Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Case Notes
Chapter 3: Understanding Leadership Styles
Case 3.1—Several Different Styles
Case Summary
Vanessa Mills is a personal banker at Lakeshore Bank and reports to three different managers at her site.
Each of her managers has a different personality and style in their management practices, which causes
them to have different approaches to leadership. Marion Woods is a numbers-driven leader and basis
success on quantifiable gains, in this case, opening accounts and accepting new services with the bank.
Bruce Dexter is also numbers-driven, and runs the weekly meetings where the current performance
Case Analysis
This case is a common case among larger firms, where multiple managers oversee personnel. In this
case, three managers have three distinctly different philosophies of leadership and leadership styles. In
assessing Marion Woods’s leadership style, one might see characteristics from both Douglas McGregor’s
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
link to the leader most similar to her preferred leadership style, it is still important that she have an
understanding of the other leadership philosophies and styles displayed by the managers at the bank.
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. Based on the assumptions of Theory X and Theory Y, how would you describe each manager’s
philosophy and style of leadership? In what way do their attitudes about Vanessa affect their
leadership?
Marion Woods would definitely be classified as a Theory X leader. She is direct, goal-driven, and focused
2. In this type of customer service setting, which leadership style would be most effective for the bank
to meet its goals? From the bank’s perspective, which (if any) manager exhibits the most appropriate
leadership? Discuss.
This could be answered in multiple ways. On one hand, a bottom line, no-nonsense approach with
3. What advice would you give to each of the managers to enhance their leadership skills within the
bank?
It appears that Marion Woods could consider a more humanistic approach to leadership. Marion could
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
4. What do you think Vanessa can do to prepare herself for her 3-month review?
Vanessa understands the philosophies and leadership styles of the three managers. She needs to be able
Case 3.2—Leading the Robotics Team
Case Summary
Anders Dahlgren is the mentor for a high school robotics team consisting of 15 students, ranging from
freshman to seniors, with 14 of the 15 students being male, and 1 student being female. Anders is
responsible for assigning a mentor to the team, and overseeing the students who are divided into two
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
The next student, Justin, is a member of the mechanical group. He is sociable and likeable, and is more
hands-on in his approach, and is willing to attempt to try to find a solution by doing other than
scheduling or planning. Anders notes that Justin is creative as a leader, but that if parameters and goals
aren’t established, the entire session can become chaotic very quickly.
Case Analysis
This case offers students an excellent opportunity to reflect on three very different leadership styles,
and determine which leadership style is the best fit for this particular situation. While there are
elements of each leadership style in all three student leaders, Pria may be best described as an
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. How would you describe the individual leadership styles of Pria, Justin, and Jerome?
Pria’s leadership style follows along the pattern of authoritarian leadership. She is a direct
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
2. Based on the assumptions of Theory X and Theory Y, how would you describe Pria, Justin, and
Jerome’s philosophy of leadership?
Pria partially resembles a Theory X leader. She is the one that is providing control and direction to
3. The robotics team will be asked to compete in a situation that sounds like it will be intense and
stressful. Do you think a democratic leader would be as effective as an authoritarian leader in this
situation?
Based on the three personalities described in this case study, an authoritarian leader may better serve