Laurie Baird Case Studies 5.1 - 5.2 - 5.3
AIS 4081 Leadership Theory and Practice
February 6, 2013

Case 5.1

Questions:
1) According to the basic assumptions of situational leadership, where would you place the three managers in regard to levels of development in the SLII model?

Rick Nakano - D4-level. "Seasoned workers with proven abilities and great devotion to a company would be identified as functioning at the D4 level" (Northouse 103).
Beth Edwards - Even though she is a manager - she is a D1. "For example, new employees who are very excited but lack understanding of job requirements would be identified as D1-level employees (Northouse 103).
Steve Lynch - D3-level - confident on some counts and very insecure on others aspects of his job.
2) If you were Bruce would you act the same toward each of the three managers? I would handle each manager differently on certain aspects. When you know their leadership abilities you need to nurture the lacking characteristics and build them up. According to the descriptions in the case, there are definitely differences in their capabilities. As the owner of the company, being aware of the differences will help to achieve positive results for the company.
3) Which conference would be the hardest for you, and which would be the easiest? Why? The conference with Beth Edwards would be exceptionally difficult. She has an incredible spirit but lacks knowledge. She must be either taught very quickly the information she needs, or she will continue to fail. Growing Bruce's confidence will be a challenge but with his successes he has had in the past, he will come along. Rick is an owner's dream. A self-starter, knowledgeable and competent.
Case 5.2
1) According to the SLII model, what style of leadership is Jim using to run the seminars? I would place Jim at a S4. Because of Jim's belief