Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Case Notes
Case 6.1: Ready to Be CEO?
Case Summary
Christine Jorgens’s experience, dedication, and passion for her organization – Begin the Future
Foundation – had led her in an unexpected position as a potential candidate to become the
Foundation’s new Chief Executive Officer. Although Christine had never deliberately planned to pursue
this particular leadership opportunity, she was now considering whether or not she had the experience,
skill, and strategic planning abilities to ascend to the highest position in her organization.
Case Analysis
This case provides a unique look at strengths-based leadership, highlighting the strengths that Christine
Jorgens exhibited over a 12-year period with the Begin the Future Foundation. Christine clearly was
dedicated to the organization and committed to the organization’s mission and vision. Those strengths
were what convinced the board that she would be the perfect choice to be the organization’s new Chief
Executive Officer.
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. Strengths are considered inborn traits that can be enhanced with experience. What experiences in
Christine’s background helped her develop her strengths?
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
It could be argued that Christine’s childhood and adolescence from a rural area where her family
2. Of the strengths identified by the assessments, which were directly observable in Christine’s work?
Were there any that were not?
Five skills were listed as strengths in Christine’s skill assessment: strategic planning, relationship
building, creativity, compassion, and influencing. The only directly observable strength based on
3. Christine admitted having some weaknesses, especially in day-to-day management of the
organization. Which of her strengths could she put into use to help her deal with that, and how?
Christine may not have demonstrated day-to-day management in her role, but this is also because she is
spending a lot of time directly working with children and programming and meeting with donors and
4. What strengths should Christine seek from others that would complement her own and fill some
gaps?
Two potential areas stand out as skills that Christine should seek from others, both related to
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Chapter 6: Engaging Strengths
Case 6.2— The Strength to Stand Out
Case Summary
This case study provides a biography of Sociologist Dr. Brene Brown, research professor, speaker, and
author, who studies difficult topics such as shame, vulnerability, courage, and empathy. Brene had
moved a number of times as a child, moving from New Orleans to Houston to Washington D.C. and back
Brene eventually became a professor at the University of Houston, and instead of presenting her
research in a traditional, peer-reviewed manner, she instead wanted to present her findings in a more
mainstream manner. She self-published her first book, and received enough recognition to attract a
Case Analysis
This case study is an excellent representation of the strengths of Dr. Brene Brown. In this passage, it is
made clear that Brown understands her own strengths, thus becoming realized strengths, and also
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. Based on the case study narrative and what you learned about Brene and her work from the TED
Talk videos:
a. Based on the strengths listed in Table 6.1, select five strengths that you think are descriptive of
Brene Brown. Explain your answer.
Of the 34 Talent Themes presented in Table 6.1, Dr. Brene Brown displays achiever, focus, self–
assurance, empathy, and strategic.
Self-assurance is another important strength. When faced with decisions that might not be supported
by others, such as her methodology, publishing preferences, or willingness to become a part-time
faculty member, in order to take extreme risks that may have been detrimental for her career, Brown
had to be self-assured in the decisions she was making.
b. Based on your answer to the previous question, which of the 4 Domains of Talent Themes found in
Table 6.2 (Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, or Strategic thinking) do you think best apply
to Brene? Which domain do you believe is her strongest? Explain.
Executing and Relationship Building appear to be browns greatest strengths. She was able to accomplish
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
2. Based on the case study narrative above and what you learned about Brene and her work from the
TEDTalk videos:
a. Which of the Values in action (VIA) character strengths (Table 6.3) would you attribute to Brene
Brown?
The primary character strength from the Values in Action character table attributed to Brene Brown is
b. On a scale from 1-5 (5 being high) how would you rate Brene in each classification of the VIA (Table
6.3)? Explain your ratings.
Classification
Strengths
Ranking
Explanation
Wisdom &
Knowledge
Creativity
Curiosity
Open-Mindedness
4
Brown clearly demonstrates a love of learning and a
curiosity for the experiences of others. As a sociologist,
her ability to watch and observe people has been made
very clear and a prominent consideration in her work.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Civic Strengths
Teamwork
Temperance
Strengths Over
Excess
Forgiveness
Modesty
Prudence
Self-Regulation
2
In her speaking, Brown may be perceived as very
modest. This isn’t necessarily explicitly stated in the
case study or a strength that she particularly highlights
in her story.
Gratitude
Hope
Humor
Religiousness
3. In applying the CAPP’s perspective, strengths are defined as “the things that we are good at and
that give us energy when we are using them.” Based on the definitions for the CAAP’s categories:
a. Identify and list Dr. Brene Brown’s “realized strengths.”
b. What would you consider Dr. Brene Brown’s “unrealized strengths” to be?
Brown is a natural leader, but this is something that she does not openly express in her TedTalks.
c. Can you identify any “learned behaviors” as defined by this model?
d. Can you identify any “weaknesses” as defined by this model?
Both the TedTalk and case study itself do not necessarily highlight any particular weaknesses of Brown.