Problem

USAO employees vary/are different – Within Groups/USAOs • Attorneys• Paralegals, Legal Support• Administrative Support (HR, Budget)• Information Technology Support

– Among Groups/USAOs• Size (x-large, large, medium, small)• GeographyWe don’t know how to define

leadership!

Purpose of the study

• Describe and interpret/make meaning of the current leadership culture of United States Attorney’s Office employees.

Research questions

1. How do United States Attorneys’ Office employees define leadership?

2. What are USAO employees’ perspectives regarding leadership behaviors that result in higher performance in followers?

Study approach

Ethnography –

An ethnographic study is one that focuses on human society with the goal of describing and interpreting the culture of a group.

Site selection

Advantages:• Ease of Access– Employees– Rooms

• Cost savings (travel)

Disadvantages:• Unnatural setting• Volunteers

Sample selection

Position Supervisor Non-Supervisor

United States Attorney XFirst Assistant United States Attorney XCriminal Attorney X XCivil Attorney X XAppellate Attorney X XParalegal X XLegal Assistant X XAdministrative X XInformation Technology X X

DATA GATHERING METHODS

• Semi-structured, face-to-face employees interviews (2)

• Artifacts – Evaluation and Review System (EARS) reports

Considerations

• Political transition in offices• Adequate representation• Researcher subjectivity/positionality• Implications for current leadership training

Questions