S02a1: Action Science Principle: Analysis of Alex Sander

RUNNING HEAD: ALEX SANDER1

S02a1: Action Science Principle: Analysis of Alex Sander

Gabrielle LaVenia

Capella University

Introduction:

“Alex Sander is the newest, and youngest, product manager in the Toiletries Division of Landon Care Products, Inc.” (Greiner & Collins, 2008). Alex has proven to be great at this job and has created many great products that have helped the company. Alex shows initiative, is a faster learner, pushes for answers, is a self-starter, and shows people what can happen if they do not give up (Greiner & Collins, 2008). Alex is on the start to being a great leader; however, he still has a few areas he can improve in before he can get there. Alex is a great person to analyze as there are numerous people who feel they are doing the best possible job, but do not have great attitudes towards the colleagues. Alex’s situation is one that many people face in the real world and is a great study.

Diagnosis and Analysis of the Problem:

Some people think earning money for a company is all it takes to be a great leader; however that is hardly all it takes. Alex Sander has a few areas he needs to improve in order to really become a great leader such as improving his communication skills, taking ideas from others, trusting more people, and delegating responsibilities. Alex tends to take on a lot for himself, and only let’s people work on their own if he really trusts them. This makes many employees feel bad as they know they can handle the job, they are just not as fast paced as Alex. The company has been working on 360degree feedback where all employees share their thoughts and feelings. It is shown that many of the employees have great things to say about Alex, but with every great comment comes a negative one. Many of Alex’s colleagues agree that Alex needs more people skills, and has to treat people better. Though it may seem like an espoused theory, it is very possible for Alex to work on these areas through professional development, and then it will become a theory-in-use. The company Alex works for needs to take a double-loop approach when it comes to their 360degree evaluations. Rather than just taking in this feedback and moving forward, they need to examine the results and see what they can do to make Alex a better employee. Alex needs to move from a model I behavior to a model II behavior and learn how to share control.

Existing Researching:

“It is very important to grasp that Level 5 leadership is not just about humility and modesty. It is ferocious resolve, an almost stoic determination to do whatever needs to be done to make the company good” (Collins, 2001). Though Alex seems to be putting the company first in ways for it to be successful with projects, he not treating the people around him with the respect they deserve. Jim Collins (2001) also talks about how a good leader should not care about their own riches and personal renown, but rather the success of the company. If Alex can see that he needs to trust other people more, the company can continue to grow. Rather than taking everything on, Alex can be a mentor to those who want to also grow with the company. “In an organization, you can also gain valuable perspectives and insights through close association with an experienced person willing to take you under her or his wing” (Hughes, et al., 2012).

Key Questions:

1. Would professional development in the area of communication help Alex?

2. Would the team company be as successful if Alex stepped away from more projects?

3. How can Alex change his temper and still feel like an effective manager?

Conclusion:

Alex can take place in different professional development activities where people work together as a team and really need to listen to one another. Alex should take part in team building exercises where he can see the different strengths of the people working with him. He can then put different people on different projects based on their strengths. Though it may take some time for Alex Sander to change his ways, it is possible for him to become a great leader. If he truly cares about the company, he will learn to let other people have a say, trust them, and speak to them in a way that does not tear them apart, and it is then that Alex Sander can be a great leader.

References:

Collins, J. (2001). Good to great: Why some companies make the leap…and others don't. New York, NY: Collins Business. ISBN: 9780066620992.

Greiner, L., & Collins, E. (2008).A day in the life of Alex Sander: Driving in the fast lane at landon care products[case study]. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing.

Hughes, R. L., Ginnett, R. C., & Curphy, G. J. (2012). Leadership: Enhancing the lessons of experience (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Publishers.