Chapter 4: Case-in-Point Methodology

Ron Heifetz is largely the founder of the case-in-point (CIP) methodology. Founded at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Heifetz paired the learning methodology with his theory of leadership, adaptive leadership (Heifetz, 1994; Heifetz & Linsky, 2002, 2011; Heifetz et al., 2009). Thus, CIP is a primary vehicle for teaching concepts found in the adaptive leadership theory. Beyond the Kennedy School of Government, the approach has been adopted and studied by a handful of other institutions (e.g., Kansas State University, University of Minnesota, University of San Diego) and organizations (e.g., Kansas Leadership Center). Much of the published research and writing on the CIP methodology stem from these institutions, except for Parks’ (2005) book Leadership Can Be Taught, which asserts that leadership is a skill that can be learned and emphasizes the CIP teaching method as a crucial approach for doing so. In this chapter, CIP is defined, significant elements of the approach are highlighted, and readers are presented with an overview of the primary evidence. The chapter concludes with a spotlight on resources for readers to learn more.