Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Class Activities
Chapter 16: Team Leadership
Activities
These activities may be used in either small-group or large-group settings, depending on class size and
Team Excellence and Collaborative Team Leader Questionnaire
Have students complete the Team Excellence and Collaborative Team Leader Questionnaire individually
and share their results in small groups. Compile a master list showing what questionnaire scores were
Case Analysis
Assign each case to one or more small groups for in-class analysis and discussion. Each small group
should then report back to the entire class about the results of its group work.
Dilbert Cartoons
Dilbert cartoons offer abundant examples of managerial incompetence and team incompetence. They
make appealing discussion openers, as well as practice test questions: “What concept from the chapter
does this strip illustrate? How?
Thinking in Pictures
Elsewhere in the textbook, leadership has been described as a mantle. What images come to mind with
the concept of team leadership? Is it like weaving together different strands of energy? Or making a
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Safe Talk
One of the marks of team excellence is a collaborative climate. “Effective team leaders can facilitate a
collaborative climate by managing their own needs to control, by making communication safe, by
demanding and rewarding collaborative behavior, and by guiding the team’s problem–solving efforts”
(LaFasto & Larson, 2001). In small groups, have students discuss what constitutes “safe communication”
Team Teaching Exercise
Divide the class into small groups. Assign each team one part of Hill’s Team Leadership Model to teach
to the class. Since there are three parts to the model, you may have several teams teaching the same
part, so the tasks below can be subdivided. Allow 15 min for preparation. Students can use skits, games,
acronyms, Q and A or any teaching method they wish. Each team has 5 min to present its level of the
model. Each team must also address the following questions in its presentation:
How does this part of the model work?
Why is it important?
Jeopardy Quiz
This exercise is a fun way of reviewing the reading material without lecturing on it. Students can respond
individually or be grouped in teams that compete with one another for points. It helps to have at least
one question per student so that everyone is called on. Or the instructor can begin each class with a set
number of answers and call on different students each time. Paris of students can also be assigned to
create the Jeopardy quiz for the next class.
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
What is the mental model?
Who is Hill?
It is the first leadership decision.
Should I monitor the team or take action?
Should I intervene to meet task or relational needs?
Should I intervene internally or externally?
What is internal task leadership?
What is internal relational leadership?
What is external environmental leadership action?
What is team effectiveness?
What are standards of excellence?
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
What is principled leadership?
What is internal relationship?
What is internal task problem?
Office Space
Option 1) Play part of an episode of the TV series “Office Space” in class and apply any of the concepts
Integration Discussion
Review some of the earlier theories that deal with follower motivation, such as situational leadership,
path-goal theory, and transformational leadership. How do they compare to the internal leadership
Online Instruction
Some colleges and universities offer an online version of this course. Try teaching this chapter online,
using tools such as podcasts, online discussion boards, online quizzes, and so on. Assign students to
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Guest Speaker
Invite an alumnus or local business person to speak to your class about how his/her organization uses
virtual teams. Can they demonstrate any non-proprietary software the company uses to communicate
Writing Assignments
Contemporary Leadership
Option 1) Have students write a 2–3-page reaction paper about a contemporary example of team
leadership, which could be based on a team to which they currently belong. Their analyses should
describe how effective the leader is/was in promoting team effectiveness and provide specific examples
that explain the factors contributing to effectiveness. Students should also discuss how team leadership
theory provides a useful way to understand the leadership shown by this individual.
Team Excellence and Collaborative Team Leader Questionnaire
Have students write a 2–3-page reaction paper that explains their scores in relation to a team to which
they currently belong or have belonged in the past. Their papers should describe their perceptions of
Interview a Coach
Have students interview a college athletic coach about his or her leadership style. How does he or she
define leadership? What is his/her mental model of the coaching situation? What types of decisions
does he or she need to make? When does he or she intervene in a situation? How does he or she
diagnose athlete or team deficiencies? Head off future problems? Balance task and relational concerns?
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
One-Minute Paper Topics
What’s the most effective team you’ve ever belonged to? What made it so effective? (C)
Internet Activities
Internet #1: Class Blog
In your class blog or chat room, write about some of the discussion questions provided in this chapter.
Some additional questions are suggested here:
Internet #2: Communication Currents
Look up the National Communication Association website and e-zine called “Communication Currents.”
Check the archives for the article, “Twitter and Its Impact on American Governance” (Vol. 4, Issue 2). Be
prepared to discuss the following questions in class:
• How can Twitter affect the legislative process?
• As a form of backchannel communication, what is an appropriate use of Twitter by a leader? Is
tweeting during someone’s speech appropriate? Why or why not?
Internet #3: Dilbert Mashups
Ask students to go online and look up the daily Dilbert cartoon (www.Dilbert.com). The site allows them
to write their own dialogue to the daily strip by clicking on the “mashup” button above the strip. They
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Internet #4: Skyping a Leader
If your classroom has Skyping capability, invite a business leader who works virtually with his or her
team to speak to your class about how technology is used in the company to get work done. Is there an