Case: The CCC Company

I. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Inappropriate leadership style under worsening living conditions (i.e. depleting wood supply, influenza epidemic, low morale, inclement weather). II. OBJECTIVES To maintain an orderly and healthy working/living environment within company 2711 in carrying out their duties and functions. III. AREAS OF CONSIDERATION COMPANY 2711
i.

Aug 1937 - CCC was moved from the vicinity of Hot Springs Arkansas to the backwoods of Johnson Country, Arkansas and assigned to construct a state park on the bank of Winding Creek;

ii.

Aug-Oct 1937 built necessary camp buildings and facilities and prepared for the coming winter. During which the company lived in temporary camps and subjected to several heavy storms;

iii.

Nov 1937 Company 2711 was noted to be at the bottom of the list for disciplinary summaries;

iv.

Nov 15, 1937 A new commander was assigned to Company 2711 Lt. Thomas Williams.

LT. THOMAS WILLIAMS:

i.

Recent graduate from college;

ii.

With no command experience worked previously as supply officer, exchange officer, mess officer, and transportation officer;

iii.

Was appointed by Col. John Mott to command Company 2711.

THE ESCALATION OF THE PREDICAMENT:

i.

Unusual fall of heavy snow has retained the entire company in camp for several weeks covering the mountain side with a white blanket of eighteen inches deep;

ii.

Influenza epidemic was developing:

a. Approx. 34 % (61/176) are diagnosed to have influenza; b. Approx. 11% (20/176) are in convalescence stage, the physician

advised they should not be taken out of the current weather;

iii.

Companys fuel supply had been exhausted except for a yard full of logs, which could not be burned unless they were cut into proper length and split to smaller sizes:
a. Wood needed for cooking and to keep the barracks and the hospital

wards warm (less than a day of cut wood is left);

b. Nobody is either healthy enough or willing enough to cut the wood; iv.

The kitchen personnel were so shorthanded that each man had to work in a double shift in order to prepare meals.

INFERENCE (Grounds for the Alternative Courses of Action): Upon observation of case facts, it can be inferred that Lt. Thomas practices paternalism in commanding company 2711. Paternalism is where an authority undertakes to supply needs or regulate conduct of those under its control in matters affecting them as individuals as well as in their relationships to authority and to each other.

Such an approach amid favorable conditions might prove sufficient, but under dire circumstances, it is herefore deemed inappropriate. As such, the following are the alternatives of getting things done and the approach to which they shall be carried (See Appendix A for brief descriptions of these styles):

IV. ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION

1. Practice Authoritarian1 Style in doing the following: a. Implement infectious control measure to prevent the spread of

influenza quarantine must be instituted;

b. Implement shifting schedule to maximize the manpower for the 3

priority tasks (i.e. Ward, Kitchen and Wood Duty) on the basis of health conditions:
1

Used when leaders tell their employees what they want done and how they want it accomplished, without getting the advice of their followers

i. Sick personnel should remain in the quarantine area; ii. The convalesced should be assigned in the kitchen; iii.

The physically fit personnel should be ordered to cut the wood; and

iv. The fit and trained in medical assistance can be assigned in the

ward to aid the sick;

c. Enforce sanctions for insubordination. Ultimately, it shall become

ground for court martial; d. Impose a new health regimen to combat the epidemic:
i. Nutritional/Dietary Supplements; ii. Physical Exercises; and iii. Hygiene Measures (e.g. constant hand washing, etc).

ANALYSIS: Advantages
i. ii. iii. iv. v.

Decisions are made quickly; Clear directions are given; Power struggles are prevented; Reduced stress due to increased control; A more productive group while the leader is watching;

vi.

Improved logistics of operations;

Disadvantages
i. Increased workload for the leader; ii. Teams become dependent upon their leader; iii. Breeding resentment among followers; iv. Focusing on short-term success; v. Negative impact on workers;

2. Practice Participative2 Style to remedy the problem by doing the

following:
a. Consult with people next in his rank to come up with appropriate

actions;
b. Consult with the physicians which of the soldiers are physically

capable of carrying out orders;

c. Implement infectious control measure to prevent the spread of

influenza quarantine must be instituted; and

The leader maintains the final decision making authority. Note that a leader is not expected to know everything this is why you employ knowledgeable and skillful employees. This is normally used when you have part of the information, and your employees have other parts

d. Discuss the importance of having people work for the priority tasks (i.e. Ward, Kitchen and Wood Duty) and ask for volunteers for each. ANALYSIS Advantages
i. High job satisfaction and morale among the followers; ii. Chances of good decisions are more due to involvement of

followers;
iii. Joint

responsibility for the successful implementation of

decisions; and
iv. Decision making ability in subordinates is cultivated. This

facilitates developing a second line of leadership.

