Leadership and Change Management in a Crisis Situation: A Case About Administration of an Indian District Collectorate

This paper presents a case study which examines organizational behavior themes in Indian district administration. It discusses and then puts forth analyses of leadership and change management issues. Using narrative techniques, the case begins with a confrontation between a newly appointed district collector, Pradeep Pandey and Mukul Bahadur, a leader of agitating farmers. Pandey decides to deal with the matter with an iron fist. He arranges to have Bahadur arrested when he crosses into Nandinagar district. At the same time, Pandey effects change in the District Collectorate’s functioning. He uses the edgy situation created by the Mukul Bahasur arrest, to keep the Nandinagar District Collectorate personnel on their toes. He wants them to display greater initiative and work dedication. Pandey soon finds that motivating and leading his staff is easier said than done. The case culminates in an analysis of Pandey’s leadership style and efforts to introduce change within the existing structure of the Nandinagar district collectorate.