Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Case Notes
Chapter 5: Developing Leadership Skills
Case 5.1— Give Me Shelter
Case Summary
This case study explores the experiences of Theodore Henderson, an operations director for The Ross
Center, an organization serving hungry, lonely, and homeless people year-round. Henderson’s
background was one that fit within this role. He himself had spent time in a homeless shelter, had
earned a GED and enrolled part-time in a community college and eventually earned his associate’s
degree in education. After deciding that he didn’t want to pursue the needed bachelor’s degree to
become a teacher, Theo decided to become a volunteer coordinator at the Ross Center.
Case Analysis
This case utilizes the three characteristics of the Model of Primary Leadership Skills (administrative
skills, conceptual skills, and interpersonal skills). Theo Henderson appears to be naturally strong in his
interpersonal skills, but needed more work in both administrative skills and conceptual skills in order
to step into the role of the organization’s CEO.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Theo initially suffered with his conceptual skills. During his first stint as the operations manager, Theo
struggled to complete tasks that required delegating tasks, however, when forced to become the person
responsible for overseeing the building of the new facility, Theo was forced to learn concepts in strategic
planning in order to be successful in this temporary position. This helped him significantly, when he
transitioned back into the operations manager role, and was better prepared to handle those tasks and
delegate.
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. Based on the Model of Primary Leadership Skills (Figure 5.1) how would you describe Theo’s skills?
In what skills is he the strongest, and in what skills is he the weakest?
The Model of Primary Leadership Skills is an appropriate way to decipher where Theo’s strengths and
weaknesses lie. There are dimensions where Theo has demonstrated success, and other areas where he
2. Why do you think Theo was more successful in the role overseeing the new facility’s development
than he was as the operations director?
The new facility development required ground-up planning and thrived on relationship-building and
3. What skills did Theo exhibit that made Linda think he would be a good operations manager in the
first time? What skills did he learn and develop that lead her to think he would be a good CEO?
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Theo was a people person that understood the responsibilities of interacting with the community as a
4. What is your biggest “take away” from this story? What do you find most inspiring?
Case 5.2— Reviving an Ancient Art
Case Summary
Nilda Callanaupa, a Peruvian descendant of the Incas and a member of Perus’s indigenous people
became an expert weaver at an early age, and utilized her abilities to help preserve the ancient
traditions and native knowledge of her cultural practices. In the early 1970’s, before her 14th birthday,
Nilda had befriended a young couple who had moved to her village and inspired them to create a
community cultural center focused on the spinning and weaving tradition in Chinchero. By the age of 14,
she was giving weaving demonstrations at the Smithsonian Institution and the American Museum of
Natural History, and eventually went on to earn a master’s degree and a grant to study historical textiles
in Berkley, California.
Case Analysis
This case effectively highlights Nilda’s abilities across all three skills from the Model of Primary
Leadership Skills, administrative skills, conceptual skills, and interpersonal skills.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Nilda was naturally gifted in her conceptual skills. This case study illustrates that Nilda was a child
prodigy, and understood the patterns and techniques involved in weaving from a very early age.
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. Based on the Model of Primary Leadership Skills (Figure 5.1) how would you describe Nilda’s skills?
The Model of Primary Leadership Skills shows that Nilda has experience across all three skills,
2. Which skills do you feel contributed most strongly to Nilda’s success leading the CTTC?
The most important skill in Nilda leading the CTTC was her administrative skills. In order to lead such a
3. In what ways do you think Nilda exhibited Emotional Intelligence?
Nilda exhibited emotional intelligence by understanding the critical nature of her work and how it had
4. What is your biggest “take away” from this story? What do you find most inspiring?
As this is an opinion question, answers will vary from student to student.