conveyed through excessive use of direct quotations?
Effective Use of Information: Does the submission demonstrate that the student has read, understood and can apply the background materials for the module? If required, has the student demonstrated effective research, as evidenced by student’s use of relevant and quality (library?) sources? Do additional sources used provide strong support for conclusions drawn, and do they help in shaping the overall paper?
Citing Sources: Does the student demonstrate understanding of APA Style of referencing, by inclusion of proper citations (for paraphrased text and direct quotations) as appropriate? Have all sources (e.g., references used from the Background page, the assignment readings, and outside research) been included, and are these properly cited? Have all sources cited in the paper been included on the References page?
Timeliness: Has the assignment been submitted to TLC (Trident’s learning management system) on or before the module’s due date?
Solution.
Leaders and Leadership-Module 3 – Case
Leaders and Leadership
Many approaches to leadership have been used over the years since every leader has their way of doing things. There are similarities in these leadership behaviours, but the differences are more. Learning to anticipate and discern the habits that make up different leadership styles can help to develop one into an effective leader (Northouse, 2010). This paper will use several video clips to study the leadership styles that have been used and determine their appropriateness, or lack thereof, in their particular contexts.
CineGraf (2014). O captain, my captain!- (Power/Influence, Behavioral)
The clip shows classroom scene where a senior teacher, Mr Nolan is interacting with the students. From the onset, it is evident that the teacher is exercising his seniority and powers in a manner that is meant to intimidate the audience. The first instant involves legitimate power that comes from his authority as a teacher. He orders the student, to read out a book without considering his claims that the page was ripped out. This instance shows behavioural leadership style since the senior teacher is autocratic and does not care for the input of others. Coercive behaviour is seen when he threatens a student to keep quiet or be sent from school and when he threatens Mr Keating to get out of the class. The look he gives Mr Keating is as much a threat as anyone spoken. All these characteristics sum up an authoritarian who uses power to coerce others into submission (Mindtools.com, 2017). As evidenced by the reaction of the students, such behaviours are likely to end up in revolt, as people get tired of being bullied around. The leadership style cannot succeed in that kind of situation. The students stood on their desks in protest, and Mr Keating appears to have some referent power leadership since he inspires all the students without uttering a single word. The students direct all their focus as if they are revolting in his support and he appreciates the gesture by thanking them with a smile before leaving.
ResoluteProductions (2011). Office Space—Working Tomorrow (Power)
The clip shows an open plan office setting and a worker who is ducking, seemingly watching out for his boss before escaping. He turns around to find his boss standing right in front of him. The scene follows as the boss gives some orders to the employee, displaying his authority and power. The employee is requested to report the next day, and on Sunday, too since the company has lost some of the employees. The subordinate does not utter a word in defence since the boss has legitimate authority and hence the right to make such rules. In this situation, the style is likely to work since people do not want to be in conflict with their bosses for the threat of losing their jobs. However, some employees might get disgruntled and force them to leave at the first sign of another opportunity. Using power to enforce rules results into low staff morale and hence it is not the best approach to us (Northouse, 2010) e.
Mikedaquila (2011) Remember the Titans Coach Boone Speech (Trait, Transformational)
Trait leadership looks at the various personal characteristics that make up an effective leader. According to trait theorists, leadership is an innate quality that one either has or does not. Therefore, leadership is displayed in the actions. The scene shows a coach who wakes his team at three in the morning to go for a run in the woods. The behaviour of the coach indicates that he is determined and motivated to get the best out of the team. The team withstands the conditions and jogs to a clearing in the forest where the coach stops and begins to deliver an inspiring speech. He uses the historical significance of the removal to motivate the students to bury their differences and come together as a team. He displays high emotional intelligence, authenticity, and a good view of the future that he delivers in a clear and coherent manner. He uses these traits to change the attitudes of the team members and inspire them to come together for the common good displaying transformational leadership qualities. The coach shows strong skills of dealing with people, an ability to motivate, self-confidence, intelligence, physical vitality and he leads by example when he runs, and the students follow in his wake. These leadership models are useful in such a situation where coercion is not a viable option (Northouse, 2010). A team can only function well when they are willing to do it, and hence the right approach is one that leaves them with the final decision after showing them the possibilities.
