Purpose
This assignment asks you to define leadership by integrating:
- Scholarly research
- Course concepts (Covey, Copeland)
- Your own experiences
Instead of only writing about leadership, you will begin to articulate your own leadership philosophy.
What You Will Do
You will develop a clear definition of leadership and identify key characteristics of effective leaders, using both research and personal insight.
You will explore leadership through the Interactional Framework, which emphasizes the relationship between:
- The leader
- The follower
- The mission (task/goal)
- The situation (context)
👉 Effective leadership happens at the intersection of these elements.
Preparation
First, be sure to:
- Review Covey (1991) – Principle-Centered Leadership
- Review Copeland (2014) – Leadership definitions and styles
- Conduct additional research using the NSU Online Library
- (Optional) Watch the Drew Dudley – Everyday Leadership video [Drew Dudley]Links to an external site.
Assignment Requirements
Write a 5-page paper (including cover page and references) that addresses the following:
1. Defining Leadership
- How do scholars define leadership?
- What themes or differences do you notice in the literature?
2. Leadership Characteristics
- What characteristics define effective leaders?
- Which stand out to you and why?
3. Connection to Covey
- How do these leadership characteristics align with Covey’s eight Principle-Centered Leadership (PCL)?
- Provide examples or an explanation
4. Your Leadership Perspective
- What is your personal definition of leadership?
- What kind of leader do you want to become?
Organization
Your paper should include:
- Introduction
- Body sections aligned to the questions above
- Conclusion
- References
Writing Expectations
- Use APA format (7th edition)
- Include scholarly sources (minimum 3 recommended)
- Write clearly and professionally
- Proofread carefully before submitting