Case 14.3: Starts with a Bang, Ends with a Whimper
Case synopsis and analysis
Kim Green, a faculty member from the management department of a major university, has been
asked to chair a committee tasked with planning the mission of the university for the next 20
years. The president gave the committee its charge: “What should Northcoast University be like
in the year 2020” and told members to make this a high priority.
Learning objectives:
1. Students will be able to apply the eight characteristics of team excellence to a team.
Answers to questions in the text:
1. Which characteristics of excellence were lacking in this task force?
The eight characteristics of team excellence are: clear, elevating goal, results-driven structure,
competent team members, unified commitment, collaborative climate, standards of excellence,
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
The ability of a team to collaborate or work well together is essential to team effectiveness. A
collaborative climate is one in which members can stay problem focused, listen to and
2. Which characteristics of excellence were evident in this task force?
3. How would you assess Kim as a leader?
4. What actions would you take (internally or externally) if you were the leader of this task
force?
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
There needs to be some internal and external changes to help the team function better and
Potential teaching approaches:
Below is a way to structure a class based on case study 14.3:
• Hold a lecture on teamwork.
Exercises for this case study:
1) Students turn back the clock and assume the role of president of the university. The
president wants to create a committee tasked with developing a new mission for the
university.
First, what type of person should lead this committee? Students should create a profile of
a leader for the committee and also make a list of five employees (using their job titles)
Second, students should create the assignment for the committee. What should this
committee do? The president should offer some guidelines so that the team has clear
goals.
2) Students should create a list of three key mistakes the president of the university made
with this task force. What did he/she do wrong, and how could he/she fix these mistakes?