Case 5.3: Getting the Message Across
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Ann Caldera is the program director of a college radio station that hires new students each
year. Students are highly motivated to be hired and work at the station. Once hired, students
often fail to follow FCC rules for airtime, which can result in serious problems for the
station.
Ann is frustrated by the FCC violations, since she puts a lot of effort into helping new DJs
and gives them handouts about the rules. She also spends time building personal relationships
with the students and wants them all to be happy.
Ann seems, on paper, to be a likeable and strong leader. However, students are new to FCC
rules/regulations, and Ann needs to offer them very clear direction to ensure their success.
These students need a bit less support and motivation and more clear direction.
Learning Objectives:
• Students should be able to determine the developmental level of a group of
followers under the SLII model.
Answers to Questions in the Text:
1. What’s the problem at WCBA?
2. Using SLII as a basis, what would you advise Caldera to do differently at the station?
3. Based on situational leadership, what creative schemes could Caldera use to reduce
FCC infractions at WCBA?
Ann could conduct regular training sessions on the rules herself or delegate that task
to a seasoned, competent, and motivated person working at the station. Doing so
Potential Teaching Approaches:
Below is a way to structure a class based on the situational approach and Case Study 5.3:
• Ask students to read Case 5.3.
Exercises for This Case Study:
1. In small groups, students should further analyze why Ann was failing. What
assumptions did she make about the new students? Why did she not recognize the
flaws in those assumptions?
2. Create an action plan for Ann based on the situational approach. What exactly should
she do with the group to help them? Create a step-by-step plan for Ann that will help
3. Group Discussion: Assume that there are one or two DJs who have been at the station
for a while and who understand the FCC rules. How can Ann rely on these more
developed DJs to help mentor the new DJs? If you were Ann, how would you devise