Leadership for Managers: Case Study Analysis and Recommendations

This case study examines the leadership styles of Mitchell and his manager, George Garrow, within the context of General Products Inc. Mitchell, a responsible and proactive employee, identifies areas for organizational improvement but faces resistance from Garrow, who employs an autocratic leadership style. The analysis evaluates Mitchell's behavior as a follower, highlighting his courage, enthusiasm, and proactive approach in suggesting strategic changes. The study explores alternative approaches Mitchell could have taken, focusing on communication, research, and the presentation of successful examples to influence Garrow's decisions. Furthermore, it considers the perspective of Garrow's boss, suggesting the adoption of a Laissez-faire or contingency leadership style to address internal conflicts and encourage employee participation. The study emphasizes the importance of communication, employee value, and constructive feedback in fostering a positive and productive work environment. The document provides valuable insights into effective leadership and management strategies.

Running head: LEADERSHIP FOR MANAGERS
Leadership for Managers
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
1.0 Mitchell as follower and evaluation of his courage and style...................................................2
2.0 Approaches taken if in place of Mitchell...................................................................................3
3.0 Approaches taken if in place of Garrow’s boss.........................................................................4
4.0 Reference List............................................................................................................................7

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1.0 Mitchell as follower and evaluation of his courage and style
The case study shows that Mitchell is a responsible employee, who is liable to identify
the required changes that their organization should adopt. However, the manager follows the
autocratic leadership style. The general manager intends to take control over all decisions and
desire to make choices based on a particular ideas and judgment. Mitchell as follower is sensible
and knows which suggestion has to be considered and on which further discussion is required.
Pavur Jr (2012) stated that enthusiasm is one of the most effective leadership traits of a follower.
In such aspect, it can be said that Mitchell is enthusiastic and work selflessly by motivating
others. Followers should also know their responsibilities and Mitchell in this case know what
could enhance the performance of the organization. Lam and O'Higgins (2012) furthermore
depicted that a follower should adopt the trait of personal responsibility in developing
excellence in everyone. This can be witnessed from the attitude to suggest his manager regarding
the importance of strategic decision making. However, it is the manager’s perspective that
overlooks Mitchell’s suggestion. Bolman and Deal (2017) also highlighted that an effective
follower also possesses traits of being a life-long learners and have emotional awareness.
Mitchell intends to develop his competencies by learning new things that he was unable to do
under George Garrow. He moreover, do not create any arguments with his wife and desire to
share everything with her patiently.
Furthermore, Mitchell is courageous as he speaks to the managers regarding the negative
consequence of his manager’s decision. On the other hand, his style of approach is also good as
he present ideas with proper justification, evidences and positive consequences. It can be also
said that even through the general manager always rejected the effort of other employees,

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Mitchell finally made an argument to the manager regarding the betterment of the organization.
According to his style, Mitchell always concerned about the productivity and profitability of the
organization, General Products Inc.
2.0 Approaches taken if in place of Mitchell
Mitchell has taken necessary step to make the manager understand what should be done
for attaining maximum profitability. Mitchell along with the team of product manager also
presents graphs and chart to justify why it is beneficial to reduce the price of the products for
attaining more customers. However, the manager had chosen a different way to deny the idea by
asking them to research on factors that is somewhat irrelevant in the concerned aspect. If I were
in place of Mitchell initially, I would also follow the same step to make the manager know about
the current problem and ways that can help them to overcome the adversity. I would ask for
suggestions from all the subordinates and colleagues regarding their perception towards the
general manager. I would research the behavioral aspects of George Garrow and ask the higher
authority to look into the matter. I will follow the moral leadership traits in which I want to attain
personal integrity with other subordinates. I aim to serve my competencies for the development
of the subordinates and desire to be an example in front of them. Therefore, I want to take all of
their suggestions to the managerial people and ask for a remedy so that the organization does not
have to suffer. In this way, I can include all my colleagues in a decision making situation so that
everyone can feel the sense of equality in the workplace.
Moreover, I want to discuss the problem with the manager and ask for proper reasons
regarding the denial of the employee’s suggestions. Batool (2013) stated that communication
plays a crucial role in overcoming the problem of conflicts. Thus, it can be said that proper

