Analysis Of Turn The Ship Around: The Purpose Of This Assign
Analysis Of Turn The Ship Around Athe Purpose Of This Assignment
Analysis of Turn the Ship Around! (A) The purpose of this assignment is to evaluate the application of various leadership models and approaches, specifically the path-goal theory and the situational approach to leadership, in extreme circumstances. Review the Turn the Ship Around! (A) case. As a leader, you will be faced with responding immediately to solve issues. The Turn the Ship Around! (A) case is an example of leadership under extreme circumstances. Reflect on this example to shape how you might apply the goal-path theory and the situational leadership approach in an everyday, real-world situation.
Write a 1000-word paper that analyzes the events outlined in the case by addressing the following questions and concepts. Be sure to support your rationale by providing specific examples. You are required to include three to five additional references to support your position.
1. Discuss how the leaders demonstrate flexibility and adaptability.
2. Describe how the leaders apply aspects of the path-goal theory to this situation.
3. Discuss the leader's ability to communicate effectively with all of the stakeholders involved and how communication could have been improved.
4. Explain how well the leaders follow the situational approach to leadership.
5. Describe how this case might shape how you apply the goal-path theory and the situational approach in a real-world situation.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located.
Paper For Above instruction
The case study of "Turn the Ship Around!" presents a compelling example of leadership in extreme circumstances, where effective application of leadership theories can significantly alter outcomes. In this analysis, I will examine how the leader demonstrates flexibility and adaptability, how they apply aspects of the path-goal theory, their communication effectiveness, adherence to the situational approach, and how these insights can influence my future leadership practices.
Flexibility and Adaptability of the Leaders
One of the most striking features of Captain David Marquet's leadership style, as depicted in the case, is his exceptional flexibility and adaptability. Unlike traditional command-and-control models, Marquet empowered his crew to take ownership of their roles, fostering a culture of collective responsibility. This shift required him to abandon rigid hierarchical structures and adapt to a more participative leadership style. For example, by trusting the crew's judgment and encouraging initiative, he demonstrated flexibility, allowing the team to respond swiftly and effectively to changing circumstances such as mechanical issues or navigational challenges. This adaptability was vital in navigating the submarine through high-stakes scenarios, illustrating how effective leaders must be able to modify their leadership approach based on situational needs.
Application of the Path-Goal Theory
The path-goal theory posits that a leader's behavior should align with subordinate characteristics to facilitate goal achievement. Marquet’s leadership exemplifies this by clarifying the path to success and removing obstacles faced by his crew. He adopted a coaching and participative style, encouraging crew members to develop their skills and confidence. For instance, he provided clear instructions, set achievable goals, and supported team members in problem-solving, which motivated them and reinforced their commitment. This approach aligns with the directive and supportive behaviors outlined in the theory, fostering an environment where team members are empowered to perform at their best, even in complex situations.
Communication Effectiveness and Improvement
Effective communication is a cornerstone of successful leadership. Marquet practice of open, two-way communication with his crew contributed to building trust, ensuring that everyone understood their roles and the mission's importance. However, areas for improvement could include implementing more structured briefings and debriefings to prevent misunderstandings and maintain clarity during high-pressure situations. Enhancing communication pathways—such as regular check-ins or utilizing more explicit feedback mechanisms—could further improve team cohesion and responsiveness, especially during critical operations where miscommunication can have dire consequences.
Adherence to the Situational Approach
Marquet’s leadership method strongly aligns with the situational approach, which advocates for tailoring leadership styles to the maturity and competence levels of subordinates. He assessed crew members' abilities and adjusted his leadership style accordingly, providing more direction when necessary and devolving authority as confidence and competence grew. This dynamic adjustment fostered a sense of ownership among the crew and increased their engagement. His ability to read situations and adapt his style illustrates a high degree of situational leadership, facilitating a highly effective and responsive team environment.
Implications for Future Leadership Practice
This case underscores the importance of flexibility, situational awareness, clear communication, and empowering team members—principles that are directly applicable to my leadership approach. Understanding how to adapt leadership styles based on context and individual readiness can help foster high-performing teams and navigate complex challenges successfully. Emulating Marquet’s adaptive, empowering style can enable me to build trust, motivate others, and improve decision-making processes in diverse settings, from corporate environments to community projects.
Conclusion
"Turn the Ship Around!" provides a paradigm shift from traditional authoritative leadership to a participative and empowering approach, demonstrating significant alignment with the path-goal and situational theories. The leader’s flexibility, effective communication, and adaptability were instrumental in guiding the submarine safely through treacherous circumstances. As a future leader, integrating these principles into practice can enhance team performance, foster engagement, and enable effective responses to unpredictable challenges.
References
- Graeff, C. L. (1983). The situational leadership theory: A critical view. The Academy of Management Review, 8(2), 285-291.
- House, R. J. (1971). A path goal theory of leader effectiveness. Administrative Science Quarterly, 16(3), 321-339.
- Marquet, D. (2012). Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders. Penguin Group.
- Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
- Yuki, G., & Shumway, M. (2020). Leadership and organizational culture: Insights from military and corporate settings. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 27(2), 142-155.