Peter G. Northouse
Introduction to Leadership, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Case Notes
Chapter 7: Creating a Vision
Case 7.1: A Clean Slate
Case Summary
As a newspaper editor responsible for delivering printed content to a Midwestern town, Nick
Gibbons was now forced to reconfigure his paper to mostly digital content and downsize his
staff. This would require 75% of his workforce losing their positions with the newspaper. Nick
was put in a position where he had to reconfigure his staff and start from the ground up to bring a
new vision to the newspaper.
Nick engaged in three-prong approach which included (1) sharing with his staff that they had
Case Analysis
This case study focuses on a major industry change, which required editor, Nick Gibbons, to
alter his newspaper’s vision, with appropriate strategic planning for the long-term. Gibbons was
forced to deliver difficult news to his staff, however, his values remained in place, and he chose
to retain as many of his staff as he could, as long as they were committed to the newspaper
Peter G. Northouse
Introduction to Leadership, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. What is Nick Gibbons’s vision in this case study? How is it similar to or different from the
vision of the owners of the paper? Discuss the unique challenges a leader faces when required to
implement a vision of his or her superiors.
Nick’s vision was to report the news and inform the community, no matter what format of media
he was required to use. Thus, when the owners of the paper informed him he would be switching
to a mostly digital content, although he wasn’t necessarily supportive of that vision, he began
2. Why do you think Nick wanted to open the workings of the paper up to the public? How is this
related to his vision?
Nick realized that in the short-term, consumers would not adjust well to the format of news
3. Visions usually require changing people’s values. What desired changes in values are
highlighted by this case study?
Nick realized that the newspaper industry had changed with the increase of the Internet as a
4. How well did Nick Gibbons articulate his vision for the paper? If you were in Nick’s shoes,
how would you articulate your vision in this case?
Nick’s first step was convincing his staff that they would have to “forge the future for local
journalism and make a contribution to this movement.” He retained staff members that were
willing to support that vision and allowed them the opportunity to grow and learn in a new
Peter G. Northouse
Introduction to Leadership, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
5. Do you think the newspaper will thrive under Nick’s leadership? Why?
Yes, the newspaper should thrive under Nick’s leadership. Nick appropriately planned for a