BUS272 TB

Chapter 11 Leadership 411
You know that some aspect of the new work system must be responsible
for the change, but you are getting no help from your immediate
team members—four first-line supervisors who report to you and who are
each in charge of a section—or your supply manager. The drop in production
has been variously attributed to poor training of the operators, lack
of an adequate system of financial incentives, and poor morale. All of the
individuals involved have deep feelings about this issue. Your team does
not agree with you or with one another.
This morning you received a phone call from your division manager. He
had just received your production figures for the past six months and was
calling to express his concern. He indicated that the problem was yours to
solve in any way that you think best, but that he would like to know within
a week what steps you plan to take.
You share your division manager’s concern with the falling productivity
and know that your employees are also concerned. Using your knowledge
of leadership concepts, which leadership style would you choose?
And why?
OB at Work
1. Think of a group or team to which you currently belong or of which
you have been a part. What type of leadership style did the leader of
this group appear to exhibit? Give some specific examples of the types
of leadership behaviours he or she used. Evaluate the leadership style.
Was it appropriate for the group? Why or why not? What would you
have done differently? Why?
Reinforcing
Skills
2. Observe two sports teams (either college/university or professional—
one that you consider successful and the other unsuccessful). What
leadership styles appear to be used in these team situations? Give
some specific examples of the types of leadership behaviours you
observe. How would you evaluate the leadership style? Was it appropriate
for the team? Why or why not? To what degree do you think
leadership style influenced the team’s outcomes?