1 – Case
SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP STYLES, ARISTOTLE
AND LEADERSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP VS. MANAGEMENT
Background
One of the more contemporary styles of
leadership is “situational leadership.” In this assignment, you will
choose a CEO from a top company and analyze his/her leadership style through
the lens of situational leadership.
Required Reading
Fortune Magazines “100 Best Companies to
Work For 2016”: http://fortune.com/best-companies/
Case Assignment
Drawing on the material in the background
readings and doing additional research, prepare a 5- to 6-page paper (not
including the cover and reference pages).
Using the framework of Situational
Leadership, analyze the leadership style of a contemporary CEO from one of the
top 10 companies listed in Fortune Magazine’s Best Companies to Work for in
2016.
Keys to the Assignment
Go to Fortune Magazines Top 100 Companies
to Work For 2016 and choose a company from the Top 10.
Research the company, then answer the
following questions.
Which of the situational leadership styles
exemplifies this company?
What is the added value of this leadership
style?
What impact does this leadership style have
on the organization’s overall image?
Contrast this leadership style with Express
Scripts, named the worst company in America to work for by glassdoor.com.
Based on your experiences and research,
what kind of leadership style is needed to promote efficiency in an
organization? What contingencies affect this outcome? Justify your response.
These are not the only things that must be
covered, but just the minimum. You are encouraged to go deeper with the
assignment and use your critical thinking skills to ascertain what other areas
are important in making a company one of the top ones in which to work.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated using the
following five criteria:
Assignment-Driven Criteria (Precision and
Breadth): Does the paper fully address all Keys to the Assignment? Are the
concepts behind the Keys to the Assignment addressed accurately and precisely
using sound logic? Does the paper meet minimum length requirements?
Critical Thinking (Critical Thinking and
Depth): Does the paper demonstrate graduate-level analysis, in which
information derived from multiple sources, expert opinions, and assumptions has
been critically evaluated and synthesized in the formulation of a logical set
of conclusions? Does the paper address the topic with sufficient depth of
discussion and analysis?
Business Writing (Clarity and
Organization): Is the paper well written (clear, developed logically, and well
organized)? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for
graduate-level work? Are section headings included in all papers? Are
paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the
Keys to the Assignment, or is justification/support instead conveyed through
excessive use of direct quotations?
Effective Use of Information (Information
Literacy and References): Does the paper demonstrate that the student has read,
understood, and can apply the background materials for the module? If required, has the student demonstrated
effective research, as evidenced by the student’s use of relevant and quality
sources? Do additional sources used in the paper provide strong support for
conclusions drawn, and do they help in shaping the overall paper?
Citing Sources: Does the student
demonstrate understanding of APA Style of referencing by inclusion of proper
end references and in-text citations (for paraphrased text and direct
quotations) as appropriate? Have all sources (e.g., references used from the
Background page, the assignment readings, and outside research) been included,
and are these properly cited? Have all end references been included within the
body of the paper as in-text citations?
Tips and Suggestions
Please note the following tips and
suggestions:
Include a cover page and reference page, in
addition to the 5-6 pages of analysis described above.
Include headings for all papers greater
than 2 pages (basically all papers).
Cite and reference all sources that you use
in your work, including those that you paraphrase, but do not quote. This means
include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more than 5 words,
and citations for that information which you have “borrowed” or
paraphrased from other sources.
Follow the TUI Guidelines for well-written
papers.
Submit your analysis by the end of this
module.
Module
1 – SLP
SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP STYLES, ARISTOTLE
AND LEADERSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP VS. MANAGEMENT
The purpose of the Session Long Project in
Trident University International classes is to give you the opportunity to
explore the applicability of the Module to your own life and work, and to see
how the otherwise academically rigorous presentation of a topic may, with more
or less work and/or trauma, become “up close and personal”. This is
done in a number of different ways — sometimes cumulative papers, sometimes
practical hands-on experimentation with a tool of some sort, sometimes
reflections on a place of work or life. The common thread is personal
application, aimed at demonstrating a cumulative knowledge and understanding of
the course’s material.