Vecchiarelli, M.S. (2013) The princes’ bride—Battle of the wits (Contingency)
Contingency theories examine how a certain situation exerts influence on real leadership. It involves looking at the current situation and decide the best approach to utilise under the circumstances. The hooded man in the clip opts to use the poison since there are drinks laid out and his opponent is holding a girl hostage. The hooded man knows the poisoned drink, but he is convincing enough and knows that his opponent is egotistical about his wit. He turns the situation around using charm and a clever ploy that preys on his opponent’s self-perceived intelligence. He uses the path-goal contingency model by setting up the game and giving his opponent something to think about (Bisk Education, 2017). The model is ideal for the situation since the opponent switches the drinks and thinks he has the right one when the hooded man sips from his cup. The hostage taker dies, and he rescues the girl showing that the method was effective. Sometimes leadership calls for people to come up with quick solutions to suit a given situation.
MacPherson, J. (2011). Blindside p and p 2 (Contingency, Power)
The coach uses his authority to order the player and give instructions, but the method does not apply in this situation. Contingency leadership model calls for utilisation of some different methods depending on a unique circumstance. In this case, the woman pulls away from the new player for a pep talk to motivate him to play for the team. She reminds him how he always has her back and asks him to transfer that attitude onto the pitch. It is a simple, and efficient manner that fires up the player and gets him ready to play for the team. It is an example of Fiedler’s model of contingency leadership (Bisk Education, 2017). The player holds the woman in high regard, and it is evident since she is the only one able to through to him. The woman shows a leader who is task-oriented and has to make a quick decision under the circumstances. It indicates that she holds some referent power over him. These approaches work well since the situation calls for a way of getting the player to play and give everything on the pitch.
moviemomentsAUS’s channel (2012). Devil Wears Prada (Power, Behavior)
Andrea has arrived at a new company where she is seeking a job opportunity. The secretary uses her power to throw a sly dig at the interviewee as she stands to wait. Since she has a position of authority, she uses legitimate power to make Andrea feel bad about herself. She is slightly cowed by the interviewer because the latter has the reward power and can either offer or deny her the job. In such a case, the behaviour is likely to bring success since Andrea has to respect the authority figures. The interviewer asks her some direct questions and uses the results to make her decision on hiring her. This behavioural trait shoes autocratic leadership where the leader makes the decision without outside interference.
Conclusion
The six clips showed
different styles of leadership and a combination of several, in some instances.
One approach to leadership cannot fit all situations. Leaders must realise that
leadership is based on the situation and transformational leadership is usually
the best approach to take. The current situation should dictate the best
leadership approach.
Bisk Education. (2017). Leadership and The Contingency Theory. Villanovau.com. Retrieved 5 May 2017, from https://www.villanovau.com/resources/leadership/leadership-and-contingency-theory/#.WQxzyFWGOiM
CineGraf. (2014). O Captain, my Captain! | Thank you to Robin Williams (HD). YouTube. Retrieved 5 May 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j64SctPKmqk
MacPherson, J. (2011). BlindSide P&P.wmv. YouTube. Retrieved 5 May 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXMdsM_qJHY
Mikedaquilla. (2011). Remember the Titans – Coach Boone Charismatic Leadership. YouTube. Retrieved 5 May 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIeLiPjgAbQ
Mindtools.com. (2017). Core Leadership Theories: Learning the Foundations of Leadership. Mindtools.com. Retrieved 5 May 2017, from https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/leadership-theories.htm
Northouse, P. (2010). Leadership (1st ed.). Los Angeles, Calif.: Sage.
Resolute Productions. (2011). Office Space – Working Tomorrow. YouTube. Retrieved 5 May 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjJCdCXFslY
Thigpen, E. (2012). Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada. YouTube. Retrieved 5 May 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=871gAKjvVf8
Vecchiarelli, M. (2013). The princess bride – Battle of the wits. YouTube. Retrieved 5 May 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6TQ7ljcsjk
