MBA7002 - Leadership and Professional Development

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Critically review a range of leadership models, theories and concepts and evaluate their effectiveness.
Demonstrate awareness of their leadership development needs and formulate a plan to address these.
Utilise online networks for personal and professional development, and evidencing expertise and thought leadership.

Content:

This module introduces students to a consideration of learning theory to inform personal self-directed development, including the ability to critically reflect on personal experiences and articulate the learning from these experiences. The main practical focus is on individual reflection of personal leadership potential, drawing on a range of exercises to evaluate students' own styles and approaches, leadership journey and development needs.

Based on a professional development model, students will develop their own leadership style and be able to justify its theoretical base, as well as show how their ongoing professional development can continually enhance their skills. Students will then be expected to showcase their expertise in online networks, whereby they contribute to debates and discussions and develop their online persona which has integrity with their professional life.

The theoretical part of the module will focus on the critical overview of traditional approaches to leadership, such as trait, situational and process theories, as well as wide-ranging consideration of new approaches, which conceptualise leadership as separate from authority and management, such as Connective Leadership, Shared/Distributed Leadership, Servant Leadership, VUCA and Narrative Leadership. Building on the range of nationalities present in the cohort, there will be frequent opportunities to explore cultural differences in leadership approach. A critical analysis of ethical and values based leadership and principles of corporate social responsibility which underpins organisational strategy will be expected.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The sessions will be organised in 3 8-hour teaching blocks. Lectures will deliver core theoretical frameworks, followed by workshops and personal exercises for reflection and development.

Lectures and Seminars
Hours: 24
Intended Group size: Cohort

Workshops
Hours: 6
Intended Group size: Cohort or variable size groups

Guided independent study
Hours: 170

Further details relating to assessment
Individual presentation: the key real-world assessment content of the presentation will aim to replicate an interview for a leadership role and involve the following elements:
1. Theoretical justification of personal leadership approach with awareness of situation and context (for example, sensitive to various corporate or international contexts) and addressing ethical/CSR considerations.
2. Leadership Development Review - a self-critical appraisal of areas for development
3. Structured interview of a selected 'leader'.
4. Online Professional Profile - a live and networked virtual profile that showcases the student's approach to leadership. This would typically be in the form of a Linkedin profile but could be a webpage.

Assessment:

001 Presentation; 20mins; end of term 1 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Ian McGregor-Brown
Level - 7
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 7T17T1

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