Case 15.3: Ship Shape
Case Synopsis and Analysis
March of 2020 will always be remembered a volatile time in the world as Covid-19 spread
into a world pandemic. Overshadowed by the news of the spread are many stories about
human suffering, deaths, and decisions related to Covid-19. This case outlines a highly
publicized event, the dismissal of Captain Crozier from the U.S. Navy. Crozier was the
Commanding Officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. His ship was ported near Vietnam and
sailors were ashore during the early days of the Covid-19 spread. After the ship departed,
Learning Objectives:
• Students will understand how personal (or professional) ethics drives the
Answers to questions in the text:
1. The chapter states that “a leader’s choices are also influenced by their moral
development.” Applying Kohlberg’s stages of moral development to this case:
a. At what stage would classify Captain Crozier’s level of moral reasoning?
Why?
In the continuums provided by the Kohlberg model, Captain Crozier
b. At what stage would you classify Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly’s
level of moral reasoning? Why?
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publications, 2021
c. What about Rear Admiral Stuart Baker? Why?
d. What level would you classify US Defense Secretary Mark Esper? Why?
Stage 1—Obedience and Punishment. It appears, in the case, that Secretary
2. The chapter outlines three different approaches to assessing consequences–ethical
egoism, utilitarianism, and altruism.
a. Which of these approaches do you feel most accurately summarizes
Captain Brett Crozier’s approach? Why?
b. Which of these do you feel most accurately summarizes Acting Secretary
Thomas Modly’s approach? Why?
c. Which approach applies to Rear Admiral Stuart Baker?
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publications, 2021
3. What elements described in the Toxic Leadership Triangle were evident in this
case? Do you think there are examples of destructive leadership in this case?
Explain your answer.
The text speaks to the toxic triangle as it focuses on destructive leaders,
4. The chapter outlines five Principles of Ethical Leadership. Which of these
principles applied to Captain Brett Crozier’s leadership? Which principles applied
to Thomas Modly’s leadership?
The text speaks to the principles of ethical leadership to include: respect, service,
Potential Teaching Approaches:
Below is a way to structure a class, based on Leadership and Ethics and Case Study 15.3:
• Lecture on Leadership and Ethics.
• Ask students to read Case 15.3.
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publications, 2021
Exercises for This Case Study:
1. Role Play: Actors—Commander-in-Chief, Admiral, Ship Captain, and an ill sailor.
Suggest two different scenes. Scene 1) Role play the case, as written. Scene 2) Role
play the case using all five principles of ethical leadership to include to be
2. Where do you stand? This activity is about physical space and personal/ethical
beliefs. In advance create a list of 7-10 statements which outline ethical dilemmas
(e.g. it’s ok to use my company credit card for personal reasons, if I repay the
3. In a short essay (200-250 words), to be viewed only by the author, ask students to
reflect on a time when they were conflicted about an ethical situation. Outline their
personal case and the issues as it relates to the Kohlberg Model: Stages of Kohlberg’s