Premium Essay

A Tale of Two Coaches

In: Business and Management

Submitted By jbentley02
Words 2062
Pages 9
Case Study Analysis Paper 1: A Tale of Two Coaches
John Bentley
Grand Canyon University
Leadership Styles and Development
LDR-600
Armando Sotero
February 27, 2013

Case Study Analysis Paper 1: A Tale of Two Coaches It was the best of basketball and it was the best of basketball or was it. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the leadership styles of two successful NCAA basketball coaches: Bobby Knight and Mike Krzyzewski. First, the paper will identify the leadership perspective of each coach.
Leadership Perspectives Coach Knight and Coach K were at the center of and embodied the will of their teams. Northouse (2010) described this as a process between the leader and followers…leaders affect followers and vice a versa. Coach night devised a system he expected the team to follow. He said to the players, “Follow our rules, do exactly what I tell you and you will not lose (Snook, Perlow, & Delacey, 2005).” In a similar fashion, Coach K taught discipline too. He invested heavily in drills and skills while focusing on the needs of each player…helping players become a team. Interesting enough they both had one rule to follow…don’t do anything that will harm the team (Snook, Perlow, & Delacey, 2005). Besides a leadership process, each coach used personality to influence team results (Northouse, 2010; “How does“, 2007). Coach Knight’s demanding behavior, meticulous plans and expecting perfection from players is evidence of a conscientiousness personality. He was also described as intimidating a sign of overusing his strength (Straw, 2002) of conscientiousness making people uncomfortable in his presence that caused his demise (Snook et al., 2005). Coach K used his openness and agreeableness personality styles by communicating up close and personnel…establish instant trust...caring for each other. This strength allowed his players to

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

A Tale of Two Coaches

...Running Head: Case Study Analysis Paper 2: A Tale of Two Coaches Case Study Analysis Paper 2: A Tale of Two Coaches Harry A. Gkornean Grand Canyon University: LRD 600-0500: Leadership Styles and Development Dr. Terri Trent September 2, 2015 “Coach K: A Matter of the Heart” & "Coach Knight: A Will to Win” Overview This paper provides a leadership styles and skills analysis of two cases that separately discussed the professional careers of two leaders involved in similar kinds of activities. It presents two coaches – Coach K and Coach Knight - as achievers but distinguishes them in terms of the methodology used. This paper recognizes similar leadership attributes of these two leaders and distinguishes one from another in terms of their leadership style. It identifies Coach K more as a leader than Coach Knight whose attributes were more managerial. Leadership Skills Coach K was an efficient and successful leader who demonstrated excellent leadership skills as he led the Duke Basketball Team to becoming one of the most successful college basketball teams in America’s history (DeLacey, Perlow & Snook, 2005). His success can be attributed to the following leadership skills: competencies, individual attributes, and leadership outcomes, technical, human and conceptual skills. Similarly, Coach Knight was a very successful basketball coach at Indiana University and Texas Tech. According to DeLacey, Perlow & Snook (2005), he earned for himself one of the most enviable...

Words: 633 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Case Study Analysis Paper: Tale of Two Coaches

...Case Study Analysis Paper 1: A Tale of Two Coaches Rhodeanny31 Grand Canyon University: LDR-600-0101 September 23, 2014 Case Study Analysis Paper 1: A Tale of Two Coaches Intelligence, self-confidence, and determination are the leadership perspectives that have exhibited in both Coach Bob Knight and Coach Mike Krzyzewski (known as Coach K.). Coach Knight is known as the winningest coach in NCAA men’s basketball until Duke’s Coach Krzyzewski exceeded his spot. Coach Krzyzewski played under Coach Knight when they were both at West Point and he was a graduate assistant at Indiana University under Coach Knight (Snook, Perlow, & Delacey, 2005). Coach Knight and Coach K. are very successfully college basketball coaches who has different leadership styles of pursuing and producing a competitive goal of winners. Power Bases Relied Upon Coach Knight’s power bases are relied with a tight controlling type categorized by societal detachment between him and the basketball players he coaches. His leadership role consist of discipline and intimidation, sometimes goes too far. Coach Knight’s position of power is high reflected by his regular abuse of verbal and physical punishment. Based on his regular outburst of anger when he was “under stress”, he reverted to less developed ways learning in early developments (Northouse, 2004). Coach Knight emotional capabilities consist of high self-awareness, low self-regulation, high motivation, low empathy, and low social skills...

