Leadership Case Studies
Leadership case studies illustrate best practices, decision-making, and strategic challenges. Explore these on our Books page or search leadership journals using "case study" or "case studies" for relevant items. Additional sources are listed on the Business Case Studies guide. Cases can also be found and purchased through case study repositories such as the Harvard Business School Case Collection.
Below is a curated list of leadership case studies available through BU Libraries. Explore these resources to deepen your understanding and enhance your leadership skills.
- Case Study of Leadership of Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis I)Examines Pope Francis’s leadership through various theories, exploring his journey from Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Pope, and his impact on followers. From: "Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics."
- A Doll's HouseAs CEO of Mattel, Jill Elikann Barad focused on divesting noncore businesses and moved away from double-digit earnings growth. She revitalized Barbie but was eventually ousted. From: Developing Potential Across a Full Range of Leadership TM.
- The First Woman Conductor of the Baltimore Symphony OrchestraExamines the groundbreaking leadership of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's first female conductor, highlighting her impact, challenges, and achievements in a traditionally male-dominated field. From: Cases on Critical Leadership Skills.
- How Zappos built a zany, high-performance cultureZappos created a high-performance culture by prioritizing employee happiness, fostering a fun environment, and emphasizing core values, leading to exceptional customer service and business success. From: Cases on Critical Leadership Skills.
- The Leadership of Abraham Lincoln Why It Matters TodayExamines Lincoln's empathy, resilience, and vision during the Civil War and abolition of slavery, highlighting their relevance for modern leaders facing complex challenges. From: "Journal of Values Based Leadership."
- Margaret Thatcher: The Lady’s Not for TurningEmphasizes Thatcher's resolute leadership and commitment to economic reforms, highlighted by her famous declaration at the 1980 Conservative Party Conference. From: 21 Great Leaders.
- Rosa Parks: Tired of Giving InHighlights Parks' key role in the Civil Rights Movement. Her 1955 bus seat refusal sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, showcasing her courage and inspiring widespread change. From: 21 Great Leaders.
- Walt Disney: Dream, Believe, Dare, Do!Explores Walt Disney's leadership journey, emphasizing his visionary dreaming, belief in ideas, bold risk-taking, and relentless execution, showcasing the blend of ambition and action. From: 21 Great Leaders.
