What are you being asked to do? Decide? Describe? Analyse? Make recommendations? Use this information to focus your reading of the case study. Highlight key words, characters, and events. Start to think about leadership theories and concepts that could be related to the case.

Weighting 30%. Word count: max. 1000.
For this assessment, you will respond to case study questions particularly reflecting and analysing the context of the organisation, leaders decision making and the outcomes of the actions taken. In particular, you will reflect on the value of leadership for a particular organisation, and critically consider whether leadership matters. You will need to analyse the case study in light of the leadership theories and concepts discussed in the unit.
When responding to the case questions, you will need to ensure that the following criteria are met: 1) diagnosis and recommended actions are a good fit for the context presented in the case study; 2) diagnosis and recommended action are based on a sound theoretical basis; 3) critical thinking skills are demonstrated; and 4) appropriate academic writing style and referencing are used. How to analyse a case study
1. Read the questions carefully
What are you being asked to do? Decide? Describe? Analyse? Make recommendations? Use this information to focus your reading of the case study. Highlight key words, characters, and events.
Start to think about leadership theories and concepts that could be related to the case.
2. Read the case study carefully
Read it from beginning to end to get an overall idea of what is happening.
Highlight anything you feel is important and related to the problem.
Sometimes the problems are not immediately clear, and you may need to read the case several times before you understand fully what is happening. Its important to understand the CONTEXT of the situation so that you can see how this might influence decisions made and resulting consequences.
3. Ask questions and be a detective
Descriptive questions: Where? What? When? Who?
Analytical questions: Why? How? What if?
Evaluative questions: So what? What next?
Investigate and eliminate what is irrelevant to the situation or appears to not fit the case context.
Make notes. Analyse and organise the information.
4. Structure your response – Make sure your answer:
Is evidence-based (using data from the case);
Is supported by relevant peer-reviewed literature;
Demonstrates integration and synthesis;
Uses linking words to connect your argument, and includes a short introduction and conclusion;
There is no single right answer as long as your arguments are supported through evidence of research and well-crafted by your critical thinking skills, many different points of view are possible.

Key concepts
Leader identity and self-leadership
Coercive leadership style
Authoritative leadership style
Affiliative leadership style
Democratic leadership style
Pacesetting leadership style
Coaching leadership style
Resources for this topic
Essential readings
Stewart, G. L., Courtright, S. H., & Manz, C. C. (2019). Self-leadership: A paradoxical core of organizational behavior. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 6(1), 47-67.
Goleman, D. (2000). Leadership that gets results. Harvard Business Review, 78(2), 78-90.
ESMT Case Study Leadership styles by Konstantin Korotov
Recommended learning materials
Miscenko, D., Guenter, H., & Day, D. V. (2017). Am I a leader? Examining leader identity development over time. The Leadership Quarterly, 28(5), 605-620.
Learning activities/tasks
Prepare for the discussion of the case study by reading it and answering the posted questions. Complete a self-leadership assessment.

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