Case 3.2: A Shift for Lieutenant Colonel Adams
Case synopsis and analysis
LTC. Adams is a successful engineer in the Air Force who has been recognized for his
accomplishments. He recently led small teams successfully and was promoted to lieutenant
colonel earlier than his peers. About 6 months ago, he was given a new position, outside of
engineering, where he served as commanding officer of administration in an airbase with over
5,000 personnel. He was the senior human resources officer in this new position.
About 6 months ago, the government mandated significant reductions and the closures of a
number of bases. Base X was being closed as an airbase and assigned to the Army. Adams was
Learning objectives:
• Students should be able to analyze an individual’s skills and deficiencies under the
Skills Model.
Answers to questions in the text:
1. Based on the skills model, how would you assess LTC. Col. John Adams’s ability to meet the
challenges of the base administration position?
LTC. Adams has many of the individual attributes that impact leadership skills and knowledge.
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
In addition, LTC. Adams did not work diligently to develop new methods to solve problems. He
2. How would you assess his ability to meet the additional tasks he faced regarding the
conversion of the base?
3. If you were to coach Adams on how he could improve his leadership, what would you tell
him?
I would encourage working on his skill competencies, and I would urge him to seek a good deal
of immediate assistance on human resources matters. Indeed, until he has more experience, he
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 and skill model
Exercises for this case study:
1) Debate: Break the class into small groups or have a large-group debate about LTC.
2) LTC. Adams lacks problem-solving and social judgment skills as well as knowledge.
Yet he is a very competent high-potential employee. How did he get in this position, and
how could the Army have put him in charge in this way?
In small groups, students should do the following:
3) Role-Play: Students break into pairs. One student is Adams and the other is a leadership