Nathanial Roberts has been named the head of a small corporation’s data entry division, which includes the maintenance of the corporation’s financial accounting records. When Nathanial begins his job, the division has five employees doing work that, based on industry standards, should be handled by at least six people. They also use outdated computers powered by software that became obsolete over five years ago.
Nathanial does an assessment of the division’s work and determines that if the corporation updates the computers and software, the five employees can complete their work twenty percent faster. The corporation’s budget will not provide for updating technology and hiring a sixth employee, but Nathanial negotiates with a local community college to begin an internship program. By using interns to do some of the less complicated work assigned to the division, the five permanent employees can focus their efforts on the more complex work, accomplishing more work per day. The interns benefit because they obtain entry level work experience as well as college credit.
Initially, Nathanial focuses on the changes that must be made to increase the division’s efficiency and effectiveness. He interacts with his staff only as much as needed to keep the work moving forward. His primary concern is to reorganize the division and ensure the work is being done appropriately. He is very task oriented.
Once the changes are implemented, Nathanial begins to focus more on his staff, including the interns. He takes the time to learn who they are, why they are working for the corporation, and what goals and objectives they have, both personally and professionally, as they continue their careers. The division’s productivity increases by thirty percent, even more than Nathanial had predicted. Also, as the division’s productivity increases, the corporation sees an increase in revenues because the division is keeping better records and collecting more accounts receivables. The corporation’s CEO is pleased and hails Nathanial as one of the corporation’s best leaders.
1. From the behavioral perspective, how would you describe Nathanial’s leadership?
2. How did his behavior change over time?
3. In general, do you think he is more task oriented or more relationship oriented?
4. What score do you think he would get on Blake and Mouton’s grid?