Peter G. Northouse
Introduction to Leadership, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Case Notes
Chapter 1: Understanding Leadership
Case 1.1: King of the Hill
Case Summary
This brief case study explains the culture for leadership created by high school swimming coach
Denny Hill. Over a 40-year-career, Denny has created a culture of success for his team, through
clearly defined roles across all grade levels, freshman through senior. By cultivating a culture of
excellence along with high expectations, Hill has been successful in his approach to coaching.
Equally important is the notion that Hill does not explicitly focus on winning – instead he
focuses on preparing to win, which instills the leadership traits associated with winning for his
swimmers.
Case Analysis
This case clearly relates to the six “isms” of leadership defined in Chapter 1 of the text. Readers
of the case can relate Denny Hill’s leadership model to all six of Northouse’s characteristics of
leadership:
• Leadership is a Trait
• Leadership is an Ability
• Leadership is a Skill
Readers of this case might turn to these characteristics in defining the leadership characteristics
that have made Denny Hill successful over his career. Readers may also turn to the Universal
Leadership Attributes identified in Table 1.1 of the text as attributes that have contributed to
Hill’s consistent success. In addition, this case (and chapter) identify key concepts which will
be covered more in-depth throughout the remainder of the text chapters.
Peter G. Northouse
Introduction to Leadership, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. What leadership traits account for Denny Hill’s success?
2. How would you describe Denny Hill’s Leadership abilities?
3. Leadership includes administrative skills, interpersonal skills, and conceptual skills. How
does Denny Hill stack up on these skills?
Denny Hill clearly has an administrative system in place that contributes to the success of his
swimming teams and also to the organizational culture of the team. His administrative skills are
4. How does Denny Hill integrate task and relationship behaviors in his leadership?
5. From a relational perspective, how would you describe Denny Hill’s leadership?
6. In what way does Denny Hill’s coaching exemplify leadership as an influence process?