In each module, you will complete an
assessment and/or situation diagnostics focusing on some aspect of leadership.
You will then be asked to create a plan by which you can “grow” your
strengths and develop your weaknesses. By the end of the course and the
project, you will have a better understanding of strategic leadership and how
to use leadership to influence followers.
Background
Martin Luther King was one of the great
orators of the 20th century, and his style has been used as a model for many,
including President Barack Obama. In this SLP assignment, you will analyze
MLK’s style and compare it to your own.
Required Reading
Please read Martin Luther King’s letter
from Birmingham Jail at:http://www.bu.edu/irsd/Ec326_2004/material_2004/Letter%20from%20Birmingham%20Jail.htm
Session Long Project
Then, drawing on the material in the
background readings and doing additional research, write a 2- to 3-page paper
in which you:
Analyze the leadership and oratory styles
of Martin Luther King, Jr. through the lens of ethos, logos, and pathos, and
compare his styles to your own. What could you do to strengthen your own skills
at influence and persuasion?
Keys to the Assignment
The key aspects of this assignment that, at
a minimum, should be covered in your paper include:
Examples of how Martin Luther King used
ethos, logos, and pathos in his powerful and highly influential letter.
How do you/can you incorporate what you
have learned about ethos, logos, and pathos into your own leadership activities
to increase your influence as a leader?
SLP Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated using the
following five criteria:
Assignment-Driven Criteria (Precision and
Breadth): Does the paper fully address all Keys to the Assignment? Are the
concepts behind the Keys to the Assignment addressed accurately and precisely
using sound logic? Does the paper meet minimum length requirements?
Critical Thinking (Critical Thinking and
Depth): Does the paper demonstrate graduate-level analysis, in which
information derived from multiple sources, expert opinions, and assumptions has
been critically evaluated and synthesized in the formulation of a logical set
of conclusions? Does the paper address the topic with sufficient depth of
discussion and analysis?
Business Writing (Clarity and
Organization): Is the paper well written (clear, developed logically, and well
organized)? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for
graduate-level work? Are section headings included in all papers? Are
paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the
Keys to the Assignment, or is justification/support instead conveyed through
excessive use of direct quotations?
Effective Use of Information (Information
Literacy and References): Does the paper demonstrate that the student has read,
understood, and can apply the background materials for the module? If required, has the student demonstrated
effective research, as evidenced by the student’s use of relevant and quality
sources? Do additional sources used in the paper provide strong support for
conclusions drawn, and do they help in shaping the overall paper?
Citing Sources: Does the student
demonstrate understanding of APA Style of referencing by inclusion of proper
end references and in-text citations (for paraphrased text and direct
quotations) as appropriate? Have all sources (e.g., references used from the
Background page, the assignment readings, and outside research) been included,
and are these properly cited? Have all end references been included within the
body of the paper as in-text citations?
Tips and Suggestions
Please note the following tips and
suggestions:
Include a cover page and reference page, in
addition to the 2-3 pages of analysis described above.
Include headings for all papers greater
than 2 pages (basically all papers), but do not use headings as “space
fillers.”
You are expected to deal with these issues
in an integrated fashion, rather than treating them as a series of individual
questions to be answered one by one and left at that.
You should synthesize information and
present a concise and meaningful paper.
Cite and reference all sources that you use
in your work, including those that you paraphrase but do not quote. This means
include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more than 5 words,
and citations for that information which you have “borrowed” or
paraphrased from other sources.
Follow the TUI Guidelines for well-written
papers.
Upload your assignment by the end of this
module.
Module
2 – Case
SERVANT LEADERSHIP, LEADERSHIP
COMMUNICATION, AND ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS
Background
In the movie Peaceful Warrior, the
character “Socrates” (as played by Nick Nolte) says, “There’s no
greater purpose than service to others.” This is the premise upon which
servant leadership is based. However, in today’s economy, we see many leaders
who are motivated by money, power, and prestige, but not by serving others.
