Introduction
Human resource professionals provide a unique role in the organization. While they may lead a team, their true test of leadership comes from their relationships and influence throughout the organization. They may be called upon to partner in the implementation of organizational strategies. They may be sought out to coach leaders in ways to handle employee relationships. They may be needed to enforce and guide human resource policies. In all cases, the strength of the individual leadership skills comes into play.
Many human resource competencies are nonnegotiable, because a lack of them could mean the difference between business success and failure. No smart business owner with employees will—nor should—discount the impact of human beings and their contribution, connection, communication, and emotion when conducting business. Human resources plays an important part in business success.
To assist your understanding of leadership and the unique role of the human resource professional, you will be writing a paper defining the role of leadership, influence, and communication for human resource professionals. You will explore leadership theories as well as review resources on the unique role human resource professionals play as leaders in the organization. You will then analyze how you see these foundations of leadership and human resource leadership in your current or future role as a human resource professional.
A solid understanding of leadership and its unique role as a human resource professional will also serve as a foundation for upcoming course assignments.
Scenario
You work in the Human Resource department and have just been promoted to a supervisor position. Your role in this new position will be to lead your team as well as be a human resource strategic partner and resource to leaders and employees in the organization. In order to be effective in this new position, you need to learn what it means to be an effective leader. This includes understanding the foundations of leadership, your choices of leadership style, and the influence skills required in a human resource position. You have decided to research and decide what models of leadership you will use in your new position.
Leadership Development Challenge
This assignment is designed to create foundations for you in the leadership development area by discussing key elements of leadership, influence, and communication in the human resource profession. This will also set the stage for your application of these foundations in the upcoming course assignments.
Instructions
Write a 3–4 page paper in which you define leadership, influence, and communication unique to the human resource professional. You will identify two leadership theories that resonate for you as you envision your leadership style for this new position.
There are many ways to research leadership theories. The course text The Leadership Experience compiles a clear overview of current leadership theories in Chapter 1, “What Does It Mean to Be a Leader?” Using this text allows you to examine a variety of relevant leadership theories from a single source. Additional resources are also provided to supplement the course text and provide additional perspectives.
This paper should be well-organized and cover the following elements.
Write an introduction that outlines why you are writing this paper.
Describe unique characteristics of human resource leadership.
Introduce the unique characteristics of leadership for the human resource professional.
Explain how leadership theories apply to human resource leadership.
Select two leadership theories that resonate for you as the foundation for your leadership style and approach and explain their relevance.
Explain the importance of influence to human resource leadership.
Provide examples of how you will use this leadership information in your new role as a human resource supervisor.
Discuss not only how you will lead your team but how this will impact your relationships throughout the organization.
Write a conclusion that wraps up and summarizes your document.
Additional Requirements
Length: 3–4 typed, double-spaced pages, plus the cover and resources pages.
The first page should be a cover sheet with your name, the course number, assignment title, and date. No other information is required on this page.
The last page should be the reference list.
Organization: Make sure your assignment writing is well-organized, using headings and subheadings to organize content for the reader.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Resources: Use 2–6 references to support your assertions.
APA formatting: Resources and in-text citations are formatted according to current APA style and formatting.
Written communication:
Use paraphrasing and summarization to represent ideas from external sources to support your main points and assertions with relevant and credible evidence.
Use spell-check and other tools to ensure adherence to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Review the HR Leadership Development: Foundations of Leadership rubric prior to submitting to ensure you have met the requirements of the assignment.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies through corresponding grading criteria:
Competency 1: Apply leadership and management theories and models to inform human resource leadership practices.
Explain how leadership theories apply to human resource leadership.
Competency 3: Analyze ways in which human resource leaders build trust and relationships to influence stakeholders in the workplace.
Describe unique characteristics of human resource leadership.
Explain the importance of influence to human resource leadership.
Competency 4: Communicate professionally through writing that is organized and supported and that clearly conveys intended information.
Adhere to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Use paraphrasing and summarization to represent ideas from external sources.
