Overview
Week 2 Overview – WHY (Project Purpose & Significance)
This week, we build on the foundation you established in Week 1 by shifting from what you are exploring to why it matters.
In Week 1, you identified a leadership topic, question, or challenge that will guide your project. Now, in Week 2, you will begin to unpack the purpose behind that choice. The WHY section asks you to think more deeply about the significance of your topic—why it is important in leadership contexts, why it is relevant today, and why it is worth exploring through a social psychology lens.
Your WHY should move beyond general interest and begin to connect your topic to real leadership implications. This may include:
- Why the issue matters for leaders, teams, or organizations
- What challenges, gaps, or opportunities exist within this area
- How social and psychological dynamics (e.g., perception, trust, identity, influence, group behavior) shape or complicate the issue
- Why understanding this topic can improve leadership effectiveness or outcomes
This is also a great place to begin integrating course concepts and sources more intentionally. Anchoring your WHY in leadership theory or social psychology frameworks helps strengthen your direction and shows how your topic connects to the broader course themes.
Think of this section as the purpose and justification for your project. By the end of the week, your reader should clearly understand not just what you are studying—but why it matters and why it is worth exploring further.
Submission Requirements
- Approximately 500 words