| A: Assessment Details | |
| Module Title | Leadership in Action |
| Module Code | BU7401 |
| Module Leader | |
| Component Number | 1 |
| Assessment Type, Word Count & Weighting | Individual written assignment 4000 words 100% of module grade |
| Submission Deadline | 21/10/2022 |
| Submission Instructions | Online submission using Turn It In |
| Feedback Return Date | 4 weeks after submission |
| B: Learning Outcomes |
| Synthesise and critically analyse the evolution and nature of contemporary management and leadership and the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings, to identify recognised best practiceCritically reflect and evaluate their own leadership style, and evaluate their learning style to identify future growth areas Create their own structured personal development plans, orientated to their own future career aspirations as a leader |
| C: Assessment Task |
| Task Using an experience of leadership where you were either the leader, being led or observed within a workplace or informal environment, you are asked to evaluate your experience and critically analyse it in respect of your newly acquired knowledge as part of this module. What worked well, what did not and what could you or someone have done better? Your reflection should include and draw upon critical insights, relating to how you learn from reflection and incorporate the use of reflective models to support your analysis. Evaluating the experience, critical reflection should include an assessment of your learning from the experience, to form the basis of a learning plan where you critically reflect on areas for your personal development which you need to improve on and why to become a more effective leader The learning plan must be set out with clearly defined objectives, aims and measurement over a specific time period so that you can effectively measure your achievement of these learning objectives over a 12-month period. Specific consideration should be given to specific themes covering motivation, teams, work design and cultural elements. The personal learning plan will further build on and develop the personal learning you have identified from your chosen learning experience, in relation to your development as a manager and/or leader and the effective management of others. Please utilise the SMART framework to design your plan. |
| D: Assignment Briefing |
| Your personal experience and academic judgment. However, please take account of the following guidance. Your work will be marked according to the following criteria (please see the marking rubric later in this brief for details of what each requirement covers in relation to the task): Knowledge and understanding of management, identity and/or leadership theory and practice (30%)Critical analysis and interpretation of management theory and practice (40%)Critical reflection, personal and professional evaluation and application (30%) The key to this brief is to be able to integrate and synthesise relevant academic theories with reflection on your own experience and practice. This means using each (theory and experience/practice) to inform, interpret, analyse and evaluate the other. For example – How might a particular theory help to explain your personal management practice or experience? For example – How can your personal management practice and experience help to evaluate a particular theory? It is usually more effective, particularly for short assignments, to aim for an in-depth analysis with a narrow focus, rather than trying to cover many different things. You are not expected to provide a comprehensive account of your management career, nor of theories and practices of management and/or leadership. You will be given credit for being able to select appropriate and relevant materials and integrate them effectively. For example, you may choose to discuss a particular event which has shaped your understanding of management, or use a particular theory as a lens with which to examine your personal understanding and management practice. Relevant academic theories should include at least one of the following (more are discussed in the module materials): Theories of managementTheories of identityTheories of leadership Your personal experience and practice may include: Experience of being a managerExperience of being managedExperience of observing managersAccounts of managers and management that you have read or heard about In your account you may wish to consider one or more of the following: Has your understanding of management changed? In what ways, how and why?Has your understanding been affected by your initial MBA studies? In what ways, how and why?Do you see yourself as a manager? Why? Do you see yourself as a leader? Why?In what ways does your experience of being a manager (or observing managers) reflect theories of management and leadership? In what ways does your experience challenge theories? |
| E: Workbook : Observation/Experience | |
| Experience of being a managerExperience of being managedExperience of observing managersAccounts of managers and management that you have read or heard about Using the above how are you going to explain your observations about leadership? Detail below how you will details your observations or experiences? Detail this below Max 100 words. I.e., My observation of a Team leader under which I worked for – what did I see them do/say/behave in relation to their type of leadership? Very Laid back, little direction as Team knew what they needed to do and did it. Remove this include your thoughts. | |
| F: Workbook : Theoretical Framework | |
| Theories of managementTheories of identityTheories of leadership Which Theories and writers models are you going to use to conceptualise your reflection. Name at least 5 models and concepts you will be using and detail why they are appropriate to your reflective section. I.e. Nature of leader I saw in team I worked in – Theory Blake & Mouton Leadership Grid 1964 – Type of Leaders Type of activities we did and power – Fielder Contingent model 1967 (remove to write your thoughts) | |
| G: Workbook : Reflection | |
| What reflective models are you going to look at to reflect on your thoughts on what you did/saw and where you need to reflect in terms of Has your understanding of management changed? In what ways, how and why?Has your understanding been affected by your initial MBA studies? In what ways, how and why?Do you see yourself as a manager? Why? Do you see yourself as a leader? Why? So where may some growth parts be for you for the second assignment and why? Where do you need to grow to be a better leader or manager and why? Max 100 words I.e. – Having reflected on what I saw of the style of management I would think I am more of a transformation leader because of x/y/z but I will be looking to assess my leadership skills by performing a 360 review and mentor discussion to get some further evidence of what the reality of what I think and what others think? – Remove to include your thoughts | |
| H: Workbook : Learning Style | |
| What is your learning style? What models have you used to determine your optimal style and why is learning important for you as a leader and people you lead? Why do leaders need to learn Why is understanding your learning style important The role of leadership learning So what is my learning style and why is this important for my leadership plan. Max 100 words I.e. – Using xyz models I found my natural style is xyz and this will informs me that for my learning plan I need to sure I focus on following methods of learning.My measurement approach will be to use xyz to ensure I can evidence my personal growth using this style. | |