Resource Review: Using The Chair to Teach Organizational Leadership

Abstract

This Resource Review shares a newly created teaching resource for organizational leadership instructors. Based on a thematic analysis of Netflix’s The Chair, the resource connects each primary character’s implicit beliefs with eight organizational theories. Leveraging the power of memorable visuals depicting complex and nuanced leadership challenges, the article includes a table of scenes demonstrating eight organizational theories: political, bureaucratic, collegium, gendered and feminist, cultural, spiritual, organized anarchy, and institutional. A suggested assignment and three case studies where two theories collide are outlined for consideration. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of The Chair are discussed.