Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Class Activities
Chapter 5: Situational Approach
Activities
These activities may be used in either small-group or large-group settings, depending on class size and
time available. Some may also be suitable as homework or preparation for a “Flipped classroom”
experience during the next class period.
Situational Leadership Questionnaire
Have students complete the Situational Leadership Questionnaire individually and share their results in
small groups. Compile a master list of the most commonly reported development levels and actions as
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.
This could be done as a homework assignment. Assign each case to a small group that will be
responsible for emailing each member about the content of the case in between classes (i.e.,
functioning as a virtual team and copying the instructor on their messages). As a group, they should lead
Situational Leadership in Action
For this project have students pair up and observe a task group on or off campus that has at least 10
members. Having two group observers will strengthen the data collection. The group should be one in
which the students are not currently members. (An excellent option would be an orientation meeting
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
for a campus group that recruits new students every year.) Students should ask permission to sit in and
observe meetings, explaining it is for a class assignment on interpersonal communication. Ideally,
students should attend more than one meeting of the group. Questions to guide the observation: Who
Unconventional Leaders
Have students find a profile of an unconventional leader (not President Trump, Oprah Winfrey, or Bill
Gates) from a magazine, newspaper, or online source and be prepared to share in class:
• How did he or she become a leader?
Design a Study
This assignment would be most beneficial for an advanced group of students that has also taken a
research methods class. In small groups, ask students to design a study to test one of the assumptions of
Leadership Talk
Have students consider what communication behaviors would be exhibited by a leader using each of the
Word Jumble
This activity can be done in small groups to review the terms and concepts in the chapter. Groups can
report back to the full class, or exchange papers with other groups for correction. A version of this
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
leadership.
The Apprentice
In recent years, both Donald Trump and Martha Stewart have hosted “Reality TV” shows chronicling
their search for a new company hire: An apprentice. The typical format is that two teams compete to
create the best project in a short period of time, under the direction of their project manager. Each
week one person is eliminated from the competition. Show a clip from early in any season, which
focuses on one of the two teams. It should be about 15 min long, revealing enough of the stressors in
the group so that students can answer the following questions:
• How would you rate the team’s project manager (PM) on directive behavior? Supportive
behavior?
• How does the team respond to the PM’s leadership?
• How would you characterize the developmental level of the team members?
Create a Leadership Training Module
The SL II model is widely used for training leaders and managers. Training is the process of teaching or
developing skills so that people can perform their jobs more effectively. To familiarize students with the
WHEN AND HOW TO USE DIRECTING STYLE
• What employee commitment level calls for this leadership style?
• “I’ll know this is the employee’s commitment level when I see . . .” Describe at least three
specific employee behaviors that would indicate to you his/her commitment level.
• What employee competence level calls for this leadership style?
• “I’ll know this is the employee’s competence level when I see . . .” Describe at least three
specific employee behaviors that would indicate to you his/her competence level.
• Why is the directing style the most effective for this developmental level of employee?
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• Why is the directing style NOT as effective for other developmental levels of employees?
• What skills will YOU need to use this leadership style? (e.g., How to correct employee errors)
• “I will know it is time to use the coaching style when . . .” (What specific changes will you have
WHEN AND HOW TO USE COACHING STYLE
• What employee commitment level calls for this leadership style?
• “I’ll know this is the employee’s commitment level when I see . . .” Describe at least three
specific employee behaviors that would indicate to you his/her commitment level.
• What employee competence level calls for this leadership style?
• “I’ll know this is the employee’s competence level when I see . . .” Describe at least three
specific employee behaviors that would indicate to you his/her competence level.
• “I will know it is time to use the supporting style when . . .” (What specific changes will you have
seen in the employee?)
• “I will know it is time to use the delegating style when . . .” (What specific changes will you have
seen in the employee?)
WHEN AND HOW TO USE SUPPORTING STYLE
• What employee commitment level calls for this leadership style?
• “I’ll know this is the employee’s commitment level when I see . . .” Describe at least three
specific employee behaviors that would indicate to you his/her commitment level.
• What employee competence level calls for this leadership style?
• “I’ll know this is the employee’s competence level when I see . . .” Describe at least three
specific employee behaviors that would indicate to you his/her competence level.
• Why is the supporting style the most effective for this type of employee?
• Why is the supporting style NOT the best for ALL developmental levels of employees?
• What skills will YOU need to use this leadership style? (e.g., How to give appropriate rewards
WHEN AND HOW TO USE DELEGATING STYLE
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
• What employee commitment level calls for this leadership style?
• “I’ll know this is the employee’s commitment level when I see . . .” Describe at least three
specific employee behaviors that would indicate to you his/her commitment level.
• What employee competence level calls for this leadership style?
• “I’ll know this is the employee’s competence level when I see . . .” Describe at least three
specific employee behaviors that would indicate to you his/her competence level.
• Why is the delegating style the most effective for this type of employee?
• Why is the delegating style NOT as effective for other developmental levels of employees?
Writing Assignments
Contemporary Leadership
Have students write a 2–3-page reaction paper about a contemporary leadership situation with which
they are familiar. Their analysis should identify the development level and style demonstrated in the
Situational Leadership Questionnaire
Have students write a 2–3-page reaction paper that explains their score on the Situational Leadership
Campus Speakers
Colleges and universities often invite well-known speakers to campus to address important
contemporary issues. Ask students to attend such a presentation on a topic that interests them (e.g.,
global health, recycling, the job market). In what ways is the speaker a leader in his or her field? How
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One-Minute Paper Topics
What was the most important point in today’s class?
Internet Activities
Internet #1: Class Blog
In your class blog or chat room, write on some of the discussion questions provided in this chapter.
Some additional questions are suggested here:
• How can career experiences or age influence one’s leadership style?
• Why isn’t the supportive style of leadership the best for every situation?
Internet #2: Employee Engagement
Look up The Gallup Management Journal online and search the archives for a September 10, 2009,
article titled “Employee Engagement and Labor Relations.” Be prepared to discuss the following
questions:
• How does the author define employee engagement? How is it similar to or different from
follower commitment in the SLII model?
• What percentage of Americans belong to unions? Is this number increasing or declining? What is
Internet #3: Communication Currents
Look up the National Communication Association website and e-zine called “Communication Currents.”
Check the archives for the article “The Enduring Impact of Coach Messages” (Vol. 2, Issue 4). Be
prepared to discuss the following questions in class:
• What was the sample population that was studied by this researcher?
• What are the two types of regret?
• Identify the six types of regret messages.
Northouse, Leadership 9e
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Internet #4: The Compliment Guys (A, C, H, L)
Check out two Purdue University students demonstrating supportive communication on YouTube (“The
• How comfortable are you in giving compliments? Receiving compliments?
• Is your comfort level affected by your age? Gender? Culture? How well you know the other
person?
• How can compliments by one’s superior at work be helpful? Unhelpful?
Internet #5: Movie Clips
Ask students to find clips from films or TV shows on YouTube that show leaders using one of the four
leadership styles of the SL model. These can be played in class and discussed. Which leader was most
skilled in using a particular style? What was the developmental level of the follower in that situation?
Internet #6: Expanding Theory
Ask students to look up leadership-central.com. This very basic site gives overviews of the major
leadership theories including the Hersey and Blanchard model (look under Contingency Theory). Once