Case 3.3: Andy’s Recipe
Case synopsis and analysis
Andy Garafallo has owned a successful Italian restaurant for the last 25 years. His restaurant is
steeped in tradition, and he does not “try different fads to get people to come.” Rather, he
believes that people come to his business because they know they will get great food and
connection.
Three managers at the restaurant, Kelly, Danielle, and Patrick, each have different strengths and
weaknesses. Kelly, the kitchen manager, has difficulty getting along workers outside of the
Learning objectives:
• Students should be able to analyze an individual’s skills and deficiencies under the
Answers to questions in the text:
1) What would account for Andy’s success in the restaurant business?
Andy’s success seems to be due to his great food, reputation, and attention to customer service.
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
2) From a skills perspective, how would you describe the three managers, Kelly, Danielle, and
Patrick? What does each of them need to do to improve his or her skills?
Kelly has strong technical skills in the kitchen but seems to lack human skills with other
employees. As a middle manager, she needs to have high levels of human skills. Thus, she
3) How would you describe Andy’s competencies? Does Andy’s leadership suggest that one
does not need all three skills in order to be effective?
Andy has many of the individual attributes of a leader, including commitment, intelligence,
Potential teaching approaches:
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
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 3.3:
Exercises for this case study:
1) Role-Play in Pairs: One student is Andy and another is a leadership coach. The coach
2) Small-group work: Tell students that Andy is planning to retire in 3 years. He must
select a new CEO from among Danielle, Kelly, and Patrick. Whom should he choose?