1. What change were the people in Gooding trying to avoid? Why do you think they wanted to avoid this change? What tactics did they use to resist change? 

2. Would you describe Scott Gooding’s or the school board’s efforts as adaptive leadership? Why or why not?

3. How would you describe the holding environment created by the school board? Do you think it was successful? Why or why not? 

4. Citing examples, describe how the school board engaged or didn’t engage in each of these adaptive leader behaviors: get on the balcony, maintain disciplined attention, and give the work back to people.

5. What group would you describe as the “low-status group”? How did the school board seek to give voice to this group?

Scott Gooding, a newly elected member of the school board, fought to change the school’s mascot and name from Redskins to Redhawks. He believed that the name was essentially a racial slur and had Native American groups speak before the board about the inappropriateness of the name. A local Native American family fought for this change as well. However, many other local families did not approve of a name change. They felt deeply connected to the school’s 50-year history as Redskins and believed that the name honored Native Americans.

Scott eventually succeeded, with a majority of the board voting to change the name. Students at the school selected a new name, the Redhawks, and did not complain about the change. Unfortunately, some locals revolted and were successful in having five board members removed, including Scott. The two remaining board members fought to have the name revert to Redskins, but a couple of organizations intervened and told the school that it could not return to the Redskins name. The school remained the Redhawks, but some adults still believe they should be the Redskins.