PROJECT ASSIGNMENT-
LEADERS A critical role of the M.B.A. process is to prepare you for real-life experience, specifically as it pertains to the business setting and, even more so, for the boardroom. While you may be receiving supplemental coaching and instruction regarding your presentation skills, the classroom will be your arena to further advance these skills. Therefore, the research and the content of your Leadership projects will account for a portion of your presentation grade, while the remaining portion will be focused on your demonstration of conveying these ideas with clarity and purpose. Additional information regarding the expectations of the Leadership project will be distributed as a separate document. Note: All Leadership Presentations are to be submitted directly to the instructor. No student feedback required. These will NOT be posted on BB, so it is your responsibility to read the syllabus to know what part of your Leadership Presentation is due when.
You will want to select a current, self-made leader to write about for this. This person can be any woman or man, from any country, any age and can lead in any industry of interest: commerce, politics, sports, the arts, technology, etc. They don't have to be benevolent. Steve Jobs wasn't known for his kindness.
They do have to be someone who came from a modest background - wasn't born into, married into or inherited any kind of funds. They should be the best in their industry. They should also be changing the world. No small players.
Leaders to avoid (as many students have reported on these in the past or I just know a lot about them and you don't want to submit a presentation on either.
Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Larry Ellison, Bill Gates, Sheryl Sandberg, Michelle Obama, Angela Merkel. These seemed to be very popular choices in the past. Oh, yes, also, please avoid Lebron James and Dan Gilbert. We know they are amazing. And if we live here in CLE we know all the tremendous ways in which they are amazing.
Give me someone fresh. It can be someone local or national or global.
You need to submit your topic to me by Sunday June 4. I have to approve it. There could be familiar names I missed above or someone who doesn't quite fit the criteria.
It'll be on first come, first get basis. So the first person to email me a name I approve gets it even if 4 other people email me after. So in your best advantage to do so.
One thing to keep in mind when you work on this and as you dive deep into the class, this is the question I encourage you to ask yourself: Knowing what you know about what it took for this person to succeed are you willing to pay the same price in order to achieve the same level of success? What is your morality opportunity cost?
Formatting info to come.
Recordings - You do NOT have to record yourself giving the presentation. You will be submitting a PowerPoint (or Prezzy) only, no paper, either. But you will need to submit a transcript of your interview with your primary source. This can be an email exchange, audio or video recording.
Primary Source - Each semester some students ask about the difference between primary and secondary sources and also how to cite them. If you need help with this please make an appointment with the CSU Writing Center right away.
--> Topics your class has already selected so no one else can choose these leaders: Jim Pshock, Jeff Bezos, John D. Arnold, Tony Hseih, Amancio Ortega.