Organisational Leadership Unit

FAQs on the Assignment

(to help you get your ducks in a row!)
Part 1 Assignment:
What does Part 1 really ask us to do?
Using two different leadership models and/or leadership questionnaires, evaluate your own preferred leadership style. Critically evaluate the benefits and
drawbacks of this style and critically discuss in what situations this style might be the most effective and why.
1. Choose 2 models and/or questionnaires (note that usually questionnaires are linked with a specific leadership model/approach
anyway- e.g. the LEAD questionnaire posted on MYBU links to the 4 quadrant Blanchard model there are already a range of
questionnaires which have been scanned from Northouse posted weeks ago on MyBU for your use).We have also talked in the
seminars and drop in groups about Trait theory, behaviours and competencies as a leadership model.
2. Either complete the relevant questionnaires or compare your skills/experience against a theoretical model it is up to you how
you choose to do this and which questionnaires/models you use. This is part of the evaluation of your leadership style
because at the end you will have 2 outputs that tell you what specific style of leadership you have, and the details of that
leadership style will be clear. Consider what is similar or different about the 2 outputs what does this tell you about your
preferred leadership style? Which style, out of the 2 you have chosen, particularly resonates with you or seems most
appropriate? Choose 1 leadership style to work with, as this will make your life easier when you look at the rest of the
assignment. If you have chosen trait, behaviour or competencies these will underpin the other leadership style. Please
make sure you use a valid questionnaire to use or the results may not be accurate.
3. Critically evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of this preferred leadership style Why is it good to have this particular
leadership style? What can you do well in this style? What knowledge/skills/tasks might you not be so good at with this style?
What impact would this have on your approach to leadership (e.g. Are you not effective at addressing conflict? Are you too
nice/sympathetic to staff? Do you prefer to work on your own? Are you so task driven that you forget about
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 understanding/rewarding other staff?) Make reference to evaluations you have read about as well as your own evaluation.
4. Critically discuss in what situations this style might be the most effective and why think about actual workplace situations in
which this style might work particularly well, use those as examples and explain why your style would work well in those
situations. So, for example, would you be good at leading project teams at work because you are a good team player and
make everyone feel like they are involved, appreciated and can contribute to the team? Are you a visionary/charismatic leader
who would be good in entrepreneurial organisations because you have ability to stand out and encourage others to follow your
lead? Are you a change agent who is good at transforming organisations through change processes, with clear listening skills,
networking skills and ability to work across boundaries to engage lots of different types of staff to get on board with the change?
What should we write about for Part 1? the theories or the questionnaires or both? Should I evaluate the theories for
this part 1 assignment?
It is your leadership style that needs to be evaluated. It is not an academic essay focusing purely on comparing and contrasting
the theoretical models. Through the evaluation of your leadership style, the marker will be able to establish if you have understood
the theoretical aspects of the leadership style and can apply them to your own leadership practice.
What does Part 2 really ask us to do?
You have been recruited as a management consultant to analyse the current situation regarding leadership in a dynamic internet business called
GeoAnalysis Ltd. The CEO needs better ways of leading this business and wants you to make recommendations. Read through the case study and identify
the various leadership issues with the Board members. Critically analyse the issues you have identified, making reference to academic models and research.
Clearly state your recommendations for resolving these issues.
1. Read the case study through several times and keep taking notes about what stands out to you.
2. Identify what the leadership issues are.
3. Think about what theories/leadership approaches/leadership skills these issues relate to this is where you begin to link theory
with practice in the case study.
4. Consider what this means what impact will these issues have on the company and the other board members?
5. Clearly state your recommendations for resolving the issues you identified. As you are providing recommendations, you do not
need a summary.
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What does Part 3 really ask us to do?
Given your own leadership style identified in Part 1 of this assignment, if you were brought in to lead the team described in the case study (Part 2 of the
assignment) how would you adapt your leadership style and why?
1. Go back to part 1 of the assignment and take time to review what you wrote at that point and what your leadership style is.
2. Summarise this preferred leadership style at the start of your answer here (you can cross reference back to part 1, so please
do not just repeat everything as you will use up your short word count in a repetitive way).
3. State clearly how you, in the context of your leadership style, would lead this team.
4. Identify how you might need to adapt or change your leadership style to lead this team. There may be instances where you
would state that you would find it very challenging with your current leadership style and therefore would need to adapt or
learn new skills to address the leadership of the team. Be open about this no leaders are perfect or immune to learning or
development.
5. Provide a short summary at the end of this part.
Should I write in the first person I or the third person the authorthis report found that.?
Part 1: first person I
Part 2: third person the author/ this section
Part 3: first person I
Do we have the +/- 10% added on to the word count?
Yes, this is a normal part of the BU procedures. Apologies that this was not made clear.
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How does this assignment fit with the rest of the unit beyond the leadership styles done in the first few weeks? (..or
why should we attend the rest of the lectures and seminars for this unit?)
This assignment is not purely about leadership styles. Any students who think this and choose not to attend the lectures and
seminars are limiting their ability to complete the assignment to a good standard as they are missing core unit content, and are also
limiting their learning as the skills and examples we are discussing at lectures and seminars throughout this unit will be used by all
students in their future careers. This unit gives you a heads up on what you need to know for the future when you are in work and
through sharing current best practice you will be able to accelerate your own understanding of the origination that you join
For example
Think about part 2 of the assignment.might you need to know about organizational culture to consider the case study content
and context? Might you need to know about emotional intelligence to understand some of the staff in the case study?
