Discussion

Learning Activity #1

Joe Jackson owned a saw mill in Stuttgart, Arkansas. It was a family concern that had not changed in 50 years. Having grown up in the business Joe had never really investigated the strengths and weaknesses of his position as Vice President. His father was always the President and he and his older brother Jacob were the heirs. The business was in turmoil because his father's health was precarious forcing him to step down. Joe's brother was expecting to step up to the role of Vice President but Joe knew that was a mistake. The business itself was quickly eroding because of the sustainability issues facing the world. Joe could see this but not Jacob. Joe needed to have a long talk with Jacob to make him see his reasoning. Either they worked together for the future or Joe would have to take the lead role.

Prepare an outline of points for Joe to make in his discussion with his brother. Explain the role of the 21st century leader and why it differs from that of the 20th century leader. Make sure to use the course reading material, citing and referencing to validate the points you make.

Learning Activity #2

In his article, "What Leaders Really Do," Kotter (2001) [] stated, " Managers promote stability while leaders press for change, and only organizations that embrace both sides of the contradiction can thrive in turbulent times" (p. 3).
In the fact pattern below Juan Para must make a decision about hiring June Davies. Keeping Kotter's ideas in mind complete the following tasks:

• Define the leader's and manager's approach (mindset) to solving the dilemma.
• Determine Para's solution if he used the leader's perspective and then if he used the manager's perspective.
• Do you see a difference? If so what differences? If not, why not? Could the outcome be the same and still benefit the company?

Protection Insurance Stays Alive

At 7:30 a.m., Juan Para hit the snooze alarm for the third time, but he knew he could never go back to sleep. Rubbing his eyes and shaking off a headache, Para first checked his iPhone and read an urgent message from his boss, explaining that Jack Nixon, chief security analyst, had resigned last night and needed to be replaced immediately. Frustrated, Para lumbered toward the shower, hoping it would energize him to face another day. After last night's management meeting, which had ended after midnight, he was reeling from the news that his employer, Protection Insurance, was spiraling toward a financial meltdown.

Para scratched his head and wondered, "How could one of the world's largest insurance companies plummet from being the gold standard in the industry to one struggling for survival?" At the end of 2007, Protection Insurance had $100 billion in annual revenues, 65 million customers, and 96,000 employees in 130 countries. One year later and staggered by losses stemming from the credit crisis, Protection Insurance teetered on the brink of failure and was in need of emergency government assistance. Protection Insurance had been a victim of the meltdown in the credit markets. The collapse of this respected financial institution sent shock waves throughout the world's economy.

Within Protection Insurance's Manhattan office, Para and his coworkers felt growing pressure to respond to this crisis quickly and ethically. But morale was sagging and decision making was stalled. New projects were on hold, revenues weren't coming in fast enough, and job cuts were imminent. Finger-pointing and resignations of key managers had become commonplace. Strong leadership was needed to guide employees to stay the course. Para knew his first priority was to replace Jack Nixon. When leaving the meeting last night, his boss had told him, "It's critical that we keep key managers in place as we weather this storm. If we lose any managers, be sure you replace them with ones who can handle the stress and can make tough and even unpopular decisions."

Working up a sweat as he rushed into his office, Para began sorting through the day's priorities. His first task would be to consider internal candidates to replace Nixon. He pondered the characteristics required of a chief securities analyst and scribbled them on a notepad: experienced in security and regulatory issues; strong decision-making skills; high ethical standards; able to make job cuts; comfortable with slashing budgets; and respected for calm leadership. Para immediately thought of June Davies, a senior analyst who had been vocal about her desire to move up and had recently shown steady leadership as the organization started to crumble.

Davies had worked her way up through the organization, becoming a respected expert in her field. She had developed a strong team of loyal employees and made training and job development a priority. She was likable, sensitive to her employees, and a consensus builder. While many managers within Protection Insurance had made questionable business decisions, June had held herself to a high ethical standard and created a culture of integrity. Davies was focused on the future-a go-getter who knew how to get results.

With the future of the company at stake; however, Para wondered if Davies could handle the tough challenges ahead. Although he valued her team-building skills, she could be soft when it came to holding employees accountable. A large part of her motivation was to have people like her. When she reported a shortfall in earnings in the last company meeting and came under fire, she became defensive and did not want to point fingers at employees who were to blame. In fact, Para recalled another instance when Davies recoiled at the thought of firing an employee who had developed a pattern of poor attendance while caring for her sick husband. She confessed a hesitation to confront poor performers and employees struggling to balance home and work life.

Para stirred his morning coffee and wondered aloud, "Is June Davies capable of balancing kindness and toughness during a crisis? Can I count on her to be decisive and focused on top- and bottom-line results? Is she too much of a people pleaser? Will it impact her ability to lead successfully?"