Our forefathers, the first Presidents of
the United States, were not motivated by money or the like, but out of a deep
service to the establishment of this country. This SLP will examine their
leadership styles through the lens of the servant leader.
Required Reading
Refer to the Background readings for this
module.
Case Assignment
Select one out of the first ten Presidents
of the USA (George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison,
James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, William
Henry Harrison, or John Tyler) who you consider to be an outstanding example of
a servant leader. Then, prepare a 5- to 6-page paper (not including the cover
and reference pages) in which you Analyze the leadership style of your selected
President in terms of the Servant Leadership model, and critically comment on
whether this approach would be effective in today’s world.
Keys to the Assignment
The key aspects of this assignment that
should be covered in your paper include:
Conduct independent research on this
individual and create a profile of this leader.
What makes this person a servant leader? Support
your answer with examples.
Discuss the added value of a servant leader
based upon your leader’s profile.
Fast forward to today.
Do you think servant leaders are needed in
all organizations?
What would an organization full of servant
leaders be like? Justify your response.
What are the significant contingencies that
would lean in favor or against servant leadership?
Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated using the
following five criteria:
Assignment-Driven Criteria (Precision and
Breadth): Does the paper fully address all Keys to the Assignment? Are the
concepts behind the Keys to the Assignment addressed accurately and precisely
using sound logic? Does the paper meet minimum length requirements?
Critical Thinking (Critical Thinking and
Depth): Does the paper demonstrate graduate-level analysis, in which
information derived from multiple sources, expert opinions, and assumptions has
been critically evaluated and synthesized in the formulation of a logical set
of conclusions? Does the paper address the topic with sufficient depth of
discussion and analysis?
Business Writing (Clarity and
Organization): Is the paper well written (clear, developed logically, and well
organized)? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for
graduate-level work? Are section headings included in all papers? Are
paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the
Keys to the Assignment, or is justification/support instead conveyed through
excessive use of direct quotations?
Effective Use of Information (Information
Literacy and References): Does the paper demonstrate that the student has read,
understood, and can apply the background materials for the module? If required, has the student demonstrated
effective research, as evidenced by the student’s use of relevant and quality
sources? Do additional sources used in the paper provide strong support for
conclusions drawn, and do they help in shaping the overall paper?
Citing Sources: Does the student
demonstrate understanding of APA Style of referencing by inclusion of proper
end references and in-text citations (for paraphrased text and direct
quotations) as appropriate? Have all sources (e.g., references used from the
Background page, the assignment readings, and outside research) been included,
and are these properly cited? Have all end references been included within the
body of the paper as in-text citations?
Tips and Suggestions
Please note the following tips and
suggestions:
Include a cover page and reference page, in
addition to the 5-6 pages of analysis described above.
Include headings for all papers greater
than 2 pages (basically all papers).
Cite and reference all sources that you use
in your work, including those that you paraphrase, but do not quote. This means
include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more than 5 words,
and citations for that information which you have “borrowed” or
paraphrased from other sources.
Follow the TUI Guidelines for well-written
papers.
Submit your analysis by the end of this
module.
Module
2 – SLP
SERVANT LEADERSHIP, LEADERSHIP
COMMUNICATION, AND ORGANIZATIONS AS SYSTEMS
Background
In today’s business world, we rely on
leaders to make persuasive arguments to motivate employees and “get the
job done.” This requires both written and oral skills.
In Module 1 SLP, we examined the use of
ethos, logos, and pathos in influence. In this SLP, you will apply these
principles to make your own argument as if you were a supervisor in your
Fortune 10 company.
Required Reading
Refer to the required and optional readings
on effective communication messages and methods, as well as the readings from
Module 1 on ethos, logos, and pathos.
Session Long Project
Using what you have learned in this module
and module 1 about effective communication, develop a slide deck (minimum of 8
slides) with voice narration in which you introduce a new organizational policy
at your company.
