Question

You are a new Athletic Director at a small Division II university. The athletic program that you are taking over has been in a shambles (i.e. losing records, ineffective leadership, conflict among the different departments) for the last several years. The president of the university is bringing you in to clean up the program and change its direction. In addition, as mentioned there are conflicts between departments with the worst being between the head baseball and football coaches. Football has received according to the baseball coach all the resources while only producing mediocre results on and off the field. The baseball team has been more successful but has received very few resources. The baseball coach feels like he is under-resourced in scholarships, staffing, and budget for several years compared to football. The baseball stadium is run down, with very little seating, but football just had a new stadium built which is still only half full for games. The football coach continues to want more and often enjoys receiving resources at the expense of baseball. (Both of the coaches are currently under long term contracts so firing is not an option.)

1. Explain what 4 different leadership styles that could be used in this situation and why. What leadership approach do you think is best?

2. Using strategic management outline how you would attempt to accomplish this task?

Answer 1

1)The four types of leadership style that can be used in this situation are

Autocratic leadership because here the leader gives his/her own decision without consulting the employees,taking matters in your own hand is really important here since there is a departmental fight.It is best not to leave matters in the hands of the department coaches.

Laissez-fair leadership style = Leaders allows their subordinates to take decisions but still the leader is responsible for the decision made.This style is suitable because any resources before being utilized by department have to be approved by the leader.this ensure that there fair and equitable distribution of resources.

Transactional leadership are leaders rewards their employees for doing the work effectively and efficiently.It can be used here by allocating more resources to department with show considerably better outcomes.

Parental leadership style means every department will be treated equally and managers wants trust and loyalty from every department.

The best leadership style used here is LAISSEZ FAIR.

2)Accomplishment of this task would require the following:

Setting up a vision=taking the athletic divison of the university in the proper direction.

Gathering and analysing information=It is important for a Leader to know about what the different department are capable of.This would include knowing everything about the department including the number of players,resources assigned to them,the quality of training etc.

Formulation of strategy=After gathering and analysis of information a strategy needs to be put up which would ensure every department getting what it lacks in.

Implementation of strategy=It should be ensured that every strategy is being followed by the department.

Evaluation and control=It becomes neccessary to evaluate the department at regular intervals to assure that their is proper goal implementation.