Overview
Throughout the course, we will have project milestones to keep you on track.
The final outcome will be:
1. A written paper: 30 points, 10 – 14 pages
2. A recorded presentation: 20 points, 4 – 6 minutes
Throughout each module, we will examine a different leadership theory. I will ask you to apply each theory to your chosen organization. I will introduce you to elements of socially responsible decision making and ask you to apply these elements as you conduct your assessment and analysis of your organization.
1. The first step is to identify an organization to assess and analyze throughout the course.
2. Apply each theory to your chosen organization (Trait, Behavioral, Contingency, and Transformational).
3. Develop a tool for assessing the organization based on the theories and your own research in organizational leadership.
4. Apply your tool to your organization and report on your overall assessment.
5. Devise a plan for continual improvement that incorporates at least one of the theories.
6. Develop a long-term strategy to create a competitive advantage for your organization.
Ultimate outcome: assessment and analysis of your organization, develop a plan for continual improvement and a long-term strategy for competitive advantage for your organization.
Your paper should include the following sections:
• Detailed description of the organization (1 to 3 pages)
o Nature of the organization’s business
o Size and locations
o Leadership structure
o Challenges and opportunities facing the organization.
o Minimum of 5 sources referenced in this section
• Apply each leadership theory to your organization (3 pages)
(this will be completed through discussion board posts)
o Trait
o Behavioral
o Contingency
o Transformative
o Summary with explanation of which theory(s) most applicable to improve your organization.
o Minimum of 4 sources referenced in this section.
• Assessment Tool (2 pages)
o Explain how you came up with the tool you created to assess your organization.
o Apply the tool and report your conclusions.
o Minimum of 2 sources referenced in this section.
• Describe the results of your assessment (1 – 2 pages)
o What areas of your organization did you focus on.
o What did your assessment data tell you about your organization’s strengths?
o What did your assessment data tell you about areas your organization needs to improve?
• Describe your plan for continual improvement that incorporates at least one of the theories (2 pages).
o Elements of your plan need to tie directly to results from your assessment.
o Include your recommendation for ongoing assessment.
• Long-term strategy to create a competitive advantage for your organization (1 – 2 pages).
o Can be a bullet list of priorities and recommended actions based on your assessment and analysis that will help your organization maintain a competitive advantage in the future.
• References
o List all sources used in your paper in APA format.
Course Milestones
Module 1 | Identify an organization. |
Module 2 | Begin gathering relevant information. Draft the first section of your report “detailed description of the organization.” |
Module 3 | Create your assessment tool and apply it to your organization. Draft the third section of your report “assessment tool.” |
Module 4 | Draft the results of your assessment. |
Module 5 | Develop your plan for continual improvement and long-term strategy. |
Module 6 | Post your final paper and recorded presentation in Blackboard. |