Education

Web Resources

-Dr. Amy Garrett Dikkers, University of North Carolina Wilmington

 

Multimedia Resources

-Dr. Amy Garrett Dikkers, University of North Carolina Wilmington

 

Activities

Activity 1.  Send out a survey before the first class asking students the following questions:

  • Define effective leadership and ineffective leadership.
  • Provide concrete examples of effective leadership and ineffective leadership in your organizational context.

Use these on the first day of class and throughout the semester to see how the examples align with different theoretical perspectives.

Activity 2.  Throughout the chapters, as we discuss transformative leadership or servant leadership, for example, students identify a leader who demonstrates characteristics of a specific approach, explore multimedia and web resources of that individual, and reflect on how he/she exemplifies a certain approach. They then post a minimum 5 paragraph reflection or 5-7 minute audio or use another innovative tool (Prezi, Glogster, Animoto, etc.).

Activity 3.  Leadership in Action - In the next two weeks at work, pay close attention to leader-follower interactions. As you watch these interactions, practice application of the theories and approaches we’ve discussed so far this semester. In the discussion board, Leadership in Action, provide us with a concrete example of what you saw and explain which theory/approach it may you think of (minimum three paragraph response or five minute audio/video or other multimedia). 

For example:

  1. My department chair sent the faculty an email asking if we had agenda items for a department meeting and that she only had one item – setting goals for the year. She wanted to know if her item was something we could discuss via email or if we had other items to discuss. A couple people responded cc’ing all and saying they were fine conducting that work over email. She followed up with an email cancelling the meeting and asking us to reply all with our ideas for goals in advance of our next scheduled meeting.
  2. I would then go on to discuss (in approximately two paragraphs to add to the paragraph of context/situation above), how using the style approach and thinking of a balance between task and relational behaviors came through in her correspondence and task-setting for us. I could also talk about the situational approach and how this may be a task that she views us as highly competent and committed on so she can expect that we will respond and work in this fashion. However, I could also talk about how some people may be lesser committed and just be glad we aren’t having a meeting (making appropriate references to course materials, of course).

Activity 4.  Leadership Training on the Web: Northouse states that many training and development companies use the style approach to teach managers how to become more effective.  Look up several of these programs online.  Most will list the services they offer and associated fees.  But there are some that offer free tips for improving one’s skills.  Guiding questions follow:

  1. To what extent are these courses (either free or fee-based) based on research?  What makes them persuasive or attractive to potential customers?
  2. What evidence do you see for different leadership approaches addressed in these courses? (Think about whether and how they align with trait, skills, style, or situational approaches.)

-Dr. Amy Garrett Dikkers, University of North Carolina Wilmington

 

Suggested Assignments

Assignment 1.  Leadership Philosophy Paper

Students generate an initial paper about their Leadership Philosophy at the beginning of the class. Then they return to the initial paper at the end of the semester to revise it, augmenting/changing/editing/revising their thoughts and supporting what they said with references to the course materials. Students use track changes on their document to show how their philosophy has shifted and/or how they are better able to discuss their philosophy academically.

Assignment 2.  Leadership Profile Instruments

Students complete the leadership profile instruments throughout the Northouse book, develop a leadership profile and plan for growth (identifying areas of growth and a plan of action).

Assignment 3.  Leadership Approach Articles

Students choose an article of interest that utilizes a specific leadership approach and critique its use of the approach as a framework.

-Dr. Amy Garrett Dikkers, University of North Carolina Wilmington

 

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge  the following individuals for granting us permission to post the content on this page.

Amy Garrett Dikkers, PhD
Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership Department
University of North Carolina Wilmington