Disadvantages
i. Decision making ability in subordinates is cultivated. This

facilitates developing a second line of leadership;

ii. Can be very time consuming for the leader because of the use

of two-way communication ;
iii. Compromise can result in actions that are not the most

effective;
iv. Conflict may be resolved by making the least offensive decision

not the most effective;

v. Situation can develop where responsibilities are not clear cut. 3. Practice Abdicratic/Delegative3 Style to have people carry out the

necessary things for themselves:

a. Assign the person next in rank to identify the suitable person to

perform the job;

b. Entrust his subordinates to alleviate the present situation;

ANALYSIS Advantages
i. Positive only in the case when the employees are very

responsible and in case of creative jobs where a person is guided by his own aspirations;
ii. Effective, if subordinates are extremely responsible; iii. High job satisfaction and morale; iv. No negative feelings in the group.

Disadvantages
i. Usually it is the result of the lack of interest of the leader that

leads to his adopting this style;

ii. Employees lose their sense of direction and focus.

In this style, the leader allows the employees to make the decisions. However, the leader is still responsible for the decisions that are made. This is used when employees are able to analyze the situation and determine what needs to be done and how to do it.

4. Practice Servant Leadership to influence the people to work for what must be done: a. Personally Implement infectious control measure to prevent the spread of influenza quarantine must be instituted. b. Join the troops in cutting the wood despite the current weather condition. ANALYSIS Advantages i. Is a long term, transformational approach to life and work - in essence, a way of being -that has the potential for creating positive change throughout the organization. ii. It emphasized collaboration and service to their followers Disadvantages i. It is not a quick-fix approach. Nor it is something can be easily instilled within an organization. ii. Listening and empathizing too much with others may lead to indecisiveness or lack of vision VI. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION The group recommends Alternative Course 1 (Autocratic Leadership) in carrying out the necessary functions of cutting wood, caring for the sick, and assisting

kitchen duty. We find it to be a suitable style to use in this most crucial of times. Lt. Williams must take matters into his own hands. And as a contingency, Lt. William should accept that the situation is beyond control and as time is of great essence, declare SOS from other neighboring companies or from the district command itself.

APPENDIX A Leadership Styles

The term "leadership style" refers to a leader's behavior. Behavioral pattern, which the leader reflects in his role as a leader, is often described as the style of leadership. Leadership style is the result of a leader's philosophy, personality, experience, and value system. It also depends upon the type of followers and the organizational atmosphere prevailing in the enterprise. There are four types of leadership style. It includes autocratic leadership, participative leadership, free rein leadership and paternalistic leadership. The autocratic leader gives orders that must be obeyed by the subordinates. He determines policies for the group without consulting them, and does not give detailed information about future plans, but simply tells the group what immediate steps they must take. He gives personal praise or criticism to each member on his own initiative and remains aloof from the group for the major part of the time. A participative leader is one who gives instructions only after consulting the group. He sees to it that policies are worked out in group discussion and with the acceptance of the group. Participative manager decentralizes managerial authority. His decisions are not unilateral like that of the autocrat. Unlike an autocratic leader who controls through the authority he possesses, a participative leader exercises control mostly by using forces within the group. A free rein leader lets the group lead itself. The free rein leader avoids power. He depends largely upon the group to establish its own goals and work out its own problems. Group members work themselves and provide their own motivation. Under paternalistic leadership, the leader assumes that his function is paternal or fatherly. His attitude is that of treating the relationship between the leader and his group as that of a family with the leader as the head of family. He works to help, guide, protect and keep his followers happily working together as members of a family. Leadership provides detailed information on Leadership, Leadership Training, Leadership Development, Leadership Styles and more. Leadership is affiliated with Corporate Leadership Training. Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Leadership-Styles&id=207329