Students

MGMT8011 – Learning to be a Leader

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Patrick Garcia
patrick.garcia@mq.edu.au
Contact via via discussion forums on iLearn
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
MGMT6051 or 20cp at 8000 level or Admission to MMgmt (1 year)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

The overarching goal of this unit is to help students understand and apply contemporary theories of leadership to enhance their readiness and effectiveness as leaders. The unit emphasises personal development, with a key focus on making life choices and vision-creation aligned with one’s values and strengths, so they can become the leaders they aspire to be.  The unit also equips students with self-leadership knowledge to develop a positive mindset, personal integrity, and resilience.  Another focus relates to the development of leadership capability to manage a range of stakeholder interests, lead positive change, and deliver results using pro-social frameworks.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Evaluate contemporary theories about the nature and processes of leading.​
  • ULO2: Analyse the differences between leading and managing​
  • ULO3: Formulate a personal leadership development plan

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments)

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Skills Development: Critical Analysis 20% No 11/09/2025
Professional Practice: Leadership Development Analysis 30% No Scheduled presentations on Week 9, 10, and 11
Skills Development: Leadership Development Plan 50% No 30/10/2025

Skills Development: Critical Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 11/09/2025
Weighting: 20%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding of course concepts and theories through a critique of a video, podcast, or focused reading on leadership.

You will provide a critical analysis of the ideas presented by 1) relating the ideas to the concepts and theories discussed in class and 2) discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the suggested approach.

Skills in focus:

  • Discipline knowledge
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication

Deliverable: Written report [max 500 words].

Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate contemporary theories about the nature and processes of leading.​
  • Analyse the differences between leading and managing​

Professional Practice: Leadership Development Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Scheduled presentations on Week 9, 10, and 11
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to a) demonstrate your understanding of course concepts by analysing a real world case and b) practice and improve teamwork, project management, research, and communication skills.

You will work in teams to examine a real-world case to analyse the leader’s development journey and evaluate their leadership approach using relevant theories.

Skills in focus:

  • Discipline knowledge
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Work readiness

Deliverable: Written group report [max. 2,000 words] accompanied by a group presentation (max 20 min per group).

Group and individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate contemporary theories about the nature and processes of leading.​
  • Analyse the differences between leading and managing​

Skills Development: Leadership Development Plan

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 30/10/2025
Weighting: 50%

 

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate your ability to apply the leadership knowledge learned in this unit to produce an evidence-based plan for your leadership and career development.

You will draw on the leadership perspectives and theories introduced in this unit and the self-assessment tools you completed to reflect on and analyse your strengths/ weaknesses in leadership development and identify the opportunities/threats along your leadership journey. You then need to develop a plan of action on how to achieve your leadership development goals.

Skills in focus:

  • Discipline knowledge
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication
  • Work readiness

Deliverable: Written individual report [max. 1,500 words].

Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse the differences between leading and managing​
  • Formulate a personal leadership development plan

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Refer to iLearn for details.

Unit Schedule

Refer to iLearn for details. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook