Human Relations

Case Study # 3: So, Is this how you learn leadership?

1.) What is your opinion of the contribution of Olsen’s representative experiences to his development as a leader?

Although Len has only been an assistant manager for only three short months, his leadership skills have already been put to the test. Len, however, would disagree with this statement because he is unable to see the big picture. Our text defines leadership as “the process of bringing about positive changes and influencing others to achieve worthwhile goals”. That being said our text also highlights that the two key words of this definition are “changes” and “goals”. Len may not realize but each one of these three situations refers to at least one of these words. For example Len brought about a positive change when he effectively managed a crisis. The crisis I am referring to is the customer who spilled hot coffee on herself while answering the phone. Len was effectively able to calm the customer down by offering for the restaurant to pay for her dry cleaning. He clearly demonstrated the effective leadership traits of self-confidence and courage by standing his ground while the customer threatened with a lawsuit.

While Len may have been an effective leader in the above situation, the other two imply that his leadership skills clearly need a bit of development. It is absolutely imperative that Len set the bar and establish high expectations for his is employees. Gus, the salad chef, was in clear violation of company policy and (if he drove to work) the law. Alan should ask himself the questions “Has Gus done this before,” “Do the other employees suspect he has come to work intoxicated before,” and “Are there any negative changes in Gus’s life that would cause him to behave this way?” There could be a much bigger issue at hand here and while Len may have temporarily solved the problem, Gus definitely needs a second look. If I were Len then I would confront Gus (when he is sober of...