Case study | Ed 7609 | 160over90, Inc

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Leadership Approach Demonstrated by My Leader (Case Study)

Darlene Grayson

South College

EDU 6510

December 03, 2023

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Leadership Approach Demonstrated by My Leader (Case Study)

We had a project where the goal was to ensure successful launch of a product that was

envisioned as a game changer in the market. Our leader, John, was chosen to guide the project

based on his track record of delivering results through his exceptional leadership and

management skills. In the first meeting, John clearly communicated the objectives of the project

and the roles each member would play to ensure achievement of the objectives. He explained

tasks to the team so every member could understand and follow steps towards objectives. This

involved delegating responsibilities, giving simple instructions, and outlining tasks. For instance,

some members were tasked with introducing the product to the target audience and creating

awareness about its existence, features and benefits. In addition, John set processes that all team

members could follow. He outlined how much time members needed to spend brainstorming and

designing to reach the target concept goal. He listed all the essential tasks and accurately

explained the processes. Straightforward processes helped team members maintain their focus.

They also helped improve productivity.

The leader issued a straightforward deadline for completion of various tasks. He

explained from the beginning that it was necessary for members to work within strict time

frames, as it was very important in achieving results. He set reminders at certain intervals so

every team member could remember the timeline given for tasks.

Once everybody was on their assigned tasks, John constantly offered guidance and

direction to members who were experiencing challenges. He answered questions and offered

feedback, which helped team members better understand specific roles and tasks. In addition, he

held regular meetings where team members shared problems. He addressed individual problems

and common obstacles that the team experienced.

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The leader also employed a reward system that significantly encouraged team members

to stay on task and work diligently towards exceptional results. He offered bonuses to team

members who showed outstanding performance.

John’s task-oriented leadership style, characterized by precise decision-making and

structured communication, played a pivotal role in the project’s success. Despite challenges, such

as strict deadlines and constantly emerging issues that required adjustments, the project was a

massive success. John’s leadership fostered a cohesive team environment, enabling

cross-departmental collaboration and shared accountability. The following is a detailed

description of the leadership approach he demonstrated, including strengths and criticisms.

Strengths

Decision-making

The leader assumed responsibility for the decision-making process, taking into account

input from team members, yet ultimately retaining the power to make the final decisions

independently. He led discussions to set clear objectives for the product launch, emphasizing the

importance of a robust and user-friendly product. He drew upon her specialized knowledge and

overarching strategic outlook for the organization, with the objective of implementing prompt

and resolute measures.

Communication Style

The leader effectively conveyed her thoughts and ideas with precision, coherence, and

organization. He conducted regular sessions in which he provided a comprehensive overview of

the desired results, and the necessary actions to be undertaken during the project. He

communicated duties to the team so that everyone understood and followed the required steps

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towards shared goals. In addition, he delegated responsibilities, providing concise directions, and

describing tasks.

Delegation of Tasks

Although John preferred to make high-level choices independently, he assigned specific

duties and responsibilities to members of the team. He assigned clear responsibilities to the

product development, marketing, sales, and customer support teams, ensuring everyone was

aligned with the overarching goal of a successful product launch. He effectively established clear

goals, timeframes, and performance standards, thereby guaranteeing that all team members had a

comprehensive understanding of their respective responsibilities. The leader believed that every

objective must have a specific time frame in order to be met. If necessary, he set soft and harsh

deadlines. He sometimes made it clear to the team that setting deadlines is a crucial factor in

fostering a collective sense of achievement within the team. Setting reminders for team members

and asking for their active engagement in the project is fundamental.

Efficiency and Productivity

The leader put significant emphasis on optimizing efficiency and productivity when

carrying out tasks. He ensured team members worked effectively, meeting deadlines, and

streamlining workflows to maximize productivity in developing and launching the product. He

motivated the team to work effectively by providing required resources and removing

impediments to progress.

Performance Monitoring and Feedback

The leader consistently examined the progress of the project. He monitored and evaluated

critical performance metrics, thereby offering prompt feedback to the team. Using this feedback

loop facilitated the identification of areas for improvement and ensured that the team remained

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aligned with the predetermined objectives. Besides, gathering feedback from various stages

enabled him to refine strategies and improve the product before the launch, aiming for a more

impactful market entry.

Criticisms

Micromanagement Tendencies

The leader’s stringent oversight of delegation and decision-making potentially led to

micromanagement issues. According to Tang et al. (2019), micromanagement is a management

style in which a manager closely monitors or directs the work of subordinates or employees.

Micromanagement is one of the most prevalent complaints employees have about their

employers (Tang et al., 2019). A micromanager, rather than trusting an employee to execute a

task, attempts to control every moment of their employee’s day by continually providing

feedback on how they may improve. Micromanagement may be stressful, frustrating, and a killer

of employee engagement. It is hard for an employee to fully flourish and develop without trust

and a sense of ownership over their job. It is also important to note that being overly involved in

tasks might limit autonomy and creativity among team members (Tang et al., 2019).

Lack of Proper Engagement of Team Members

A focus on objectives and tasks may, in certain circumstances, obscure the human

element. The leader’s prioritization of goal attainment inadvertently resulted in a disregard for

employee engagement or morale, which potentially frustrated members of the team. The leader

focused so much on meeting objectives that he neglected the well-being of the team members.

With task-oriented leadership, there is a continual pressure to complete tasks, which may result

in a poor work environment and poorer productivity (Demirtas, 2020).

Limited Flexibility

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Task-oriented leaders may struggle with flexibility at times (Demirtas, 2020). Our

leader’s desire for a systematic approach made it difficult for him to adjust to unanticipated

changes or new ideas that deviated from the original plan.

While I listed some of the core factors, there are some key components that I do not

readily know. I can obtain this information through industry and organization research, speaking

with other employees or stakeholders, and reviewing organizational charts and job descriptions.

In the event that I do not have access to the specific information, I can enhance my audience’s

comprehension of the background information with generalized information derived from

industry reports and other publicly accessible sources. In addition, I can engage with academic

publications and case studies examining various leadership styles and approaches.

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References

Demirtas, O. (2020). A handbook of leadership styles. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications.

Tang, K. N., & Tang, K. N. (2019). Leadership styles and organizational

effectiveness. Leadership and change management, 11-25.