Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publications, 2021
Case 8.1: The Vision Failed
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Harold Barelli is the new president of High-Tech Engineering (HTE), a 50-year old family
owned manufacturing company with 250 employees. There has been only one other president
of HTE, its owner.
Harold assumes the presidency and quickly tries to change the vision, hoping to prove it as
one of the best manufacturing companies in the country. He created a two-page vision for the
company that was displayed on the walls and designed several restructurings within the
organization. The changes are producing instability among the employees, who feel left out
of the decisions and did not agree with Harold’s leadership. Morale and production dropped
and people were not engaged. Harold stepped down after 4 years at HTE.
Learning Objectives:
• Students should recognize the value of an inspiring vision and begin to understand
how a leader can create one.
• Students should demonstrate understanding of the transformational leadership theory
Answers to Questions in the Text:
1. If you were consulting with the HTE board of directors soon after Barelli started
making changes, what would you advise them regarding Barelli’s leadership from a
transformational perspective?
Harold needs to serve as a role model for the team. If he wants democracy and
participative leadership, he must emulate that (idealized influence). He needs to listen
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publications, 2021
2. Did Barelli have a clear vision for HTE? Was he able to implement it?
It is common for transformational leaders to create a vision. The vision emerges from
3. How effective was Barelli as a change agent and social architect for HTE?
The transformational approach requires that leaders become social architects. This
means that they make clear the emerging values and norms of the organization. They
4. What would you advise Barelli to do differently if he had the chance to return as
president of HTE?
If given the chance to return, Harold should spend time listening to and engaging with
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publications, 2021
Potential Teaching Approaches:
Below is a way to structure a class based on the Transformational Leadership Theory and
Case Study 8.1:
• Ask students to read Case 8.1.
• Without relying on transformational leadership, students then discuss and list (a) what
Exercises for This Case Study:
1. In small groups, students assume the role of the owner of HTE and create a
development plan for Harold, right before he leaves the company. The plan should
2. Role-Play: In pairs, students role-play a discussion between the former HTE president
3. In small groups of three to four students, create a pragmatic plan to move the HTE
organization forward with a new vision. What needs to happen, how should it happen,