Also think about part 3 of the assignment.might you need to know about coaching as part of the solutions/recommendations
made? Might you want to consider team working approaches to support development of the senior team? Might you need to know
about toxic leadership to understand the impact of bad leadership styles on others?
Students that are aiming for a first will be able to make links between various aspects of the unit content and the whole
assignment as well as demonstrating the depth of reading and research that has been done to support this.
We will stop posting the videos of the lectures to MyBU and will only make these available to the online students as
originally planned. Only in exceptional circumstances will these be shared with on-campus students.
Assignment layout:
BU Cover page we will post this on MyBU before Christmas for you all.
No introductory section or exec summary.
Content page optional (not included in word count).
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 Part 1: short introduction to what is covered in this part, then straight into your answer to this part of the assignment. Short
summary at the end of this part.
Part 2: short introduction to what is covered in this part, then straight into your answer to this part of the assignment. Short
summary at the end of this part.
Part 3: short introduction to what is covered in this part, then straight into your answer to this part of the assignment.
Recommendations are the last section of this part, so no summary needed.
Reference list at end of document (mandatory, but not included in word count).
Completed questionnaires in appendices.
Critically evaluate and critically discuss what does this mean?
As discussed at the lecture this week we defined these as :
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Marking criteria:
Part 1: It is two models, not three. All students were told this in the first week.
Part 1: Why does it mention understanding of theory and models if we do not have to evaluate them directly? - If you do what
we are suggesting above in our advice, the marker will be able to see clearly that you have a clear understanding of the theory.
What you are doing in Part 1 is applying your understanding of the theory to your own leadership style to do this effectively,
you must have a clear understanding of the theoretical background to the chosen models/theory.
Part 2: why does it mention methodology, research and data collection? What we need you to do in Part 2 is to look at the
case study as a piece of data and analyse it in order to be able to understand the key issues and make recommendations. We
apologise for the use of complex terminology in our marking criteria, so here is what we mean in clear wording to help you
prepare for part 2 this does not change what we have already told you, but does make things clearer for you.
Criterion Excellent Good Satisfactory Adequate Poor
70% & above 60-69% 50-59% 40-49% 39% and Lower
Part 2 (50%) Significant up-to-date Shows detailed referencing Some referencing of sources Shows little evidence of No evidence of appropriate
Identifying the sources have been in an acceptable style and a and a short reference list. further reading of secondary analysis. Unsubstantiated
various leadership effectively explored in the properly formatted and Shows some evidence of materials. Poor referencing opinions. Shows no
issues with the context of the case study substantial reference list. further reading of secondary of sources and an evidence of the reading of
Board members analysis. Conceptual Presents clear evidence of materials, but often in the inadequate reference list. the source materials. No
and critically understanding is highly in-depth reading, showing form of a general review of Citations, if present, are referencing of sources and a
analysing the developed. Citation and an understanding of literature/theory/models. mainly verbatim quotations complete absence of
resolution of these. references are of the sources, and good Some synthesis of material without acknowledgement of reference list. Little or no
Making Reference highest standard. Shows awareness of connections relevant to the case study the sources and little effort awareness of the key issues
to academic clear evidence of in-depth between the case study and directly with room for directed to critical analysis contained in the case study.
Research and reading, demonstrating the relevant improvement in the critical or synthesising the links Very little or no links made
Models. excellent critical analysis of theory/models/literature. analysis. between the theoretical between the case study and
sources, and appreciation models and the context of the relevant
2500 Words of the links between the the case study. Citations literature/theory/models.
nature of the case study poorly or inconsistently Takes a descriptive
(actual presented. approach either quoting
practice/actions/behaviours the literature/models and/or
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 in the case study) and quoting the case study
relevant factually.
literature/theory/models.
Do you assume that the reader has no knowledge or all knowledge?
For the purposes of this assignment, you can assume that the marker has some knowledge about the models and the
questionnaires. This will allow you to be more critical and discursive rather than describing all the models/questionnaires in great
detail (A descriptive approach will not get you many marks at Level H/6).
LinkedIn and MyBU? Whats going on?
We post all key messages and content to MyBU. LinkedIn is an added value source which Lois and Sarah post to regularly they
post ideas, articles and news that will enhance your learning it is a value added. LinkedIn is optional but as we said in the first
lecture it is a very useful free place to have a profile as those advertising jobs often use LinkedIn or will check your profile when
considering you for a role. It is a more informal environment and is a private group for this Unit. You will be able to connect with the
guest speakers to keep in touch with their postings as well. Ultimately its your choice whether to sign up, but our advice is to take
advantage of the networking. By having an up to date LinkedIn profile you will have more opportunities for HR Departments to
consider you for new opportunities.
Will the markers be consistent?
All markers (Sara, Osi and Lois) are familiar with the marking criteria and go through a process of discussing the marking criteria
together prior to starting the marking process. Then the marking team calibrate marking standards through second marking
random papers across all grades and moderation across grades and markers. This process happens before final marks are
agreed and submitted.
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