Project - Bridging Theory and Practice Leadership Paper
Throughout the term you have been introduced to the concepts of the language of leadership. These concepts take on many forms and are articulated both effectively and ineffectively through message and story. Your Final Paper is a summation of thoughts and theoretically-based concepts on the effectiveness of your selected leader's message and story. Consider and reflect upon classroom Discussions and theoretical learning throughout the term as you prepare and construct your summative paper.
Final Project-Bridging Theory and Practice Leadership Paper
In order to assess understanding and critical application of the language of leadership, thus bridging theory into practice, you will be completing a summative paper for this course. The paper should be at least 15 pages and not more than 18 pages of developed content and include, at a minimum, the following Level 1 section headings.
To complete the Final Project, you will select a contemporary leader in the government or nonprofit sector and write a paper that addresses the following:
Introduction and Background (½-1 page)
o The introduction should provide the reader with an overview of your chosen government or nonprofit sector leader, as well as informational background to introduce the setting and the context of the leader's environment.
Leader Biography (1 page)
o This leadership biography should provide historical context, which serves as background to their rise to a government or nonprofit leadership position. Inclusion of education, leadership experiences, and civic engagement is useful information to describe the setting for their leadership contributions.
Contributions to Society/Organization (at least 2 pages)
o With sufficient depth and breadth of content, describe your selected leader's leadership contributions to their respective organization and, where applicable, to society as a whole. Be specific, and provide examples to support your description. Describe how these contributions made a difference to their organization or to a specific social movement. Have these contributions resulted in sustainable social change?
Leadership Analysis (at least 3 pages):
Analysis of their leadership behaviors and how they use the language of leadership to motivate and persuade others
o Describe interpersonal and public leadership behaviors demonstrated by your selected leader. Your description should incorporate a variety of perspectives. These behaviors may range from private- or small-group © 2015 Laureate Education, Inc. Page 2 of 2 interactions (if the leader is known to you personally) to behaviors exhibited to broad public audiences, particularly where you may have selected a government leader. Apply leadership principles based on scholarly content from the assigned readings, as well as content obtained through your developed reference list.
Leadership Recommendations (at least 5 pages): Specific recommendations, supported with academic references to improve their leadership
o Imagine yourself as the immediate supervisor for your selected leader armed with specific examples of leadership behaviors described in the paper's previous section. In this context, develop specific, theory-based recommendations for leadership improvements. Describe how positive behaviors should be supported, and incorporate specific tools to reverse or minimize leadership behaviors that are viewed as non-beneficial or counterproductive. Be certain to incorporate a brief Discussion on how needed behavior changes will be measured and evaluated for sustainability.
Summary and Conclusions (½-1 page)
o Summarize key points made throughout the paper. Include any personal insights gained regarding your selected leader, their leadership behaviors, and their impact on social change at an individual, group, or society level.