Keys to the Assignment
The key aspects of this assignment that, at
a mimimum, should be covered in your presentation include:
Your presentation should consist of at
least 8 slides explaining the implementation of a new organizational policy
(e.g., no cell phones on the job) and an audio recording of your presentation
(no more than 5 minutes long) where you (a dedicated leader) communicate the
benefits and implications of your policy. The goal is to be able to influence
(e.g., ethos, logos, pathos) your followers/audience to embrace this
organizational change.
Once you have completed the PowerPoint
presentation, you will use “Record Narration” to record your
presentation using a microphone. You will submit the PowerPoint presentation
with voiceover for a grade. (Please discuss any special issues with your
instructor if you are unable to complete any portion of this assignment).
You will be particularly assessed on:
Your completion of all the steps in the
exercise.
Your ability to synthesize information and
present a concise and meaningful PowerPoint and audio presentation.
How well you demonstrate the principles of
communication presented in this module.
The clarity and quality of your PowerPoint
and audio presentations.
SLP Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated using the
following five criteria:
Assignment-Driven Criteria (Precision and
Breadth): Does the paper fully address all Keys to the Assignment? Are the
concepts behind the Keys to the Assignment addressed accurately and precisely
using sound logic? Does the paper meet minimum length requirements?
Critical Thinking (Critical Thinking and
Depth): Does the paper demonstrate graduate-level analysis, in which
information derived from multiple sources, expert opinions, and assumptions has
been critically evaluated and synthesized in the formulation of a logical set
of conclusions? Does the paper address the topic with sufficient depth of
discussion and analysis?
Business Writing (Clarity and
Organization): Is the paper well written (clear, developed logically, and well
organized)? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for
graduate-level work? Are section headings included in all papers? Are
paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the
Keys to the Assignment, or is justification/support instead conveyed through excessive
use of direct quotations?
Effective Use of Information (Information
Literacy and References): Does the paper demonstrate that the student has read,
understood, and can apply the background materials for the module? If required, has the student demonstrated
effective research, as evidenced by the student’s use of relevant and quality
sources? Do additional sources used in the paper provide strong support for
conclusions drawn, and do they help in shaping the overall paper?
Citing Sources: Does the student
demonstrate understanding of APA Style of referencing by inclusion of proper
end references and in-text citations (for paraphrased text and direct
quotations) as appropriate? Have all sources (e.g., references used from the
Background page, the assignment readings, and outside research) been included,
and are these properly cited? Have all end references been included within the
body of the paper as in-text citations?
Upload your assignment by the end of this
module.
Reference
Maxwell, J.C. (2010). Everyone
Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People do Differently.
Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
Module
3 – Case
TRANSFORMATIONAL/TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP,
LEADERSHIP STYLE APPROACH, GLASS CEILING
Background
We are all familiar with the concepts of
transformational and transactional leadership, terms which were coined by James
MacGregor Burns in his classic Leadership, which was published in 1978. In this
assignment, we will analyze two leaders who typify these two types of leadership.
Required Reading
Refer to the Background readings on
transformational and transactional leadership for this module.
Case Assignment
Drawing on the material in the background
readings and doing additional research, please prepare a 5- to 6-page paper
(not including the cover and reference pages) in which you:
Analyze the key characteristics of
transformational and transactional leadership and apply them to two leaders of
your choice.
Keys to the Assignment
The key aspects of this assignment that, at
a mimimum, should be covered in your paper, include:
Select two leaders (from the U.S. or
international) who you consider to be examples of transactional and
transformational leadership.
Conduct independent research on these
individuals and create a profile that addresses the following:
What makes one leader transactional and the
other transformational?
What added value does each bring to their
organizations?
What conditions and organizational
contingencies influence whether a transactional or transformational leadership
style would be most effective?
Considering your answer above, compare the
effectiveness of both leaders you profiled in their given environments. Was
their leadership style appropriate?
Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated using the
following five criteria:
Assignment-Driven Criteria (Precision and
Breadth): Does the paper fully address all Keys to the Assignment? Are the
concepts behind the Keys to the Assignment addressed accurately and precisely
using sound logic? Does the paper meet minimum length requirements?
