Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Case Notes
Chapter 13: Overcoming Obstacles
Case 13.1—Student Maid
Case Summary
Kristen Hadeed accidently created her own business as a college student to earn extra money. After her
business exploded and she landed a contract to clean a large complex of apartments, she quickly
learned that running a business wasn’t as simple as hiring people to work for you. Once her workforce
was hired, they went to work while she attempted to supervise. More than half of her employees quit
on the same day, and in a scramble, she tried to think of what she could do in order to get those
workers back because she knew she couldn’t do the work on her own. She listened to their concerns,
admitted to mistakes, and encouraged them to come back, evolving into a leader, and not just a
supervisor.
Case Analysis
This case begins with an individual that had no leadership experience or business experience. Kristen fell
into something on accident and had to do her best to adapt to the situation as it evolved. The basic
tenants of path-goal leadership apply, as she was able to identify obstacles that needed to be resolved.
She was able to come up with creative and innovative solutions to help her workers feel more confident
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. Based on what you learned in Chapter 8, how did the methods Student Maid leaders implemented
create a constructive climate? How was that climate helpful in overcoming obstacles?
Student Maid leaders created a constructive climate by allowing its employees to feel as though they
2. Which of the seven major obstacles as derived from path-goal theory discussed in this chapter did
the employees at Student Maid experience?
The major obstacle from path-goal theory discussed in this chapter is directly related to motivation. At
3. Describe how Kristen used directive, supportive, participative, or achievement-oriented leadership
to work through the challenges?
The primary leadership that was used for Student Maid was participative leadership. Kristen used
participative leadership by always speaking with the employees before making changes to policy’s or
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
4. Imagine that you owned Student Maid. How would you have handled the obstacles Kristen Hadeed
faced? What specific things would you do as a leader to ensure a positive constructive climate at
Student Maid?
This question is an opinion question and answers will vary from student-to-student.
Case 13.2—The Improbable Kodiak Bears
Case Summary
Coach Amy Rakers was the first female head coach of the varsity boys’ basketball team, the Kodiak
Bears. Coach Rakers, as well as the athletic director, received negative comments and feedback from
students, team members, fans, and other coaches that were not supportive of the decision to hire a
female to lead a boys’ team. Rakers dealt with negative remarks that would be considered sexist and out
of line. Though met with this challenge, Rakers was able to focus on coaching her team, teaching the
game of basketball, and eventually getting to know the other coaches to obtain acceptance.
Due to the hard work of the team, they went 25-0, making it to the championships. Because of the
culture that was created by Coach Rankers, more than half of the town traveled to the championship
game to support their team and community. The Kodiak Bears won their first championship, and were
later entered into the Hall of Fame.
Case Analysis
An unconventional choice in hiring Amy Rakers led to a complete change in the way that the team
played the game, the togetherness of the community in which they lived, as well as the perceptions that
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. Unclear Goals and Unclear Directions are listed in the chapter as the first two obstacles to
leadership. Discuss how these apply to this case and how Coach Rakers addressed each of these.
Unclear goals apply to this case partially due to the expectations that Rakers had for herself and others.
Rakers wanted to ensure that her team was successful, and she faced barriers of acceptance that led her
2. The Kodiak basketball team faced a multitude of obstacles and challenges, yet the team, led by
their coach did not lack motivation.
a. List and discuss the various obstacles and challenges the team faced.
The team faced many challenges throughout their time as a team together. At first, the team was
b. Discuss the obstacles Coach Rakers personally faced, how did she address them.
It is abundantly clear that Coach Rakers faced gender-related issues at the beginning of her career as the
coach of the Kodiak Bears. Many comments were made such as she should “go back to her knitting.”
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
c. How did she assist her team in maintaining motivation in the face of these challenges in particular
what did she do to:
i. Help them feel confident
One of the main issues that the team faced was the fact that there were no teams to compete against
ii. Help them identify and meet their own expectations
Rakers made sure the students knew what was expected of them. She outlined each of her team
iii. Help them to value what they did
The end result of winning and seeing the fruit of their labor was the most important way that Rakers
3. The chapter discusses four leadership styles and presents them in response to various types of
challenges faced by teams and followers. For each of the following categories, discuss the obstacles
that Kodiak Bears could have faced which fit into that category and how Coach Amy Rakers did or did
not address those obstacles with the appropriate leadership style.
Category of
Obstacle
Leadership
Style
Obstacles Kodiak Bears
Faced
Amy Rakers’ Response
Complex Tasks
Directive
Leadership
Kodiak’s program was
nowhere near as organized
as other programs, and
Rakers made it a point for each
player to know their role on the
team, and how they fit within the
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Additionally, there were
travel concerns and limited
financial resources.
they could make it to the state
championship and inculcated that
into each team member.
Low
Involvement
Participative
Leadership
In addition to the limited
organization, shifting
expectations when financial
roles and responsibilities for
team members.
Leadership
opponent in the
championship game.
the plan, and if they were going
to lose, lose playing their game.
Understanding how to prepare
for each challenge and to prepare
for teams more challenging than