Length:

20 minutes (strictly enforced)

Format:

Presentation

Due:

Starting as of Saturday, 13 January 2018 in class.

Weighting:

15%

Each syndicate group will be assigned a current topic in leadership to research and then present their findings on issues arising under that topic to the class. You should meet with your group early on in the term to allow time to prepare your presentation. Contact Gayle.Avery@mgsm.edu.au with your proposed structure and any questions you may have about researching your topic.

Topics have been chosen that relate to the material to be discussed in the associated session. To start you off, a number of questions are provided with each topic, together with some links to research or examples relevant to the topic. You are not expected to cover the entire set of questions within your topic, but should choose aspects to present to the class within the time available. You should consider the pros and cons of the topic, many of which are very new and still highly controversial. The objective is to familiarize the class with various sides of the arguments supported by evidence.

Among other things, the presentation should cover:

1.        Introduction – why is this topic important?

2.       What are the key issues involved?

3.       What does research say about the topic?

4.       What practical examples or actions can we see? Who is doing it? Who is not?

5.       What are the likely benefits of this aspect of leadership?

6.       What are the likely consequences of overlooking this aspect of leadership?

7.       When, if ever, is this likely to become an issue for leaders?

Please note: Groups 1-3 will present on the first weekend; Groups 4-6 on the second weekend.

The time allotted to each group's presentation is strictly limited to 20 minutes. Up to 10 minutes discussion and fielding of questions from the rest of the class will follow afterwards. Marks will be deducted for going over time during the presentation, but not if the presentation sparks a longer discussion.

The presenting group is required to submit a copy of the script or any powerpoint slides used within one week following the presentation. This will be posted on the class wiki. Note: This is not intended to create additional work for the group. Normally materials used during the presentation can be submitted as they are without any further modification.

Group presentations will take place in class starting from Saturday, 13 January 2018.  Please refer to this outline and the class webpage for presentation details.

Note: Each member of the syndicate group is required to participate equally in the presentation (including in the speaking part), which is expected to be presented in a creative and interesting way.

Length:

5,000 words (max)

Format:

Report

Due:

12 February, 2018, 6pm HK time in hard copy format (submitted to Hong Kong Campus) and softcopy uploaded to MGSM iLearn

Weighting:

35%

Syndicate groups are asked to ‘diagnose’ the leadership and motivational aspects of an organisation known to the group, using the theories, models and tools covered in this course. Each group should decide on one organisation, division or team to study. It will be necessary to choose an organisation where you can access information from different perspectives (including followers’) and at appropriate levels in order to investigate leadership and motivation issues.

The group should identify and analyse the leadership/motivation issues surrounding a particular incident or event that could have been handled better, or cover general leadership approaches within the chosen organisation (or a part of an organisation). Are the leadership/motivation practices and philosophies appropriate for where the organisation is heading?  Do people, systems and leadership align?

The purpose of this assignment is to analyse the leadership and motivation strengths and weaknesses within a particular organisation/relating to a particular event through the lens of diverse theories, models and frameworks.

Your challenge is to advise top management on the leadership in the organisation, on how a specific event might be remedied or have been handled better (which of these applies will depend on the approach the group takes). Consider a range of stakeholders, include leaders and followers; consider the alignment with strategy and the approaches taken to achieving alignment (if any). Consider the appropriateness of leadership paradigms operating in the firm. Where within the organisation is the chosen leadership sustainable and where not? Are there any national cultural issues involved? How might the firm address the issues you have identified? What is the outlook for future leadership in this organisation?

In writing up the results of this assignment, the group should apply perspectives, theories, models, concepts etc. from this unit to their chosen organisation or part of an organisation. The final report should include a leadership strategy, plan or other advice appropriate to the organisation, establishing priorities for any recommended action. 

The project is to be submitted as a written group "consultants" report, stating the contribution of each member to the task and uploaded to iLearn. Deadline: 12 February, 2018.

