Case 7.2 Direction for Some, Support for Others

1. According to path-goal theory, why is Daniel an effective leader?

        This leadership theory focuses on a leader’s style, the follower’s characteristics, and the work setting.  The primary goal of the path-goal theory is to improve employee performance and employee gratification by concentrating on employee motivation (Northouse, 2013).  Motivation occurs when leadership offers additional payoffs that followers receive from their work, either by amount or type (House & Mitchell, 1974).  According to Northouse 2013, the Path-Goal theory is based on the expectancy theory, which says followers are motivated if they believe they can do the work, they believe by doing the work a certain outcome will occur, and they believe the outcome of the work is worthwhile.  

        According to the path-goal theory, Daniel has become an effective leader by selecting a leadership behavior that satisfies the motivational needs of his employees and the characteristics of the task (Northouse, 2013). When obstacles came up, Daniel helped his employees confront them, by removing the obstacle or by avoiding the obstacle.  He helped his employees by directing, guiding and coaching them along the way in order for them to reach their goals (Northouse, 2013).    

2. How does his leadership style affect the motivation of employees at the Copy Center?

        Daniel uses the supportive leadership style to motivate his employees who work in his duplicating services area.  This area consists of part-time students who are enrolled in school full-time.  Daniel uses the supportive leadership style by his willingness to always work around the part-time employee’s school schedules.  No matter what the conflict, Daniel has a reputation of being helpful with working out schedule conflicts.   By doing this his employees feel included.  

        Daniel knows the work done in the duplicating services department is tedious.  He goes out of the way to make the job more enjoyable.  He allows a casual dress code, and allows the employees to use their own music choices as background music and letting them get a little wild on the job.  Daniel spends a lot of time each day talking informally with each employee, and encourages staff to talk among each other.  Daniel encourages friendship and is not afraid to become involved in their activities.  Most importantly, Daniel has the ability to make each worker feel important even when the work is trivial.

        On the other hand, Daniel uses the achievement oriented leadership style to motivate the employees who work in the desktop publishing area.  This area consists of full-time workers.  Daniel uses the achievement oriented leadership style by giving them a lot of space.  He does make himself available when they need help, but otherwise he leaves them alone.  Through the years Daniel has found a unique type of person works best in the desktop publishing area.  Workers in this area create business forms, advertising pieces, and resumes for customers.  Advanced writing, editing, design, and layout skills are required for this type of work.  Always being able to satisfy a customer’s needs is challenging work. Daniel has found workers who are independent, self-assured, and self-motivated work best in this area.  

3. How do characteristics of the task and the subordinates influence Daniel’s leadership?

        The duplicating service Daniel offers is a tedious job.  It requires someone to take customer’s original documents and make copies of them.  To keep the job more enjoyable he allows a casual dress code, and allows the employees to use their own music choices as background music and letting them get a little wild on the job.  Daniel spends a lot of time each day talking informally with each employee, and encourages staff to talk among each other.  Daniel encourages friendship and is not afraid to become involved in their activities.  Most importantly, Daniel has the ability to make each worker feel important even when the work is trivial.