Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs is a known leader of his crew from the television series called NCIS. NCIS stands for naval criminal investigation services. This tv series is a thriller about how a squad is able to catch murderers, serial killers and terrorists. They only handle cases related to the navy and marine forces. Agent Gibbs shows multiple leadership theories throughout each season, but I will be focusing on just one.
Agent Gibbs is seen as a transformational leader. After his wife and daughter were murdered, his views and determination to solve cases increased for he had something in common with the family; wanting justice. Along with his stronger attitude came more pressure on his team. He pushed his squad past their own expectations. Even though Gibbs has a strong side he also has a compassionate and soft side. He connects with each squad member in a personal way throughout the season. Even though some of the squad members realize that NCIS is not the place for them, he understands and encourages them to keeping pushing past their boundaries. The agents thank him for pushing them and for making a difference in their lives for the better. Agent Gibbs has many years of experience and shares his knowledge and ideas with the team, which most of the time are right. The squad has trust in each other and with Gibbs. Along the way, everyone learns a valuable lesson by Gibbs.
In the video clip, Agent Gibbs is having a one-on-one conversation with Agent Vivian Blackadder. Agent Gibbs has previously lost two female agents and felt that it was because he was being too hard on them. When agent Blackadder arrives, he decides to take it easier on her hoping to not lose another female agent. In this video clip she explains to Gibbs that she doesn’t want him to take it easier on her. She wants to be just like him and to be that way she would need to be treated like the rest of the squad.
Later in season 8, Vivian is fired due to blowing an operation to catch a Mohammad in a terrorist attack.
References:
Hoyt, C.L. (2013). Women and Leadership. In P. G. Northouse, (Ed.). (2013), Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.