Words: 919 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Tale of Two Coaches, Case Study #3

...teams. According to Fiedler’s Least Preferred Coworker (LPC) scale, coach Knight will have low score and be identified as a task motivated leader who “will be effective in both very favorable and very unfavorable situations—that is, in situations that are going along very smoothly or situations that are out of control” (Northouse, 2013, p. 125). Coach K will score high on LPC scale which describes him as a leader who is relationship motivated, and who will be “effective in moderately favorable situations—that is, in situations in which there is some degree of certainty but things are neither completely under their control nor completely out of their control” (Northouse, 2013, p. 125). When it comes to the situational match, both coaches are matched well in their situation. Coach Knight confirms his match because he is so consistent with his...

Words: 970 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Case Study Analysis Paper 1: a Tale of Two Coaches

...Running head: CASE STUDY ANALYSIS PAPER 1: A TALE OF TWO COACHES Case Study Analysis Paper 1: A Tale of Two Coaches December 19, 2012 Bobby Knight is an American college basketball coach. He has the most coaching victories in NCAA men's basketball history. His 1975–76 Indiana University team had a perfect 32–0 record and went on to win the NCAA championship. He was the coach for the U.S. men's basketball team in 1984 and led them to Olympic gold. His temper was legendary and in 2000 he was fired from Indiana. (Bobby Knight Biography, 2012) Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is known as "Coach K”. He is known as “Coach K” to friends and admirers because "Krzyzewski" is hard to say and spell. He has the most notable record in college basketball. He has four national championships and has more wins than any other active men's basketball coach. Only Bobby Knight, who was his mentor from West Point, has more wins. (Zegers, n.d.) They are two of the most successful basketball in history. They share leadership styles, yet these styles are very different. Bobby Knight is an in your face type of coach. He uses fear and leads by using rewards and punishments. He uses tight supervision and control. Coach K believes in empowering his players and sets high goals and maintains standards. He leads with respect. He leads through personal power of being referent. Both coaches are passionate, disciplined, and competent in their jobs as a coach and care a lot for the players both on and off...

Words: 580 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Case Study Analysis Paper 1: a Tale of Two Coaches

...Case Study Analysis Paper 1: A Tale of Two Coaches Coach Bobby Knight and Coach Mike Krzyzewski are perhaps two of the best effective college basketball instructors in the United Sates. Nonetheless, their management types may perhaps not be beyond diverse. The question asked is, if it is beneficial to be loved or to be feared. Both of these coaches contained within these leadership viewpoints and involved the next significant theories: • Effective leaders recognize their specific expectations about human character. • By what method you manage (leadership style) is subjective to who you are (self-awareness) and the requirements of the position (situational awareness). Increasing your self- perception, ability to adapt, and situational awareness your leadership type amplifies your general array of efficiency as a lead. Bobby Knight, otherwise recognized as "The General," is the person in charge to coach the basketball team from Texas Tech University. He is a heated, aggressive individual who leads throughout intimidation and discipline, which several commentators say goes too far with his discipline. Knight was dismissed after a lengthy profession for the Indiana University because he griped an apprentice, and before that, he was recorded holding one of his team members by the collar. Afterwards, the disreputable occurrence in a match happened when Coach Knight threw a foldaway chair crossway the courtyard to object an arbitrator's decision. Mike Krzyzewski, better identified...

