Discussion: Leadership in Practice: A Real-World View

Throughout this course, you have examined theories and styles of leadership in business settings. You have explored the characteristics and behaviors of effective leaders and followers and the ways in which both roles are critical for a business’s success. You have also engaged in critical reflection to examine your own ethics, values, and principles to derive your own leadership perspectives and behaviors, including how you will use your leadership to be an agent for positive social change. For the final Discussion of the course, you will choose a leader from your professional career and compare their leadership style and traits to the many topics and issues presented throughout the course. 

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Identify a person from your professional career (past or present) whom you consider to be a great leader.
• Consider the following for your selected leader:
  • What has this individual accomplished in their career as a leader?
  • In what ways is/was this individual’s leadership effective?
  • What level of emotional intelligence does/did this leader exhibit, if any?
  • Does/Did this leader demonstrate inclusiveness in their leadership style? Are you able to see this person’s purpose and passion in their leadership?

By Day 3

Post your evaluation of your assigned leader’s impact on a business by addressing the following:

• Describe the individual leader you identified, including any relevant professional background.
• Evaluate your selected leader’s leadership and management skills for each of the following prompts. Additionally, be sure to include a rationale to justify your posts. (Hint: The answer should not be “because they have done well.” Your evaluation should link leadership and management skills you have examined throughout the course to specific examples of their successes or challenges.)
  • Explain whether you think this individual is/was an effective leader. (Include your rationale.)
  • Does/Did this leader exhibit emotional intelligence? (Include your rationale.)
  • Would you consider this individual an ethical leader? (Include your rationale.)
  • Do/Did they practice inclusive leadership? (Include your rationale.)
  • What sustainability initiatives is/was this leader driving? (Include your rationale.)
• What lessons can you learn from this individual? Explain the implications such lessons can have on your career as a leader and as a manager.

Refer to the Week 8 Discussion Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this grading rubric to assess your work.

Read some of your colleagues’ postings.

By Day 5

Respond to two or more of your colleagues’ posts in one or more of the following ways:

• Offer an alternate perspective on your colleague’s evaluation of their selected leader. Draw some parallels between their selected leader and your selected leader.
• Ask a question or offer your perspective about the lessons your colleague described and what could be the potential from their application. Be sure to base your question and/or perspective on prior research or experience.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.