The report should be a maximum of 5000 words long (12 point font, 1.5 line spacing, 2.5 cm margins) plus any relevant material in appendices, and should include the following (not necessarily in this order):

• Member contribution statement (see below)
• Executive summary (this is a required part of the report and contributes to the word count, usually about ½ page long)
• Introduction, scope and rationale for the choice of incident, organisation/division to study
• A brief description of the organisation itself and the people involved
• A succinct description of the incident and its ramifications
• Identification of the leadership/motivation issues
• Interpretation of the outcomes and their implications for the organisation, giving explicit consideration to relevant leadership & motivation theories, research, literature and any current debates, as well as the needs of the organisation.
• Conclusion about the significance of the findings for any key debates identified in the literature, implications for leadership theory/research, and lessons learnt for improving leadership and motivation behaviour
• Recommendations for future leadership/motivation strategies for the organisation
• List of references actually used in the report.

Please note the following on preparation and presentation of the report:

• Data collection strategy must be clearly outlined (who, when, where), ie what is the source of the information?  
• The report must refer to and analyse a range of conceptual material including that covered in the course, linking it with the data that are collected or other forms of evidence to support your claims.  
• The report should be clearly written and argued, and well referenced with evidence from the literature and original sources as appropriate.

Note: Each member of the group is expected to participate equally in the preparation of the report. Individual performance in the Group assignment will be assessed as per the Member Contribution Statement in Group Report.

Member contribution statement

At the time of handing in the assignment, an indication of exactly what each member did for the project must be provided. The group needs to agree on what percentage of the final mark each person should receive. Please indicate this as follows on the cover sheet of the assignment:

Name of member 1    %                     Name of member 2    %

Name of member 3    %                     Name of member 4    %

If the group assesses the contribution of each member as equal, each member will receive 100% of the final mark subject to the final decision of the lecturer. In cases where the group decides that some members did not contribute equally, the proportional contribution should be reflected in the above percentages.

Length:

3,500 words (max)

Format:

Report

Due:

25 February, 2018, 6pm HK time in hard copy format (Submitted to Hong Kong Campus) and softcopy uploaded to MGSM iLearn

Weighting:

50%

This exercise is intended to enable you to learn a great deal about leadership in practice, and to help develop your own leadership potential.  You are required to submit a 3,500 word assignment on your leadership and/or motivation experiences, reflecting on and incorporating material covered in this subject and showing applications of it to your own leadership behaviour and experiences.

The emphasis of the assignment must be on the analysis, rather than on just describing the situation. Linkages to course materials, theories, models and literature must be clear and extensive, and sources must be referenced (including any URLs and acknowledging sources of any graphics). The assignment must show both understanding of relevant theoretical material and its applications to the real world. To be eligible for a high grade, the assignment needs to be well written, analytical, critical of the theories and concepts where appropriate, well researched beyond the textbook, and clearly showing linkages between theories and models to the leadership and motivation events being discussed.

Choice of leadership events: The choice of leadership events to analyse in this assignment is wide ranging, and could apply to your past, present or future. Examples, which should all use the models, concepts and other materials from this subject during the analysis, include:

1. Analyse a leadership situation from your past or a current event to which you can link the material from this subject. OR
2. Analyse your own leadership mistakes and successes in a particular situation.  OR
3. Choose the worst (or best) leader you have ever worked with, and analyse why you regard him/her as the best or worst. OR
4. If you are moving into a new position, you might choose to develop a leadership plan for yourself using materials from this unit. This involves assessing your current leadership behaviours/skills, the kind of leadership required in the new role, and then how to address the resulting gaps. 

The assignment is due on 25 February, 2018.  The report should be uploaded to iLearn and submitted in hard copy to Hong Kong Campus. The uploaded files should be  clearly labeled with your name and headed "(Name) Leadership & motivation assignment".  Assessment criteria include:

• Range of leadership & motivation topics addressed
• Depth of analysis rather than description
• Clear linkages between course material and applications
• Demonstration of understanding of how to apply research and theory
• Showing linkages between different theories and research outcomes and your topic
• Clear writing style and expression (typos & poor grammar lose marks)
• Critical or original thinking
• Appropriate referencing of sources
• Coherent argumentation supporting your conclusion
• Drawing conclusions
• Overall presentation.

Late assignment penalty (all assignments): 10% per day late except with advance permission.

Marking criteria will be made available in class / iLearn)