Name: ___________________________
BADM 371, Lt Col Mick Fekula
The Last Castle
Famed and decorated three-star General Irwin is sent to a maximum security military prison for
disobeying an order that resulted in a very negative outcome. Colonel Winter, the prison
warden admires Irwin prior to meeting him, but their values clash since Colonel Winter operates
with suspect methods in order to maintain discipline in the prison. Although General Irwin tries
to avoid a leadership role, the unjust treatment of the inmates cannot be ignored. As any good
leader would, Irwin takes command of the situation.
Use the outline below to record events in the movie that show evidence of both General Irwin’s and
Colonel Winter’s leadership traits, motives, characteristics, behaviors, and style.
Be selective, since not all of the items below apply to the movie.
Personality Traits: check box & cite examples
General Trait
Irwin
X
Self-confidence
X
Humility
Winter
Examples
Does back down no
matter who he talks
to – 1st meeting with
Winters
Doesn’t boast about
outranking the
Colonel, being a
General
Trustworthiness
Authenticity
Extroversion
Assertiveness
Enthusiasm,
optimism & warmth
Irwin
X
X
X
X
Commanding and
honest in motives
Talks to inmates as
equals, is social
A prisoner, but acts
like a general
Takes men under his
wing like a father
“After 30yrs, every
man’s a good man –
it’s the law”
Winter
X
Examples
Gets them to come
together by building
the wall again
Passion for both
work & people
Emotional
intelligence
X
Self-awareness
X
Sense of humor
Task Trait
Keeps people waiting
on him - controlling
Self-management
Social awareness
Relationship
management
Flexibility &
adaptability
X
Internal locus of
control
X
Adapts to each
situation and person
Controlling of men
and prison
Courage
Leadership Motives: (a) power, (b) tenacity, (c) work ethic, (d) drive & achievement
Which motives characterize Winter? Cite example(s) that show these
Power – he wants power and control over others (makes people wait on him while he eats)
Is Irwin motivated by any of these?
All of them – tenacity with moving pile of rocks and drive and achievement in raising the flag
Cognitive Factors: (a) cognitive or analytical intelligence, (b) knowledge of the business or group task, (c)
creativity, (d) farsightedness and conceptual thinking, (e) insight into people into situations
Which cognitive factors does Irwin display? Cite example(s) that show these
Knows all men’s work, fights for what is fair and just, creative in salutes and nicknames, knows history of
saluting and is able to look ahead in planning Castle attack.
1
Check the items that show evidence of Irwin’s Charisma:
X Colorful, imaginative, open, and expressive communication style
X Manages by Inspiration
Uses metaphors and analogies to appeal to the intellect, imagination, and values of group members
Gears language to different audiences
Inspires and instructs team members by storytelling
X Creates visions for others
X
X
Is enthusiastic, optimistic, and energetic
Is sensibly persistent, (almost) never-say-no
Remembers peoples’ names
Develops synchrony with others, he “connects”
Develops a personal brand and is polished
Is candid and direct, yet not insensitive
Displays an in-your-face attitude, as appropriate to the task
Transformational Leadership: cite example(s) of how Irwin fulfills the following
1. The transformational leader helps bring about major, positive changes
2. Transformational leaders move group members beyond their self-interests for the good of the
group, organization, or society
Is Irwin more Charismatic or more Transformational?
Charismatic Characteristics
Transformational Characteristics
X
Visionary
Masterful communication skills
Ability to inspire trust
Able to make group members
feel capable
Energy and action orientation
X
X
Charismatic
Emotionally intelligent
Extroverted
X
Creates and communicates a
vision
X
Encourages the personal
development of others
Emotional expressiveness and
warmth
Provides supportive leadership
Romanticize risk
Practices empowerment
Unconventional strategies
Thinks innovatively
Self-promoting personality
Leads by example
Dramatic and unique
Often employs moral reasoning
Total checks:
5
X
Total checks:
X
2
2
Consideration & Structure:
Cite examples of Iwrin’s and Winter’s Attitudes & Behaviors, as applicable
TASK-RELATED BEHAVIORS & ATTITUDES
1. Adaptability to the situation
Irwin
Goes against guards
Winters
Had to adjust to 3-star
general as prisoner
2. Direction setting
So detailed oriented
3. High-performance standards
4. Concentrating on strengths of group members
Agular is asked to direct wall building – used
different prisoners for different projects based on
their talents
5. Risk-taking and execution of plans
6. Hands-on guidance and feedback
7. Ability to ask tough questions
Ask men why they are
in prison
RELATIONSHIP ORIENTED ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS
1. Aligning people
Inspires them to
rebuild wall, which
brings them all
together
2. Openness the worker opinions
3. Integration and visibility
4. Satisfying higher-level needs
5. Getting emotional support & encouragement
6. Promoting principles and values
Tells prisoners to have
pride – they are still
soldiers
7. Being a servant leader
3
Plot Irwin and Winter on the following matrix:
High
Irwin
Low structure
High consideration
High structure
High consideration
Consideration
Winter
Low structure
Low consideration
High structure
Low consideration
Low
High
Initiating Structure
4
Leader Styles:
1. Participative: Do either Irwin or Winter employ this style?
Irwin – he participates in the planning and daily life of the men
2. Autocratic: Do either Irwin or Winter employ this style?
Winter – a dictator and controlling of the men
3. Leadership Grid Styles:
9,1
Controlling: direct & dominate
1 ,9
Accommodating: yield a & comply
5,5
Status quo: balance & compromise
1,1
Indifferent: evade & elude
1,9; 9,1 Paternalistic: prescribe & guide
1,9; 9,1;1,1;9,9;5,5 Opportunistic: exploit & manipulate
9,9
Sound: contribute & commit
Plot Irwin and Winter on the following grid (The Leadership Grid®)
Irwin
High
9
8
7
6
Concern
for
People
5
4
3
2
Winter
1
Low
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
High
Concern for Results
4. Entrepreneurial Leadership: explain why neither Irwin nor Winter have noteworthy
entrepreneurial attributes
Entrepreneur would be trying new ideas. But both Irwin and Winter rely on past military
principles and tactics and related behavior. However, Irwin isn’t afraid to take a huge risk – a
characteristic of an entrepreneur.
5
6