UNIT 1

Defining Leadership And Modeling The Way

INTRODUCTION

We begin our journey in this course by identifying the five practices of exemplary leadership and the ten commitments of leadership, as identified by Kouzes and Posner (2008). In your discussions for this unit, you will examine the first of the five practices of exemplary leadership: modeling the way (Kouzes & Posner, 2008). In the readings for this unit, you will learn what people tend to look for and admire in a leader. You will also examine the keys to effective leadership, as identified by Rath and Conchie (2008). In addition, you will be called upon to define what you believe to be the essential difference between leadership and management. As you delve into these questions, you will build your understanding of what makes an effective leader.

References
Kouzes, J., & Posner, B. (2012). The leadership challenge (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Rath, T., & Conchie, B. (2008). Strengths based leadership. New York, NY: Gallup Press.

OBJECTIVES

To successfully complete this learning unit, you will be expected to:

1. Evaluate the attributes and themes of a specific leader in order to determine the characteristics of successful leadership.

2. Articulate individual examples of the practice of modeling the way.

3. Evaluate how an individual's personal characteristics can be applied in leadership situations.

4. Articulate the differences between the concepts of leadership and management.

Readings

Use your The Leadership Challenge text, by Kouzes and Posner, to complete the following readings:

Introduction, "Making Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations," pages 1-7.

Chapter 1, "When Leaders Are at Their Best," pages 9-40.

Chapter 2, "Clarify Values," pages 43-69. Chapter 3, "Set the Example," pages 71-97.

Use your Strengths Based Leadership text to complete the following readings:

"Introduction," pages 1-3. "Part One," pages 5-17.

Project Preparation

The focus of your course project is to examine effective leadership practices by studying one real-world business leader, using Kouzes and Posner's The Leadership Challenge approach. You will complete several assignments throughout this course,

building to a final paper in Unit 5. To begin, read the Effective Leadership Practices course project description to learn about the requirements for your course project.

In this unit, you must select the business leader you wish to study throughout the course for this project. Choose a business leader to study by using either of the following two options:

Option A: Interview a Personally-Known Business Leader - Interview an individual currently in a leadership role.

Option B: Research a Well-Known Business Leader - Conduct research on a well-known business leader whose name appears on the approved list located in the Resources.

Note: Both options are more fully outlined in the project description.

Prior to the beginning of Unit 2, decide if you are going to select Option A or Option B.

If you select Option A, use the course Messages system and send a message to your instructor that includes your selected leader's name, title, and the company name.

If you select Option B, select three business leaders from the Option B list and use the course Messages system to send the names to your instructor. Your instructor will approve one of the three for you to study for your project. You must select a leader not already chosen by another learner in this course.

Before starting your research, ensure that your instructor has approved your Option A or B selection. If you have any questions about the project at this time, contact your instructor for assistance or clarification.

Assignment 1 Definition of Leadership

Based on the readings for this unit, your independent research, and your self-reflection, write a paper that addresses the following prompts:

What is your definition of leadership? How important is it to have a definition of leadership? How does your definition support your perspective on the concept of leadership?

What is your approach to understanding leadership? Does it start with a definition, or do you simply follow your instincts? What is your definition of management?

What do you see as the differences between leadership and management?

Complete and submit your assignment as an attachment. You are also required to submit your assignment to Turnitin (Unit 1 Definition of Leadership).

Your paper should be 2-3 pages in length and include a minimum of two sources other than your textbook. Format your paper according to current APA style and formatting guidelines.

Discussion 1 Modeling the Way

Read the Discussion Participation Scoring Guide to learn how your discussions throughout the course will be evaluated.

In your readings for this unit from The Leadership Challenge, you are introduced to the first of the five practices of effective leadership: model the way. According to Kouzes and Posner, leaders must clarify their values and set a good example in order to model the way for their followers.

The essentials of clarifying values include:

Find your voice. Affirm shared values.

The essentials of setting the example include:

Personify the shared values.

Teach others to model the way.

For this discussion, complete the following:

Select one essential of clarifying values and one of setting the example, and explain what each means to you.

If you are in (or have been in) a leadership role, describe how your leadership behavior exemplified the practice of modeling the way.

Note: Your leadership experience may have been outside the workplace. If you have not been in any type of leadership role, describe how you witnessed a leader of yours exemplifying the practice of modeling the way.

Response Guidelines

Read your peers' posts and respond to at least two. In each response, include additional thoughts or reflections that further the discussion. If possible, respond to peers who have not already received feedback.

Read the GREAT Discussion Guidelines for additional guidance on providing substantive response posts. For your convenience, this document is accessible in the Resources for every discussion in this course.

Reference
Kouzes, J., & Posner, B. (2012). The leadership challenge (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Discussion 2 - Keys to Effective Leadership

In the introduction of Strengths Based Leadership, Rath and Conchie ask, "What are the keys to being a more effective leader" (Rath & Conchie, p.2)? According to the text, a team of experts was assembled to address this question and they produced three key findings:

1. The most effective leaders are always investing in strengths.

2. The most effective leaders surround themselves with the right people and then maximize their team.

3. The most effective leaders understand their followers' needs (Rath & Conchie, pp. 2-3).

What do you think of these findings? Do you agree or disagree with these conclusions? Why? Describe how you have seen each of these keys used by a leader. Could that leader be you? If so, describe how you used these keys.

Response Guidelines

Read your peers' posts and respond to at least two. In each response, include additional thoughts or reflections that further the discussion. If possible, respond to peers who have not already received feedback.

Reference

Rath, T., & Conchie, B. (2008). Strengths based leadership. New York, NY: Gallup Press.

Textbook - The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations, 5th Edition by James kouzes and Barry ponser

Attachment:- Assignment.rar