Case 3.1: A Strained Research Team
Case synopsis and analysis
Dr. Adam Wood is the principal investigator on a research grant to study health education for
older populations (The Elder Care Project). Eleven colleagues work under Dr. Wood. Dr. Wood
has a great deal of knowledge and experience with research projects and is a competent
researcher. This project, however, is taking longer than expected and lacks focus and direction.
Dr. Wood often becomes frustrated because he is doing much of the work and feels his
colleagues are not doing enough. He rarely praises or supports the colleagues, who are also
frustrated by the scope of the project and Dr. Wood’s lack of human and social judgment skills.
Learning objectives:
• Students should be able to evaluate an individual’s skills using skill approach.
Answers to questions in the text:
1. Based on the skills approach, how would you assess Dr. Wood’s leadership and his
relationship to the members of The Elder Care Project team? Will the project be
successful?
The skills approach suggests that leaders at the top need to have high levels of
conceptual and human skills, with some technical skills as well. Dr. Wood has high
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
2. Does Dr. Wood have the skills necessary to be an effective leader of this research
team?
It is difficult to be sure, but based on the information, it seems as though Dr. Wood
does not have the skills necessary to be an effective leader of this team. He lacks
3. The skills model describes three important competencies for leaders: problem-solving
skills, social judgment skills, and knowledge. If you were to coach Dr. Wood using
this model, what competencies would you address with him? What changes would
you suggest that he make in his leadership?
Social judgment skills are the capacity to understand people and social systems.
Perspective taking, social perceptiveness, flexibility, and social performance are part
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
Potential teaching approaches:
This case study is conducive to group discussions and exercises.
Below is a way to structure a class based on skill theory and case study 3.1:
• Hold a lecture on skills approach
• Read case 3.1 and discuss question 1
Exercises for this case study:
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
– Break the class into small groups. These groups are the leadership coaches for Dr. Wood.
They should create an improvement plan for Dr. Wood, focusing on social judgment