Case 5.1: Marathon Runners at Different Levels
Case synopsis and analysis
Three different groups of runners, with varying skills, knowledge and motivation, are training for
a marathon. Halfway through training, the coach, David, finds that each group is struggling for a
variety of reasons. The case study asks students to assess how David should best lead each of
these groups.
Learning objectives:
• Students should be able to determine the developmental level of three different
groups of followers under the SLII model.
Answers to questions in the text:
Questions
1. Based on the principles of the SLII model, how would you describe the runners in Group 1?
What kind of leadership do they want from David and what kind of leadership does David seem
prepared to give them?
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
2. How would you describe the fit between the runners in Group 2 and David’s coaching style?
Discuss.
The second group of runners is a bit more experienced and has a training program in place. They
want to know if changes or tweaks to their plans will help them because they want to improve
3. The experienced runners in Group 3 appear to be a challenge to David. Using SLII, explain
why David appears ineffective with this group.
4. If you were helping David with his coaching, how would you describe his strengths and
weaknesses? What suggestions would you make to him about how to improve?
David is often supportive and has knowledge about how to train. However, he does not
Potential teaching approaches:
Below is a way to structure a class based on skill theory and case study 5.1:
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
• Ask students to read 5.1
Exercises for this case study:
1) Create an action plan for David based on the situational approach. What exactly should
David do with each group this week, this month, and for the remainder of the training?
2) In small groups, students should discuss a story of inspiring leadership that they
experienced. Then they should determine what their developmental level was at the time