Foreign Auto Shop Part 1 Alan has been the owner and manager of a small auto rep

Question

Foreign Auto Shop
Part 1
Alan has been the owner and manager of a small auto repair shop for 7 years.
The auto shop has a steady and loyal clientele who appreciate the fact that they
receive quick, reliable service at a fair price. Alan employs seven mechanics and
two office workers.
Gil and Hans are the two oldest mechanics, and they are the easiest to supervise.
When Alan assigns work to them (mostly high-precision, specialist jobs), they do it
qUickly and hardly ever make a mistake. Bart and Herbie are also skilled mechanics.
Bart specializes in repairing motorcycles, and Herbie is a whiz at troubleshooting engine
problems. Three younger workers do the jobs that call for lower-level skills, under
Alan's more careful guidance. Kirk has a degree in Industrial Arts, but he couldn't get a
job in his specialty without moving to another city, and he seems to have resigned himself
to auto repair work. LaMont enjoys working on sports cars and is getting to be quite
expert at operating the electronic diagnostic machines. Joanie does general mechanical
work and does it well.
Alan takes care of customers when they drop off their cars in the morning, then he
plans the work schedule and assigns the mechanics to work on particular cars. Most of
the work is done by individual mechaniCS, but occaSionally a job requires two mechanics
to work together. The work of repairing cars and conducting routine maintenance on
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them is well-defined; there are standard procedures and standard times to perform
each type of repair task. Mechanics receive feedback about the quality of their work
from testing the car and from customers (who will complain if something is not fixed
properly). Alan does not spend much time actually directing or supervising the repair
work. He leaves the mechanics alone unless they are having a problem and need technical
advice. He almost never tells someone to do something in a directive way.
Instead, he suggests various ways to deal with a problem, or he shows them how he
would have handled it. When not busy with administrative responsibilities, Alan enjoys
working alongside his mechanics, where he is available to answer any questions about
the work. Alan's style of leadership suits his easygoing personality.
Alan also encourages his employees to participate in making decisions such as
what new equipment to purchase or how to improve quality. They know that Alan is
sincere in asking for their opinions and is not just doing it as a manipulative strategy to
minimize their opposition to decisions that have already been made. Alan's fairness and
openness have earned him the continuing respect and trust of his employees.

Question: What is the usual leadership situation in the auto repair shop (consider the nature of the task, subordinates, and environment)? Describe Alan’s typical leadership style or behaviour and evaluate whether it is appropriate for the leadership situation.

Explanation / Answer

Answer:

*supportingleadership situation can be recognised in this context and it is suitable for a auto repair shop. Analysing the tasks, subordinates and environment in this case Alan seem to support his subordinates and guide them when their is need. He doesn't dictate the work rather uses supportive approach to bring the effectiveness in all the members. In this context the situation prevails on high supportive and low directive behaviour of the leader. The taska are divided according to the special skills and techniques suitable for the tasks of the members, all the subordinates performs their work with less supervision and their is harmony in the environment due to the integration between Alan and all his subordinates.

* Alan's leadership style is democratic, wherein he allows his subordinates to oarticparti in decision making in purchasing new equipment, takes their feedback to impovei the quality, and allows them to give their opinions. His behaviour towards his members is supportive and he guides them when by answering their questions and helps them to be expertised in their task. He is fair in his actions, he communicate with openness with his subordinates and keep them satisfied by gaining their trust and respect.

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