Name: Hemendra Vyas

ID: 2157628
The case study The Army Crew Team starts with an introduction to problem that coach,
Col. Stas Preczewski is facing with his teams rowing Varsity and Junior Varsity boats.
Varsity (V) boat comprises of top eight performing rowers and Junior Varsity (JV) boat
consists of bottom eight.
The case study further gives a background and placement of eight crew members on
the boat. U.S. Olympic Committee sponsored a project to understand the components
of success in racing. The results varied with the experience of coaches. Novice and
intermediate coaches tend to be more focused on technique and conditioning.
Experienced coaches are more focused on psychological variables. To measure and
improve individual strength and conditioning coaches used Erg and weight lifting
exercises.
Teamwork is as important as individual performance because if one member of team
outperforms then it will have a detrimental effect on the speed of the boat. To win rowers
have to adapt to one anothers imperfect strokes and minimize technical mistakes on
any stroke. Team members should feel themselves as single unit rather than collection
of individuals.
When newly selected Varsity and Junior Varsity boat teams raced then Varsity won.
According to Tuckmans Stages of Group Development both teams at that moment were
in Forming Stage. Soon after that Junior Varsity boat team quickly completed the
Storming and Norming phases. They started Performing their best as a team. The
Varsity boat Team still had issues among team members and was not able to overcome

that and hence started losing from Junior Varsity boat team. This is indicated in the case
study when coach finds members being critical of one another at the end of the race
and their performance was whole less than the part. Though Varsity boat rowers are
grouped as a team they are not working as team. Junior Varsity team has a feeling on
oneness, unity and adaptability. This is also indicated from their words nothing to lose.
Here JV boat team exhibits Participative Leadership where all team members are
collaborative and working towards a common goal. Case study clearly shows that Junior
Varsity also exhibit all five components of Emotional Intelligence which is lacking in
Varsity boat team. There is Emotional and Interpersonal Conflict among Varsity rowing
team.
According to Lewins Three Participatory Leadership styles (1939), Laissez-Faire works
best for the winning team because followers will have their freedom to row and get in
sync with other members as required. To achieve participation, cooperation and
collaboration all rowing members will need to have trust among themselves and share a
strong sense of group identity.
Coach and Coxwain should show Path-Goal and Transformational styles of leadership
towards Varsity boat team members if they want to turn Varsity as an undefeated
winner. Path-Goal model is based on goal-setting and expectancy theory. Goal setting
will help team to realize their final goal and reward, victory, associated with it
(transactional theory). Expectancy theory will explain why rowers will work hard in race
and overcome their own conflicts. Transformational leadership will help coach examine
needs and motives of rowers while seeking higher agenda of need, victory.