Case 5.3: Getting the Message Across
Case synopsis and analysis
Ann Caldera is the program director of a college radio station that hires new students each year.
Students are highly motivated to be hired and work at the station. Once hired, students often fail
to follow FCC rules for airtime, which can result in serious problems for the station.
Ann is frustrated by the FCC violations, since she puts a lot of effort into helping new DJs and
gives them handouts about the rules. She also spends time building personal relationships with
the students and wants them all to be happy.
Ann seems, on paper, to be a likeable and strong leader. However, students are new to FCC
rules/regulations, and Ann needs to offer them very clear direction to ensure their success. These
students need a bit less support and motivation and more clear direction.
Learning objectives:
• Students should be able to determine the developmental level of a group of followers
Answers to questions in the text:
1. What’s the problem at WCBA?
2. Using SLII as a basis, what would you advise Ann to do differently at the station?
3. Based on situational leadership, what creative schemes could Ann use to reduce FCC
infractions at WCBA?
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
Ann could conduct regular training sessions on the rules herself or delegate that task to a
Potential teaching approaches:
Below is a way to structure a class based on skill theory and case study 5.3:
• Ask students to read case 5.3
• Students then brainstorm ways to lead the groups without relying on situational approach
Exercises for this case study:
1) In small groups, students should further analyze why Ann was failing. What assumptions
did she make about the new students? Why did she not recognize the flaws in those
assumptions?
2) Create an action plan for Ann based on the situational approach. What exactly should she
do with the group to help them? Create a step-by-step plan for Ann that will help her