Words: 545 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Case Study

...Running head: A Tale of two coaches               Case Study: A Tale of Two coaches – Part I Isaac Jonathan Kurapati Grand Canyon University: LDR 600         Introduction The tale of two Coaches brings out an outstanding contrast between two successful basketball coaches. When we look at a broader perspective, several different forms of leadership styles and approaches have been adopted by the both the coaches. Based on observations, coach knight plays a negative leadership style role, while coach K’s approach was a more positive approach. The behavior of the two coaches is therefore differing to each other. Coach Knight’s Leadership approach style was hurtful, detrimental and vigorous but lead, but through these practices his team had successful wins. On the Parallel, coach K was liberal, substantial and progressive but also potent. The two coaches practiced many rules and made several changes to succeed as a team, they were very talented and had skills that left constant trails for success. Power Bases Expert, Referent, coercive and Reward Powers were the Power bases used by both the coaches for the successful building of a successful team; Coach K has used reward and referral power by connecting with his players and by constantly encouraging his players by consistently appreciating their performances and thus used the power bases in a positive way. Knight used applied coercive power on his players in order to boost the...

Words: 590 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Coaches Case Study

...Case Study Analysis Paper 3: A Tale of Two Coaches   1) Through your review of Fiedler's contingency model, would you say that the coaches are matched to their situation? Why or why not? Has this had an impact on their effectiveness? I believe that Coach Knight and Coach K are matched to their situation according to Fiedler’s Contingency Model. Contingency theory suggests that situations can be characterized in terms of three factors: leader–member relations, task structure, and position power (Northouse, 2010). 2) Using Situational Leadership II, provide evidence from the cases that show whether or not there is usage of the leadership styles by the two coaches, and adopt a position on whether or not you think the coaches are effective from this theoretical perspective. In: Business and Management Coach Analysis Case Analysis Paper 3: A Tale of Two Coaches Bonnie Hyatt Grand Canyon University Leadership Style and Development LDR-600 Kelly Jensen, MBA April 30, 2013 Case Analysis Paper 3: A Tale of Two Coaches Fiedler’s contingency theory is a “leader-match theory” (Northhouse, 2013, p. 135).   It attempts to match the style of the leader with the situation and develop a match between the two. Coach Knight and Coach Krzyzewski (Coach K) were both effective in this leadership style because they produced winning teams.   Coach Knight is a task driven leader who sores low on the least preferred co-worker scale (LPC).   His primary focus was accomplishing the tasks...

Words: 1438 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Situational Leadership Ii on Both Coach Knight and Coach K

...Case Study Analysis: A Tale of Two Coaches, Part 3 Elida Roshi Grand Canyon University Leadership Styles and Development LDR-600 Shawna Wentlandt January 29, 2014 Case Study Analysis: A Tale of Two Coaches, Part 3 It is identified that the focus point of leadership is to achieve goals by encouraging people and directing them in the proper direction. Organizations consist of various departments and groups that are required to meet both short term and long term goals of the department and organization. For this reason an exceptional leader is needed to direct and inspire them throughout this process. The most important part of leadership is the quality of a leader to encourage others and offer enhancement and creativity in their submission of ideas and methods and that is exactly where the distinction between management and leadership falls. This author will focus accurately on this distinction illustrating Blanchard’s situational model and Fiedler’s contingency model on the two famous coaches’ leadership style. Furthermore, this writer will discuss which of the leadership styles utilized from them are more effective and what is impacting on their effectiveness. Based on Fiedler’s contingency model it is apparent that Coach Knight and Coach K are matched to their situations. As the Fiedler’s contingency model suggests leaders are assigned to a situation for their specified qualities and abilities and is more like a leader-match structure (Northouse, 2013). It is very...