Critical Thinking (Critical Thinking and
Depth): Does the paper demonstrate graduate-level analysis, in which
information derived from multiple sources, expert opinions, and assumptions has
been critically evaluated and synthesized in the formulation of a logical set
of conclusions? Does the paper address the topic with sufficient depth of
discussion and analysis?
Business Writing (Clarity and
Organization): Is the paper well written (clear, developed logically, and well
organized)? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for
graduate-level work? Are section headings included in all papers? Are
paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the
Keys to the Assignment, or is justification/support instead conveyed through
excessive use of direct quotations?
Effective Use of Information (Information
Literacy and References): Does the paper demonstrate that the student has read,
understood, and can apply the background materials for the module? If required, has the student demonstrated
effective research, as evidenced by the student’s use of relevant and quality
sources? Do additional sources used in the paper provide strong support for conclusions
drawn, and do they help in shaping the overall paper?
Citing Sources: Does the student
demonstrate understanding of APA Style of referencing by inclusion of proper
end references and in-text citations (for paraphrased text and direct
quotations) as appropriate? Have all sources (e.g., references used from the
Background page, the assignment readings, and outside research) been included,
and are these properly cited? Have all end references been included within the
body of the paper as in-text citations?
Tips and Suggestions
Please note the following tips and
suggestions:
Include a cover page and reference page, in
addition to the 5-6 pages of analysis described above.
Include headings for all papers greater
than 2 pages (basically all papers).
Cite and reference all sources that you use
in your work, including those that you paraphrase but do not quote. This means
include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more than 5 words,
and citations for that information which you have “borrowed” or
paraphrased from other sources.
Follow TUI Guidelines for well-written
papers.
Submit your analysis by the end of this
module.
References
Pounder, J. (2008). Transformational
leadership: Practicing what we teach in the Management classroom. Journal of
Education for Business, 84 (1), pp. 2-6.
Module
3 – SLP
TRANSFORMATIONAL/TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP,
LEADERSHIP STYLE APPROACH, GLASS CEILING
Background
There have been many studies completed on
the different styles of leadership. One of the most important ones focused on
if a leader is “task focused” or “relationship focused.”
For this SLP, you will complete a short
survey and then analyze your results.
Required Reading
Refer to the required and optional readings
on leadership style found in the Background readings.
Session Long Project
Drawing on the material in the background
readings and doing additional research, please prepare a 2- to 3-page paper
that addresses the following question:
Are you a Type A or Type B leader? What
strengths do you have as this kind of leader? What are the weaknesses? Give
examples from your experience to illustrate.
Survey instructions
Take the following task vs. relationship
leadership survey. After you have completed the survey, add up your scores for
tables 1 and 2 to determine your dominant leadership style. To determine your
dominant personal leadership style, circle one of the following options that
best describes how you see yourself (or the person that is being evaluated)
regarding each statement. For each statement, you can indicate the degree to which
you (or the person being evaluated) engage(s) in the stated behavior. A rating
of 1 means Never and a rating of 5 means Always with the person demonstrating
the specific behavior.
Table 1 – “A” Style and Orientation
Table 2 – “B” Style and Orientation
A = Task Orientation Scores: ___
B = Relationship Orientation Scores: ___
45-50 Very high
range
40-44 High range
35-39 Moderately
high range
30-34 Moderately low range
25-29 Low range
10-24 Very low
range
Keys to the Assignment
The key aspects of this assignment that, at
a mimimum, should be covered in your presentation include:
Thoroughly analyzing the survey and its
results, and how you plan on using your results to become a more influential
leader.
Discussing whether you think it is more
beneficial for a leader to be focused on tasks or relationships in an organization.
Please provide examples to justify your response.
Applying the background readings to this
point to yourself/the survey results, and explaining the survey results in
terms of previous theories you have learned.
Dealing with these issues in an integrated
fashion, rather than treating them as a series of individual questions to be
answered one by one and left at that.
You will be particularly assessed on:
Your completion of all the steps in the
exercise.
Your ability to synthesize information and
present a concise and meaningful paper.
The clarity and quality of your writing.
