When I began to think about pursuing my Masters in
leadership, I asked several people that had taken the program what I should
expect. I weighed my options heavily as I was also considering an MBAA degree.
The reviews were positive as some people said that the leadership program gave
them a new look on leadership, organizations, and even themselves. After much
consideration, I decided to pursue the MSLD degree. However, there was one
aspect of the program that terrified me- the case studies.
There were two answers that were redundant in regards
to the most difficult features of the program- the literature review in MSLD
500 and the case studies littered throughout the course work. Though I was a successful undergraduate
student, I always had trouble with the finance and accounting related case
studies. Actually, my disagreement with case studies began in middle school
trying to determine which train will get to Phoenix first between the train
traveling from Denver and the train coming from Santa Fe.
Looking back on my journey, I am glad that I did not
shy away from the program due to my fear of the content. One valuable lesson that I learned was not to
listen to everything you hear and that my opinion does not always agree with
the masses. Over the last nine classes, I have learned to appreciate the case
studies and see them as an outstanding real-world learning tool.
I recently found a 2017 article by Juanita King in
which she discussed methods to answering case study questions. This article was
full of valid points including (a) read the study slowly to make sure all
information is understood, (b) look for key words and figures in the writing as
they can help answer the question(s), (c) be sure to locate the topic sentence
and make sure you understand it before moving on, (d) visualize the scenario as
you read, and (e) slow down if the material begins to become confusing (King,
2017). I began to wonder how the approach I have utilized during my tenure in
the program stacked up to her methods of answering the questions.
When I began the program, my thought-process in
relations to case studies was to read it and hope for the best while answering
the questions. However, my first class that contained case studies offered a
format to help answer the case studies. The elements included in the format
were (a) macro and micro problems, (b) causes, (c) systems affected, (d)
alternatives, and (e) recommendations.
This form divided the case studies into more manageable sections. The
idea of case studies was no longer as daunting!
The format offered allowed me to break down the study as it forced me to
read the case study slowly to make sure it was being comprehended (King,
2017). As I progressed through the
program, I continued to use this format to assist me in the case studies.
King (2017) also recommended slowing down and taking
you time in answering the questions. This is a method I adopted in the early
stages of the program. I am not sure if it is common practice, but my weekly
case studies would usually be a three-part process. The first day would consist
of reading and then usually re-reading the case study. I would then ponder the
story for a day and think about how I would answer the questions. The next day
would consist of sitting down with pen and paper to go through the elements of
the case study. What were the macro problems? What were the systems affected? Once I had an outline of how I wanted to
answer the questions, I would wait another day to type them just in case my
thoughts changed on an element of the case study. I have always been a diligent
preparer and I know this method may not work for everyone, but it was helpful
to me.
Another process I used in answering case study
questions was to attempt to incorporate the elements of thought in my
answers. Nosich (2012) stated that
critical thinking differed from thinking in that it must be reflective and meet
high standards. I began to incorporate certain elements such as point of view
and assumptions in my responses. Is my point of view altering the information
provided and guiding my answer? Are any assumptions weighing into my response?
I also attempted to look at the type of leadership demonstrated in the case
study. This week’s discussion post revolved around team leadership. If the leaders exhibited team leadership,
such as the founders of Veja Sneakers then the answers would be different than
a leader who exhibited strategic leadership such as Matthew Douglas from
Douglas Fine Foods. When I incorporated the elements of critical thinking and
the leadership styles demonstrated into my responses, the case studies began to
make more sense.
One tip that King (2017) offered was to visualize the
story as you were reading it. I wish I would have incorporated this tip into my
approach. The one case where this would have been very helpful was the first
study of this class about Dickerson College. I have to admit that I had trouble
understanding it due to the length of the study and the broad history it
covered. If I would have visualized myself as the individuals mentioned in the
story, then I may have grasped the information quicker.
King (2017) stated that word arrangement can hold a
significant importance in case studies. This is one tip that I will take with
for future case studies. I did not pay attention to word arrangement and
probably should have. The way words are arranged can help clarify the message
in a case study.
Though I was terrified of case studies before entering
the leadership program, I am happy that I remained in the program as they were
a great tool throughout the course work.
References
King, J. (2017). How to Answer Case Study
Questions. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/how_8342765_answer-case-study-questions.html
No comments:
Post a Comment