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discussion will not only clear the raised contradiction but also suggest an alternate way in which
both the leaders and the subordinate can agree. Moreover, I can also present successful examples
of adopting new ideas and concepts that bring prosperity to the organization. In addition to that,
to prove my point I will also highlight some of the cases that lack success due to poor decision
making ability to highlight the fact that the manager may have to face the same problem.
Suggesting some of the remedies based on the given situation I will also make my point to the
higher authority so that they can take necessary step to avoid the future adversity. I will address
the issue that is occurring in the organization that is diminishing market share, poor competitive
advantage compared to other consumer product corporation. In addition to that, I will also
prepare a research on effectiveness of promotional activities and improved packaging system that
can benefit the organization to the higher authority. In this way, I can share my concern and
difficulty with the manager (George Garrow) in an effective way.
3.0 Approaches taken if in place of Garrow’s boss
It is evident that a person is chosen for a higher position due to their hard work,
dedication and competencies that are different from others. Thus, it can be said that George
Garrow was competent among other and aware of the necessary attributes that is beneficial for
the organization. On the other hand, I will also consider that if some employees found other
approach to be more effective and some best employee already left the organization, there must
be some issue that is rising in the workplace that need to be properly addressed. If I were in the
position of Garrow’s boss I will investigate the entire situation and desire to find out the root
cause. Moreover, as a boss, I prefer to adopt Laissez-faire leadership style, where members of
the group take more participative role. I will listen and address all the queries that Mitchell has.
Initially, I will ask Mitchell to be patient and research about the current market needs. However,

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I can also relate another leadership theory that can match my nature. Muenjohn and Armstrong
(2015) stated that there is no particular leadership style that one individual can follow and
leaders have to manage their leadership traits according to the situation. This style is known as
contingency leadership style. Yukl (2012) furthermore depicts that contingency theory allow
leader to survive for a longer time and is also liable for broadened the scope of leadership
understanding. I will prefer to overcome the problem of internal conflict and conduct a meeting
with George Garrow and Carl Mitchell so that they can discuss the issue face to face with
justification. In this way, the leadership skills in the workplace can be developed. The
communication also allows both the employee to find a mutual solution. I also want to ask for
proper reason why Garrow deny the proposal to reduce the product’s price. In addition to that, I
will also suggest some of the strategies that will reduce the other business cost so that reducing
the price of the products would not harm the organizational profitability.
I will also ask Garrow to be patient and follow the trait of giving proper justification
while denying anyone’s proposal. This aspect denotes the trait of critical thinking of a leader.
The prime reason for this approach is that an effective leader should value their subordinate’s
perspective. This will help the employees to retain in the organization for longer time. Gentry
and Sparks (2012) also suggests that this trait makes the employees to feel valued and they
intends to work collaboratively to obtain organizational goals together. I would suggest Garrow
to take initiative regarding a business approach, so that if subordinate found their leader
working, they feel enthusiastic to work more for the leaders and organization. I will also suggest
Garrow to enhance his approach, that is rather than asking employees to follow additional
approach for performing a particular business procedure that he has done while asking others to
research on weather pattern and consumer buying behavior, giving them reason for the same

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make them more convinced. Wong and Laschinger (2013) moreover suggested that an effective
leader always provide constructive feedback to the employees. Thus, in the above mentioned
situation Garrow could have been appreciated the team members for researching on different
aspects that justify the price reduction of the products, development of the products and then ask
them peacefully to find whether or not the weather has any impact on the consumer buying
behavior.

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4.0 Reference List
Batool, B.F., 2013. Emotional intelligence and effective leadership. Journal of Business Studies
Quarterly, 4(3), p.84.
Bolman, L.G. and Deal, T.E., 2017. Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership.
John Wiley & Sons.
Gentry, W.A. and Sparks, T.E., 2012. A convergence/divergence perspective of leadership
competencies managers believe are most important for success in organizations: A cross-cultural
multilevel analysis of 40 countries. Journal of Business and Psychology, 27(1), pp.15-30.
Lam, C.S. and O'Higgins, E.R., 2012. Enhancing employee outcomes: The interrelated
influences of managers' emotional intelligence and leadership style. Leadership and Organization
Development Journal, 33(2), pp.149-174.
Muenjohn, N. and Armstrong, A., 2015. Transformational leadership: The influence of culture
on the leadership behaviours of expatriate managers. international Journal of Business and
information, 2(2).
Pavur Jr, E.J., 2012. Leadership for managers. The Psychologist-Manager Journal, 15(4), p.269.
Wong, C.A. and Laschinger, H.K., 2013. Authentic leadership, performance, and job
satisfaction: the mediating role of empowerment. Journal of advanced nursing, 69(4), pp.947-
959.
Yukl, G., 2012. Effective leadership behavior: What we know and what questions need more
attention. The Academy of Management Perspectives, 26(4), pp.66-85.