THE BMZ ACADEMY
THE BMZ ACADEMY
053 8213
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213Page 1 of 21
, THE BMZ ACADEMY
Table of Contents
Question 1: Leadership Behaviour and Effectiveness in the “Mission or Soldiers” Case
Study .......................................................................................................................... 3
a) Effectiveness and differences in leadership behaviours......................................... 3
b) Evaluation of Leadership Effectiveness in the Situation ......................................... 5
c) The Ideal Leadership Style in the Described Situation ........................................... 6
Question 2: The Influence of COVID-19 on Leadership Traits ................................... 7
Communication as the Foundation of Crisis Leadership ............................................ 8
Projecting Calm and Stability in Times of Crisis ......................................................... 9
Compassion and Concern for Employee Well-Being ................................................. 9
Reducing Uncertainty through Sensegiving ............................................................. 10
Building Trust and a Sense of Community ............................................................... 11
Self-Evaluation Reflection on Learning and Graduateness ...................................... 12
Most Useful Prescribed and Recommended Sources .............................................. 13
Time Spent on the Assignment ................................................................................ 14
Relevance of the Sources to the South African Context........................................... 14
Improvement of Professional Competence .............................................................. 15
Competencies that Require Further Development ................................................... 15
Value of the Assignment for Workplace Application ................................................. 16
Quality of the Learning Material ............................................................................... 17
Administrative Support ............................................................................................. 17
Personal Development Through Reflection .............................................................. 17
References ............................................................................................................... 19
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213Page 2 of 21
, THE BMZ ACADEMY
Question 1: Leadership Behaviour and Effectiveness in the “Mission or
Soldiers” Case Study
a) Effectiveness and differences in leadership behaviours
Leadership effectiveness is often evaluated through the behavioural patterns leaders
display when guiding followers toward organisational goals. Leadership scholars
generally distinguish between task-oriented behaviours, which emphasise the
completion of objectives, and people-oriented behaviours, which prioritise the welfare
and motivation of followers. The case study presented in the assessment contrasts
two military leaders a colonel and a major whose leadership approaches reflect these
different orientations. Although both leaders earned the respect and loyalty of their
followers, their behaviours differed substantially in terms of decision-making priorities
and leadership focus. This essay analyses the differences in leadership behaviours
displayed by the colonel and the major, evaluates which leadership approach was
more effective in the given context, and discusses the ideal leadership style for the
situation using established leadership theories.
Differences in Leadership Behaviours Between the Colonel and the Major
The most prominent difference between the two leaders in the case study lies in their
emphasis on people-oriented versus task-oriented leadership behaviours. Leadership
theory frequently categorises leader behaviour into these two broad dimensions. The
consideration dimension refers to behaviours that demonstrate concern for followers’
well-being, mutual trust, and respect, whereas initiating structure refers to behaviours
focused on planning, organising work, and directing activities toward goal
accomplishment (Daft, 2023).
The colonel’s leadership behaviour strongly reflects consideration and an employee-
centred orientation. According to the case study, the colonel demonstrated deep
concern for the welfare of his soldiers and treated them as individuals rather than
merely as subordinates. He deliberately avoided privileges that distinguished officers
from soldiers, signalling equality and respect toward those under his command. Such
behaviour indicates a leadership approach based on trust, empathy, and relational
connection, which are core characteristics of people-centred leadership. By paying
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213Page 3 of 21
THE BMZ ACADEMY
053 8213
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213Page 1 of 21
, THE BMZ ACADEMY
Table of Contents
Question 1: Leadership Behaviour and Effectiveness in the “Mission or Soldiers” Case
Study .......................................................................................................................... 3
a) Effectiveness and differences in leadership behaviours......................................... 3
b) Evaluation of Leadership Effectiveness in the Situation ......................................... 5
c) The Ideal Leadership Style in the Described Situation ........................................... 6
Question 2: The Influence of COVID-19 on Leadership Traits ................................... 7
Communication as the Foundation of Crisis Leadership ............................................ 8
Projecting Calm and Stability in Times of Crisis ......................................................... 9
Compassion and Concern for Employee Well-Being ................................................. 9
Reducing Uncertainty through Sensegiving ............................................................. 10
Building Trust and a Sense of Community ............................................................... 11
Self-Evaluation Reflection on Learning and Graduateness ...................................... 12
Most Useful Prescribed and Recommended Sources .............................................. 13
Time Spent on the Assignment ................................................................................ 14
Relevance of the Sources to the South African Context........................................... 14
Improvement of Professional Competence .............................................................. 15
Competencies that Require Further Development ................................................... 15
Value of the Assignment for Workplace Application ................................................. 16
Quality of the Learning Material ............................................................................... 17
Administrative Support ............................................................................................. 17
Personal Development Through Reflection .............................................................. 17
References ............................................................................................................... 19
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213Page 2 of 21
, THE BMZ ACADEMY
Question 1: Leadership Behaviour and Effectiveness in the “Mission or
Soldiers” Case Study
a) Effectiveness and differences in leadership behaviours
Leadership effectiveness is often evaluated through the behavioural patterns leaders
display when guiding followers toward organisational goals. Leadership scholars
generally distinguish between task-oriented behaviours, which emphasise the
completion of objectives, and people-oriented behaviours, which prioritise the welfare
and motivation of followers. The case study presented in the assessment contrasts
two military leaders a colonel and a major whose leadership approaches reflect these
different orientations. Although both leaders earned the respect and loyalty of their
followers, their behaviours differed substantially in terms of decision-making priorities
and leadership focus. This essay analyses the differences in leadership behaviours
displayed by the colonel and the major, evaluates which leadership approach was
more effective in the given context, and discusses the ideal leadership style for the
situation using established leadership theories.
Differences in Leadership Behaviours Between the Colonel and the Major
The most prominent difference between the two leaders in the case study lies in their
emphasis on people-oriented versus task-oriented leadership behaviours. Leadership
theory frequently categorises leader behaviour into these two broad dimensions. The
consideration dimension refers to behaviours that demonstrate concern for followers’
well-being, mutual trust, and respect, whereas initiating structure refers to behaviours
focused on planning, organising work, and directing activities toward goal
accomplishment (Daft, 2023).
The colonel’s leadership behaviour strongly reflects consideration and an employee-
centred orientation. According to the case study, the colonel demonstrated deep
concern for the welfare of his soldiers and treated them as individuals rather than
merely as subordinates. He deliberately avoided privileges that distinguished officers
from soldiers, signalling equality and respect toward those under his command. Such
behaviour indicates a leadership approach based on trust, empathy, and relational
connection, which are core characteristics of people-centred leadership. By paying
BMZ ACADEMY 061 262 1185/068 053 8213Page 3 of 21
