MSL6000 Unit 1 Case Study - Analyze Brittany’s performance

MSL6000

Unit I Case Study

Instructions

In Chapter 2 of the textbook, locate and read Leadership Case Problem B. In a two-page essay, address the prompts below.

· Analyze Brittany’s performance as a leader, and explain how well she demonstrated ability with the four foundations of leadership. Why is the cognition foundation critically important to the organization?

· Critique Brittany’s leadership traits. Explain whether they aid in empowerment or not. Determine recommendations for Brittany to increase her empowerment of employees.

· Determine Brittany’s level of emotional intelligence, and summarize how emotional intelligence contributes to leadership effectiveness.

Please provide a meaningful introduction stating the purpose of the paper and key points to be addressed. Also, ensure you include a synthesizing conclusion. At a minimum, please include the textbook as a source. The required title page and reference page do not count toward the page requirement. Adhere to APA Style when constructing this assignment, including in-text citations and references for all sources that are used. Please note that no abstract is needed.

Resources

The following resource(s) may help you with this assignment.

LEADERSHIP CASE PROBLEM B

Blunt Brittany Brittany is the director of merchandising for Auto Pal, a large chain of automotive supply stores in the United States and Canada. The company has continued to grow in terms of stores and income, as so many more people keep their vehicles longer, and also perform more maintenance, such as oil changes, by themselves. Merchandising is a core function of Auto Pal because the chain distributes thousands of products in its stores, from floor mats to transmissions.

With profit margins thin, and heavy competition, the pace of conducting business at Auto Pal is hectic. Brittany moves quickly when dealing with her direct reports, sometimes to their surprise. Sid, a merchandise specialist for vehicle cleaning and polishing supplies, recently requested a two-week paternity leave because he and his wife were expecting a baby any moment now. Brittany replied that such a request was kind of wimpy, and a little bit out of the ordinary. “Don’t you have a mother-in-law who can help with the new baby? Or, are you so poor that you can’t hire a nanny for two weeks?” Katie, a merchandising specialist for batteries, regulators, and radiators, sent Brittany a detailed report about new procurement software that might save thousands of dollars for Auto Pal in the long run. Brittany sent back an e-mail stating in part, “Does this great new software come from a company that employs a relative of yours? We are already using state-of-the art software.”

Jeff, the office manager, and one of Auto Pal’s most senior employees, sent Brittany an e-mail asking if he could take his ten days of vacation in five two-day pieces next year instead of ten consecutive working days. The next day, Brittany wrote back, “I like your idea Jeff. In this way your work flow would be less disrupted. And besides, an old-timer like you needs a few more long weekends than the rest of us do.” One day, Auto Pal CEO Derek asked Brittany how well she was proceeding with her strategic plan for next year. Brittany replied, “Not much progress yet. I’m running around putting out fires and dealing with the realities of making sure my team gets the right merchandise into the stores. Maybe you could have one of those overpaid marketing specialists dream up a strategic plan that I could sign off on.”

Questions

1. In which leadership trait or characteristic does Brittany seem to need the most development? 2. How would you rate Brittany’s warmth and enthusiasm as a leader? 3. What action would you recommend that Derek take to improve Brittany’s leadership effectiveness?