Overview
Overview
Throughout this course, you have explored how social psychology influences leadership and organizational behavior.
For your final project, you will build upon the Leadership Research Blueprint developed in Week 9 by examining your selected topic in greater depth.
The goal of this assignment is not simply to summarize research articles. Instead, you will use scholarly research to deepen your understanding of a leadership topic, identify meaningful insights, and explore how those insights apply to leadership practice.
Think of this project as an opportunity to answer the following question:
What should leaders understand about this topic, and why does it matter?
Your project should demonstrate your ability to connect research, leadership concepts, personal reflection, and real-world application.
In Your Project
Part 1 – Topic and Significance
Introduce your selected topic.
Discuss:
- What topic did you choose?
- Why were you interested in this topic?
- Why is this topic important for leaders, teams, or organizations?
Part 2 – What the Research Suggests
Using your scholarly sources:
- Identify the major themes, findings, insights, or patterns that emerged.
- Discuss areas where the sources support, expand upon, or differ from one another.
- Explain what the research suggests leaders should understand about this topic.
📌 Focus on synthesis and insight rather than article-by-article summary.
Part 3 – Leadership Application
Apply what you learned from the research.
Discuss:
- How might this topic influence leadership effectiveness?
- How could these insights improve communication, decision-making, trust, conflict management, employee engagement, workplace culture, or organizational performance?
- What leadership behaviors, practices, or approaches appear most important based on the research?
- What challenges, risks, or opportunities should leaders be aware of?
📌 This section should focus on practical leadership application rather than theory alone.
Part 4 – Final Leadership Reflection
Reflect on your learning throughout the course.
Consider:
- How has your understanding of leadership been influenced by social psychology?
- What insight from your research was most meaningful or surprising?
- Which course concept had the greatest impact on your thinking?
- What leadership lesson will you carry forward into your professional or personal life?
📌 This section should be reflective, thoughtful, and authentic.
Submission Format Options
Option A – Leadership Research & Reflection Paper
- 4–5 pages
- APA citations and references required
Option B – Leadership Presentation
- 7–10 slides
- Narration or detailed speaker notes required
- APA citations and references required
Option C – Individual Video Presentation
- 5–7 minutes
- Conversational but professional presentation style
- Reference scholarly sources and course materials throughout the presentation to support your ideas and observations
- Submit an APA reference page
Option D – Small Group Leadership Discussion
- 2–4 students
- 5–7 minutes per student
- Conversational but professional presentation style
- Each student presents their own topic and leadership insights
- Discussion should focus on leadership applications, similarities, differences, and lessons learned
- Reference scholarly sources and course materials throughout the discussion to support your ideas and observations
- Each student submits an individual APA reference page
Optional AI Integration
Students may use AI tools such as ChatGPT to assist with brainstorming, organizing ideas, identifying themes, comparing perspectives, or exploring leadership applications.
If AI is used, briefly explain:
- How the tool was used
- Whether it was helpful or limited
- What insights emerged from the process
AI may support the learning process but should not replace your own analysis, reflection, or leadership evaluation.
Submission Requirements
- Minimum of three scholarly, peer-reviewed sources
- APA citations and references required
- Focus on analysis, synthesis, reflection, and leadership application rather than simple summary
- Clearly connect research findings to leadership and organizational practice
- Choose one submission format from the options above