Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publications, 2021
Case 3.1: A Strained Research Team
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Dr. Adam Wood is the principal investigator on a research grant to study health education for
older populations (The Elder Care Project). Eleven colleagues work under Dr. Wood. Dr.
Wood has a great deal of knowledge and experience with research projects and is a
competent researcher. This project, however, is taking longer than expected and lacks focus
and direction. Dr. Wood often becomes frustrated because he is doing much of the work and
Learning Objectives:
• Students should be able to analyze an individual’s skills and deficiencies under
Answers to Questions in the Text:
1. Based on the skills approach, how would you assess Dr. Wood’s leadership and
his relationship to the members of the Elder Care Project team? Will the project
be successful?
The skills approach suggests that leaders at the top need to have high levels of
conceptual and human skills, with some technical skills as well. Dr. Wood has
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publications, 2021
2. Does Dr. Wood have the skills necessary to be an effective leader of this research
team?
It is difficult to be sure, but based on the information, it seems as though Dr.
Wood does not have the skills necessary to be an effective leader of this team. He
3. The skills model describes three important competencies for leaders: problem-
solving skills, social judgment skills, and knowledge. If you were to coach Dr.
Wood using this model, what competencies would you address with him? What
changes would you suggest that he make in his leadership?
Social judgment skills are the capacity to understand people and social systems.
Perspective taking, social perceptiveness, flexibility, and social performance are
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publications, 2021
Potential Teaching Approaches:
This case study is conducive to group discussions and exercises.
Below is a way to structure a class based on skill theory and Case Study 3.1:
• Lecture on the skills approach and offer clearly defined examples of the model.
• Read Case 3.1 and discuss Question 1 with the class.
Exercises for This Case Study:
1. Divide the class into half (for small classes of 30 or fewer). Half of the class stands on
the right side of the room and half on the left side. Students on the right side need to
2. Break the class into small groups. These groups are the leadership coaches for Dr.
Wood. They should create an improvement plan for Dr. Wood, focusing on social
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publications, 2021
3. Role-Play: Break the class into small groups. A few students play the colleagues, and
one student is Dr. Wood. The colleagues share their frustrations with Dr. Wood and
discuss this conflict. Students can focus on trying to find common interests (all want
the project to succeed) and work to develop a plan of action to turn the team around.
Alternatively, they can stay in “character” as written in the case study.
a. This role play could be a nice opportunity to include some conflict resolution