Assignment: Leadership and Empowerment of Followers

In completing this activity, you will demonstrate the ability to evaluate a leadership style and estimate its possible consequences.

There are many theories of leadership. Consider the path-goal theory and Vroom's contingency theory. (You will have to do some additional research.) Leaders must continually think of their central purposes as leaders: to define goals (develop a vision, clarify ways to get there), to look for obstacles that may exist, and to provide support and encouragement for achievement of goals (celebrating small wins, mentoring). In the path-goal theory, the greater responsibility is on the leader; there is not much left to the follower.

Debate this kind of leadership and respond to the following:

• Might this style of leadership be counterproductive over time? Why/Why not?

Be certain to integrate the readings and research from the online library to support your opinions. You must cite your sources in text and include multiple references in addition to the textbook for your initial response and your replies.

Be certain to integrate the readings and research from the online library to support your opinions. You must cite your sources in text and include multiple references in addition to the textbook for your initial response and your replies.Be sure to review your writing for grammar and spelling before posting.

Post your primary response.

Respond to two or more of your colleagues' postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Address a colleague's analysis and evaluation of the topic(s).
• Expand or remark upon a colleague's integration of relevant resources.
• Answer question(s) posed by your colleague(s) for further discussion.
• Link a colleague's posting to other postings or to course materials and concepts, where appropriate and relevant.
• Extend or constructively challenge your colleagues' work.

Remember to read the feedback to your own major postings and reply to it throughout the module.

Consult the Discussion Posting Guide for information about writing your discussion posts. It is recommended that you write your post in a document first. Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to make your initial post, click on "Reply." Then copy/paste the text into the message field, and click "Post Reply."

To respond to a peer, click "Reply" beneath her or his post and continue as with an initial post.

For your Final Project, you will write a paper on leadership in an organization. The project is due in Module 8. Start working on the project early and complete parts in each module so that you can submit the project in Module 8.

Your Final Project paper will be on a leadership issue in an organization. In this module select an organization to study. You should select your current organization or an organization that you have worked for in the past. If you have not worked before, select any organization where you will have access to the information you need for the Final Project, particularly about leadership.

Leadership is tested the most during times of trouble. Select a business organization experiencing difficulties in any area-competition, financial, human resource, or any other. Research the organization and write a paper. The paper should have the following:

• Background information such as the type of business, products and services, market position, etc.
• Description of the problem the organization is currently facing
• Citation of sources of information

The paper should be two pages and in APA style. Write the paper in a Word document.

Compose your work in a .doc or .docx file type using a word processor (such as Microsoft Word, etc.) and save it frequently to your computer. For those assignments that are not written essays and require uploading images or PowerPoint slides, please follow uploading guidelines provided by your instructor.

Use the Internet or Excelsior Library to find a scholarly source that lists various management theories.

For this activity you will be choosing one of the theories of management that you found and writing a 2 to 3 paragraph initial post that explains how you plan to use that theory of management in developing the new process for your chosen organization.

Things to Consider:

• What are the benefits of using the selected management theory in the development of a process? What are the downsides to this particular theory?

• Provide examples of other leaders successfully implementing the management theory.

In response to your classmates:

• Respond to those who chose different theories than you.
• Examine how the theory they chose, when combined with your chosen theory, affects the development of your process.
• Include evidence to support your conclusions. This evidence should be something such as an example of a leader applying various theories in order to achieve their desired outcome. It could also be a scholarly article that details which theories work best together.

Things to Remember!

1. Post a 2 to 4 paragraph discussion post (300 words minimum). Justify your explanations by including in-text citations and references in APA format as applicable.

2. Post your primary response on the discussion board by Thursday at 11:59 pm ET. Be sure to review your writing for grammar and spelling before posting. Read any postings already provided by your instructor or fellow students.

3. Read and respond to at least two of your classmates. Remember to read the feedback to your own major postings and reply to it throughout the module.

For information about writing your discussion posts, consult Discussion Tips. Be sure to check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you post it. When you are ready to make your initial posting, please click on the "Create Thread" button, copy/paste the text from your document into the message field and click "Submit."

Use the EC Library resources to properly cite your work:

• APA Format Tip Sheet [PDF, 176.82 KB]
• Citing Sources
• Plagiarism & Copyright

Review the SBT Discussion Rubric located in the "Start Here-Course Information" section of the course for more information on grading criteria. Please review the rubric carefully so you are familiar with the expectations of the activity.

- INTEGRATED BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT (M2, A1):

Conduct a SWOT analysis using the information you gathered in Module 1 regarding your chosen process. Review the various readings to identify the structure of a SWOT analysis. This SWOT analysis will be conducted on the current processes in place for your organization that are related to your chosen management issue. You should clearly highlight the weaknesses as you will need to convince the board that the process should be changed.

After completing your SWOT analysis, provide a short one-page summary on how you plan to use your SWOT as a management tool when improving or changing the current policy. You should also be addressing how your management theory will help you apply your SWOT analysis.

This assignment should include:

• A comprehensive SWOT analysis. Clearly highlight the weaknesses as, in Module 8 you will need to convince the board and all the stakeholders that the process does need to be changed.

• A one- page (200-300 word) summary that explains how you plan to use your SWOT analysis as a management tool.

• Using the management theories you selected in the discussion this week and your SWOT analysis, develop a 2 to 3 page business strategy that will help you address the weaknesses that were identified as a result of your analysis

Compose your work using a word processor (or other software as appropriate) and save it frequently to your computer. Be sure to check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors before you upload it. When you are ready to submit your work, click "Browse My Computer" and find your file.