Words: 547 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Case File 1

...Case Study Analysis Paper 1: A Tale of Two Coaches Clive S. Choat Ken Blanchard College of Business, MGT-600 10 December 2013 Case Study Analysis Paper 1: A Tale of Two Coaches Based on our learning from week one of our class, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the leadership perspectives manifested in both Bobby Knight and Mike Krzyzewski, coaches who have made significant marks in their field in college basketball. I hope to be able to identify the power bases both coaches rely upon, as well as whether their actions are more aligned with either a managerial role or leadership role. In addition, I hope to identify how significant the leadership traits have influenced their leadership, based on the five-factor personality model from our textbook readings, and has this affected the performance effectiveness of the coaches. I begin my report with some background information about the two coaches. Bobby Knight is the former head basketball coach for the United States Military Academy (USMA), Indiana University and Texas Tech University. Coach Knight is best described as a serious taskmaster who ran his team through the use of strict discipline, fear and intimidation. His aggressive style cost him his position after a twenty-nine year successful career at Indiana University for physically assaulting a player, the final straw in a string of violent actions he had displayed during games. In counterpoint, Mike Krzyzewski, who had served as a player under...

Words: 986 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Coach Analysis

...Case Analysis Paper 3: A Tale of Two Coaches Bonnie Hyatt Grand Canyon University Leadership Style and Development LDR-600 Kelly Jensen, MBA April 30, 2013 Case Analysis Paper 3: A Tale of Two Coaches Fiedler’s contingency theory is a “leader-match theory” (Northhouse, 2013, p. 135). It attempts to match the style of the leader with the situation and develop a match between the two. Coach Knight and Coach Krzyzewski (Coach K) were both effective in this leadership style because they produced winning teams. Coach Knight is a task driven leader who sores low on the least preferred co-worker scale (LPC). His primary focus was accomplishing the tasks. He did this through discipline and intimidation. He expected nothing less than perfection from his players. Relationships were developed secondary to meeting the goals. Coach K is a relationship-oriented coach who scores high on the LPC scale. He viewed his team as part of his family. He used positive reinforcement, open communication, and genuine caring support to motivate his team. Task accomplishments were secondary to relationships. Both coaches had strong positions of power. They could exercise full authority developing the program and choosing which players would make the team and which players would not make the team. Coach Knight and Coach K used different leadership styles. They were matched to their situation solely on the fact they developed winning teams. Situational leadership theory attempts...

Words: 618 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Analysis of Two Great Coaches

...Analysis of Two Great Coaches Donna M. Rothenberger Grand Canyon University LDR 600 September 2, 2015 Mike Krzyzewski (aka Coach K) and Coach Bobby Knight (aka The General) are the most colorful basketball coaches in American collegiate history. Their similarities are striking. They have shared the same arenas as coach and player at West Point; they are coaching contemporaries; they are competitors, highest winning coaches, and lifelong friends. And, Coach K and Coach Knight have both achieved brilliant success during their college coaching careers. But that’s where their similarities end. Their leadership styles have been the subject of debate around coffee tables, pizza places and beer joints for years. For the curious, there are models of management, though, that can give us yet some more insight into their methods and madness. Robert Katz identified a leadership leaning that made simple the behaviors of leaders based on people and results: Task and Human Skills Approach. The Task Approach favors task and production foremost, while the Human Approach favors relationship and people foremost (Northouse, 2012). Embracing this model, we can understand these coaches a little more by looking at the Katz approach. Coach K was all about the people-relationship skills as priority for results;...

