Please answer the question below regarding the Lee Coker case?
- What are the main issues in the case (underlying causes of problems)
- What are Lee’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader? (Erin)
Lee’s style of leadership consisted of strengths and weaknesses, many of which depended on the Area Manager he was working with. Lee was known as a creative, energetic, and intelligent leader at the plant. Overall, this was a huge strength as a leader. Many staff members also appreciated that Lee focused on more than just the quantitative aspects of a project and participated in open discussion about projects. While numbers are often important in measuring effectiveness and efficiency, there are many other factors that impact the success or failure of a project. Another strength of Lee’s leadership was that he focused more on larger problems that Area Managers or Supervisors may need assistance with compared to smaller issues that may occur. Additionally, Lee would focus his time on reported problems among the newer managers rather than more experienced managers in case extra assistance was needed. Despite many strengths in Lee’s leadership style, he did have some weaknesses. Most of Lee’s leadership was characterized as one way communication. However, the type of communication utilized should vary as a leader depending on the circumstance and the audience. Based on the case, it does not seem that Lee varied his type of communication effectively.
Weaknesses
○ “Dislike for ‘bad surprises’”
○ “Did not tend to get involved unless there was a problem or he was asked for help”
○ Staff felt they received a lot of negative feedback and doubt (no praise)
○ Made staff feel a need to be defensive
○ “Always seems too busy to have sort of open discussion about it” - feels like he’s not listening
○ Directive
○ Not patient
- What are Ed’s strengths and weaknesses as a follower?
- What are the lessons you gleaned from the case that apply to you?