Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Case Notes
Chapter 8: Establishing a Constructive Climate
Case 8.1: A Tale of Two Classes
Case Summary
This case study highlights two different approaches to a college communication class, noting the
difference in structure and the techniques each professor uses in their respective courses.
Case Analysis
Both professors in this case study teach the same discipline (communication), however, the structure of
each class is very different for the students who take each course. Professor Gardner’s course has a
clearly defined structure in order to meet the norms he established for the course. Gardner’s teaching
philosophy reflects cohesiveness, where students become a community of learners and interact with
each other without being permitted to use technology.
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. In establishing a constructive climate for his or her class, what kind of structure has each professor put
in place?
Professor Steve Gardner has created a classroom environment structured to be free from distractions.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
2. How would you describe the group norms for each class?
In Professor Steve Gardner’s class, he has created an environment that allows for synergy. Because the
students have taken the time to learn each other’s names and also are not distracted by technology,
3. What actions has each professor taken to establish cohesiveness in his or her class?
In Professor Steve Gardner’s class, cohesiveness is established through consistent standards and
4. What standards of excellence has each professor established for his or her course?
Professor Steve Gardner requires results, reviews results, and rewards results. Clear and articulate
5. Which class atmosphere would you do best in? Why?
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Case 8.2—Challenging Courtroom Culture
Case Summary
Judge Pratt is the judge of a low-level, non-violent repeat offender criminal court in Newark, New Jersey
known as the Part Two Criminal Court. Newark had recently adopted a pilot program, Newark
Community Solutions, with the goal of criminal justice reform, specifically targeting stopping the cycle of
people going in and out of jail. The program was modeled after the Red Hook Justice Center approach in
Brooklyn, New York.
Many of the services were not available or financially viable when Judge Pratt started. However, she did
what she could on her own to do what she could to implement as much of the system as she could. She
was able to work with defendants on a more personal level, helping them to overcome addiction and
drug use, however, she did face challenges. She needed to help the entire court system shift their
thinking, especially with prosecutors, who were used to seeking as much punishment as they could for
offenders. She also had to help the prosecutors work with the defense to seek punishments that were
appropriate for particular crimes. It is also noted that the program also will work with crime victims as
well, providing victim support networks and social services for all community members who walk in and
request them.
Case Analysis
This case focuses specifically on the climate of the courtroom. It also introduces the four tenants of
procedural justice, which are neutrality (defendants trust that the process is impartial), respect
(defendants must be treated with respect), understanding (defendants clearly understand what is going
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. A positive environment is shaped by the degree to which people feel they are supported,
appreciated, and encouraged for their roles. Discuss how Judge Pratt has or has not created this type
of environment in her courtroom.
Judge Pratt has created this environment through modeling the behaviors that were present in a similar
2. Providing structure is important to developing a constructive climate. The book lists the following
three ways a leader provides structure, for each one, describe how they are applied in Judge Pratt’s
courtroom:
a. Establish concrete goals
3. As discussed in the chapter, “norms emerge as a result of how leaders treat followers and followers
treat each other. When a leader brings about constructive norms it can have a positive effect on the
entire group.” Describe how Judge Pratt used this concept to change the culture in her courtroom,
both with the court staff and with the defendants who appeared before her.
In terms of working with the court staff, Judge Pratt made sure a norm was established that defendants
were to be helped and not punished. For a prosecuting attorney, success was to be measured no longer
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
4. Cohesiveness, described as a sense of “we–ness,” may seem an odd fit with a criminal courtroom.
Reviewing the description of cohesiveness in the text, describe how that concept contributes to the
constructive climate of Judge Pratt’s courtroom.
In order for the courtroom to be successful, it required all participants, judge, prosecuting attorney,
a. The text lists the following leadership actions for building cohesiveness. Which of these do you
think Judge Pratt found most useful and how did she apply them?
1.
Create a climate of trust.
2.
Invite group members to become active participants.
4.
Be willing to listen and accept group members for who they are.
5.
Help group members to achieve their individual goals.
6.
Promote free expression of divergent viewpoints in a safe environment.
7.
Allow group members to share leadership responsibilities.
interaction.
Action #1 – Create a climate of trust – this was clearly implemented in Judge Pratt’s courtroom in
allowing the defendants to have a voice and say in their sentencing and rehabilitation. By allowing the
defendants the opportunity to be heard and have choice, this creates a climate of trust.
Action #2 – Invite group members to become active participants – it is mentioned that the original role
of the prosecuting attorney is more punitive than rehabilitative. Judge Pratt emphasized the notion that
prosecuting attorneys need to be a part of the solution, moving their role to more restorative in nature.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
b. Table 8.1 provides a list of positive outcomes for Cohesive Groups. Identify and explain which of
these apply to this case.
Two particular positive outcomes for cohesive groups are present in this case; conform more closely to
5. How did Judge Pratt apply the six essential factors of promoting standards of excellence to the
cultural shift in the Part Two Criminal Court?
Factor #1 – What group members know and what skills they need to acquire – cohesion between all
stakeholders is critical for this factor. All members of the court system had to understand the structure
of the system and the overall mission for rehabilitation of defendants.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021