Principles of Management Oldsmobile

Question :

1. What leadership skills did Rock use with his division dealers? What kind of leadership style did his boss likely used with him? Was it appropriate?

2. Which leadership trait did Rock exhibit? Which skills?

3. Which of Yukl's leadership behaviors did Rock exhibit?

4. How did Rock's planned retirement help him to make some tough decisions?

Answer :

Answer1. The performance of Oldsmobile was considerably poor due to poor sales. Considering the performance of the Oldsmobile, the directors were thinking to kill the brand. But John Rock was a transformational leader who transformed the whole situation and created strategies to uplift the brand. He reinvented the image of the brand that helped it to boost its sales. His boss was unreasonably optimistic and this style of leadership was inappropriate at the time when the brand was in trouble.

Answer2. The most important leadership trait that was exhibited by John Rock was confidence. He showed confidence to take the brand to a new height of success although the performance of the brand was very poor. Decision-making capabilities were also demonstrated by him because it was his decision-making abilities that led the brand to improve its performance. Throughout his journey as General Manager, is demonstrated commitment and passion (Schweid, 2004). He never got panic and lost his hope. He believed in his capabilities and used that to take the brand at another level of success. 

Answer3. John Rock exhibited relationship-oriented behavior as well as change-oriented behavior of Yukl's leadership behavior. He transformed the image of the brand along with keeping a good relationship with the dealers.

Answer4. John Rock was planning to take early retirement but Oldsmobile was in trouble. He got a call to fix the brand. It was a very tough decision but he took the responsibility and helped the brand to get new and fresh breath. 

References 

Schweid, R. (2004). Che's Chevrolet, Fidel's Oldsmobile: On the Road in Cuba. Univ of North Carolina Press.