PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
Assignment overview:
The purpose of this assignment is to analyze the leadership process from an experiential standpoint and to apply theories of leadership to your experience.
For this paper, focus on the leadership dynamic from your semester group in this class. Write a 5-7 page analysis applying a relevant leadership theory to the group’s leadership dynamic or to your own leadership behavior. Use a standard 12 font, normal margins, and double spacing. Submit your paper on Canvas by 11:59pm on its due date. Detailed guidelines for the content and organization of the paper are below.
Thesis
Each paper must advance a clear and specific thesis. Further, the paper should be restricted to material that supports the thesis statement. State your thesis early in a brief introduction, and underline it. In preparing your thesis statement, you need to select one particular leadership theory from chapter 7, and then show how that theory applied to your group. Here are a few examples of appropriate thesis statements (but of course, you should develop your own):
“In this group, the functional leadership approach actually hindered our productivity.”
“In this group, contingent leadership helped to preserve group harmony.”
“This group’s leader exhibited all the right traits yet failed to galvanize his followers.”
“I’m a very democratic leader, but in this particular group, that made me a pushover.”
Develop the following three sections of the paper (please clearly label each section):
Background
Begin with a background discussion of the selected leadership theory (often referred to as “approach” in your textbook). Explain and define the theory/approach and connect it up to any other relevant aspects of the group process. Synthesize and integrate key information and quotes from your textbook (use of additional outside sources is optional). Proper citations using MLA format are a must.
Application
Next, apply the theory to your group. This section should employ specific examples and observations of the communication behavior in the group that help to illustrate your thesis. It is important to use direct observations (e.g., quoted statements from group discussions, descriptions of particular behaviors, scenarios and examples, nonverbal reactions, etc.) rather than your indirect impressions of group process. For example, it is better to write, “Alicia demonstrated her high control needs by assigning tasks to people at the start of every meeting,” rather than, “Everyone seemed to feel that Alicia was too controlling.” Use particular behaviors and statements as the database for your analysis.
Evaluation
Conclude with a candid evaluation. What is the theory’s utility or value in explaining what occurred? How might knowledge of the theory improve the communication of the group? What could have been done differently? What critical questions about leadership can be raised? Get insightful here!
Grading Criteria:
Clear and thoughtful thesis, effective application of at least one leadership theory, use of concrete supporting data and examples, and insightful evaluation of the leadership process and one’s own role in that process.