Words: 978 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Case Study

...Bus Case Study Analysis 3: A Tale of Two Coaches Vanessa Goins Grand Canyon University LDR-600-0102 Leadership Styles and Development Professor Erick Aguilar May 19, 2013 Through Fiedler’s Contingency Model, I would say that Coach Knight and Coach K are matched to their situations. Fiedler’s Model describes a leader-match framework of which the leaders are assigned to a situation given their attributes and capabilities (Northouse, 2010).Coach Knight was one who was more of a task-oriented coach whom main concern was reaching the team’s goal and that was to win. Coach Knight, according to the contingency model scored low in the LPCs, on the leader-member relations while on the task structure, he scored high. He had a high position power as well as his actions was punishment, verbal abuse when he would get mad and having his team fear him (Snook, Perlow, & Delacey, 2005).He was acting very immature as he was throwing chairs and screaming, showing very negative leadership. He was one who cared very little for developing relationships with his players or getting along with others. Coach K scores high in the LPCs because he fits the situation of the leader-member relations, he was relationship-oriented, because he has a very caring relationship with his team, understanding them and being there for them whenever it came reflecting true leadership. His power position was not extreme because he was so close to his team members. Coach k always motivated his team...

Words: 621 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Bo Schembechler's Rivalry In Football

...leave even larger impacts in the future. There have been many great coaches in history but Bo Schembechler and his Wolverines forever changed what the word rivalry means in football. Bo schembechler was born on april 1,1929 in Barberton, Ohio and his birth name was Glenn Edward Schembechler Jr. Only Later in life was Schembechler given his famous nickname Bo. Bo’s sister Marge used to only be able to say “bobo” instead of brother so his parents and friends started calling him Bo and the name just stuck. Bo’s father was a firefighter and according to Bo he was a great role model. Bo often told one story of his father that showed how special he was to Bo; Bo’s father was up for a promotion to become fire chief and he was offered the answers to the test in advance so he would get the job. Bo’s father declined even though he knew his opponent was cheating on the test. Bo’s father ended up losing the job by one question on the test but he always said that this was...

Words: 829 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Case Study Analysis Doc.

...Case Study Analysis Paper 2-A Tale of Two Coaches Vanessa Goins Grand Canyon University LDR-600-0102 Leadership Styles and Development Professor Erick Aguilar May 11, 2013 The skills approach suggests that knowledge and abilities are needed for effective leadership. Based on field research in administration and his own firsthand observations of executives in the workplace, (Katz, 1955, p.34) suggested that effective administration (i.e., leadership) depends on the three basic personal skills: technical, human, and conceptual. Mumford and his colleague’s model are characterized as a capability model because it examines the relationship between a leader’s knowledge and skills and the leader’s performance. The model is made up of five components: competencies, individual attributes, leadership outcomes, career experiences, and environmental influences. This portion of the model illustrates three of the components and it is essential to understanding the overall skill-based leadership model (Northouse, 2010). The skills that both Coach K and Coach Knight were accounted for, for the success was technical skills. Technical skill is knowledge about and proficiency in a specific type of work or activity. It includes competencies in a specialized area, analytical ability, and the ability to use appropriate tools and techniques (Katz, 1955). Coach K and Coach Knight both used the appropriate tools, techniques, and the drills when it came...

Words: 850 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Pushing Too Hard

...these factors, it’s not surprising that some athletes simply burn out on their sport. But what is shocking to many in the field are the young ages at which this is increasingly happening -- sometimes as early as 9 or 10. The scenario often goes something like this: Eager to nurture the next A-Rod or Michelle Kwan, parents enroll their 5- or 6-year-olds in a competitive sports league or program. Over the next few years, training intensifies and expands to the off-season, making practice essentially year-round. Youngsters may join more than one league or a traveling team. They may have to sacrifice other interests and give up most of the down time that allows them to just be kids. Soon the stakes get higher because many parents and coaches play to win. Winning means recognition and that could lead to lucrative opportunities -– high school championships then college scholarships and perhaps a shot at the pros. “Kids sports have become much more competitive,” says Dr. Jordan Metzl, medical director of the Sports Medicine Institute for Young Athletes at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. “And in general, high-level competition for young kids is not a great thing,” says Metzl, co-author of “The Young Athlete: A Sports Doctor’s Complete Guide for Parents.” With more kids than ever in organized sports, an estimated 30 million of them up through high school, Metzl and other experts in sports medicine and youth athletics say they are increasingly concerned...

Words: 1007 - Pages: 5