SLP Assignment Expectations
Your paper will be evaluated using the
following five criteria:
Assignment-Driven Criteria (Precision and
Breadth): Does the paper fully address all Keys to the Assignment? Are the
concepts behind the Keys to the Assignment addressed accurately and precisely
using sound logic? Does the paper meet minimum length requirements?
Critical Thinking (Critical Thinking and
Depth): Does the paper demonstrate graduate-level analysis, in which
information derived from multiple sources, expert opinions, and assumptions has
been critically evaluated and synthesized in the formulation of a logical set
of conclusions? Does the paper address the topic with sufficient depth of
discussion and analysis?
Business Writing (Clarity and
Organization): Is the paper well written (clear, developed logically, and well
organized)? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for
graduate-level work? Are section headings included in all papers? Are
paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the
Keys to the Assignment, or is justification/support instead conveyed through
excessive use of direct quotations?
Effective Use of Information (Information
Literacy and References): Does the paper demonstrate that the student has read,
understood, and can apply the background materials for the module? If required, has the student demonstrated
effective research, as evidenced by the student’s use of relevant and quality
sources? Do additional sources used in the paper provide strong support for
conclusions drawn, and do they help in shaping the overall paper?
Citing Sources: Does the student
demonstrate understanding of APA Style of referencing by inclusion of proper
end references and in-text citations (for paraphrased text and direct
quotations) as appropriate? Have all sources (e.g., references used from the
Background page, the assignment readings, and outside research) been included,
and are these properly cited? Have all end references been included within the
body of the paper as in-text citations?
Tips and Suggestions
Please note the following tips and
suggestions:
Include a cover page and reference page, in
addition to the 2-3 pages of analysis described above.
Include headings for all papers greater
than 2 pages (basically all papers), but do not use headings as “space
fillers.”
Cite and reference all sources that you use
in your work, including those that you paraphrase but do not quote. This means
include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more than 5 words,
and citations for that information which you have “borrowed” or
paraphrased from other sources.
Follow TUI Guidelines for well-written
papers.
Upload your assignment by the end of this
module.
Module
4 – Case
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP, CROSS-CULTURAL
LEADERSHIP, FACILITATING CHANGE
Background
Leaders of today can be categorized by
their various leadership styles, but all successful leaders have one thing in
common: they are visionaries. For example, Presidents Bill Clinton, John
Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan; high-tech giants Steve Jobs and Bill Gates; and
world figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King all had visions far
larger than themselves and the role they played. For example, Gandhi is single-handedly
responsible for returning India to home-rule after centuries of being ruled by
Great Britain. Martin Luther King is considered to be the father of the civil
rights movement in the United States. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs revolutionized
the technology industry with their MS-DOS and Windows software, and the iPhone,
respectively.
Each of these leaders constructed a vision
that was creative, clear, and concise, and that also complemented the
organization’s culture and strategy. They all possessed the foresight to plan
strategically for potential opportunities and threats, and once they
constructed their vision, they were able to influence people, implement
policies and procedures, and execute on the vision (i.e., turn that vision into
action).
One key thing with visionary leaders is
that they are the creative geniuses behind the vision, and nearly all of them
lead by example. Which brings us to the
next point: Microsoft certainly isn’t the company that it was after Bill Gates
stepped down – will that same fate happen with Apple now that Steve Jobs is no
longer running the company?
Required Reading
Please review The 100 most influential
people according to TIME. To see the full list, click on “Full List” on the top
banner, or choose from one of the selected lists such as “Pioneers”, “Titans”
or “Leaders”. The 100 Most Influential People (2016). TIME. Retrieved from
http://time.com/collection/2016-time-100/
Case Assignment
Select a leader from the TIME list who you
consider to be an outstanding example of visionary leadership. The descriptions
are short, so you may need to look at several before you find the person you
want.
Conduct some additional research on this
person. Then write a 5- to 6-page paper where you:
Analyze your subject leader’s style and
explain why this leader is a visionary.
Keys to the Assignment
The key aspects of this assign
