Leadership Challenge: Application of Theory to Leadership Practice
600 Week 5 Assignment and Rubric
Length: Paper: 6 – 8 double-spaced pages (excluding title and references pages)
Due: Week 5 by Sunday Midnight
Value: 230 Points for 23% of the grade
Post: Week 5 Assignments
Classical and contemporary leadership theories offer leaders a “toolbox” of approaches and solutions that can enhance their leadership effectiveness in addressing organizational issues. In this assignment, you will analyze the value of different leadership approaches in resolving a real-world issue. In essence, your leadership challenge is a case study in which you will assess the effectiveness and impact of applying three different leadership theories or models.
Leadership Challenge Paper Guidelines
Prepare and submit 6 – 8 page paper that briefly describes the situation, defines and applies three leadership theories to the situation, and reflects on insights gained. A well-constructed paper will reference 4 or more scholarly sources including 3 journal articles such as those assigned and retrieved from Brandman’s virtual library, and adhere to APA standards.
Situation Description
In no more than one page, describe the leadership challenge which may be an organizational problem, a new initiative, and/or opportunity. In the description, position yourself as the leader, and identify areas of concern, key players (names optional), and your goal(s) in addressing the challenge. The leadership challenge described should be consistent with the one approved by the instructor in week 2, and used in the discussion board in weeks 2 – 4.
Leadership Theories and Models
Select three (3) of the following classic leadership theories or models: Leadership Grid, Situational Leadership, Path-Goal, and/or Leader-Member Exchange that are most relevant to your leadership challenge. Define and describe the components of the selected theories using four (4) or more scholarly sources including three (3) journal articles.
Application of Theories and Models
Analyze your leadership challenge through the lens of each selected leadership theory providing explicit and direct links to the components of the theory or model as they relate to the situation. Based on your analysis, draw valid conclusions on the impact and value of each theory in addressing your challenge.
Reflective Analysis
In 2 – 3 pages, reflect on your effectiveness as the leader in this challenge, discussing three (3) specific insights you learned about leadership from this assignment, and identifying one specific action you will take to enhance your leadership practice. In your reflection, describe what surprised you, the effectiveness of the classic leadership theories in addressing your challenge, and how your thinking and/or behavior changed.
Evaluation Criteria: Grading Rubric
Criteria Exemplary Proficient Developing Emerging
Situation Description 20 – 19
Clearly and concisely describes the leadership challenge. Positions self as leader. Identifies key items of concern and key players. Does not exceed 1 page 18 – 17
Clearly describes the leadership challenge. Positions self as leader. Identifies most key items of concern and key players. May slightly exceed 1 page 16 – 15
Description of the leadership challenge is incomplete and/or confusing. Positions self as leader but may not identify key concerns and/or key players. 14 – 0
Limited if any description of the leadership challenge. May not position self as leader, identify key concerns and/or key players.
Major Theories
Leadership Grid
Situational Leadership
Path-Goal
LMX 55 – 50
In-depth and accurate discussion of 3 major theories utilizing terminology associated with theories. Fully describes major components of the theories; references scholarly sources by the author(s) or originators of 3 theories 49 – 44
Accurately discusses 3 major theories but may not consistently use terminology associated with one theory. Describes most components of each theory; references scholarly sources by the author(s) or originators of 2 theories 43 – 38
Describes 2 – 3 major theories but may not use terminology associated with 1 – 2 theories. Describes some components of the theories. Acknowledges the author(s) of theories but relies heavily on secondary sources such as Northouse 37 – 0
Describes in general terms 0 – 2 major theories but does not use terminology associated with the theories. May rely solely on secondary sources such as Northouse; may not acknowledge author(s) of theories.
Theory Application 55 – 50
Fully applies 3 theories to leadership challenge. Provides explicit and direct links to all of the components of the theory as they relate to the situation. Draws valid conclusions of the impact of each theory on the situation. 49 – 44
Applies 3 theories to leadership challenge but may not consistently provide explicit links to the components of the theory as related to the situation.
Draws fairly valid conclusions of the impact of each theory on the situation. 43 – 38
Partially applies theories to leadership challenge but may not provide links to the components of the theory as related to the situation.
May not fully analyze the impact of each theory on the situation 37 – 0
Limited if any application of the theories to the leadership challenge. Does not link the components of the theory as related to the situation. Limited if any analysis of the impact of theory on the situation.
Reflective Analysis 50 – 45
Assesses leadership effectiveness clearly describing 3 or more specific insights into leadership gained and 1 specific action. Discusses surprises, effectiveness of classic theories, and how thinking and/or behavior changed. 44– 39
Discusses leadership effectiveness describing 2 – 3 insights into leadership gained and 1 fairly specific action. Considers surprises, value of classic theories, and how thinking and/or behavior changed. 38 – 33
Somewhat discusses leadership effectiveness describing 1 – 2 general insights into leadership gained and 1 general action. May include surprises, value of classic theories, and/or how thinking and/or behavior changed. 32 – 0
Limited if any reflection on leadership effectiveness, surprises, value of theories or changes in thinking or behavior; may Identify but not discuss 0 – 2 insights and/or action.
APA and Sources 20 – 19
Cites 4 or more scholarly sources including 3 journal articles. Accurately uses headers and adhere to APA standards; reference page and citations are correct. All sources listed in References are cited in paper
18 -17
Cites 3 scholarly sources including 2 journal articles. . Uses headers and adheres to APA standards; reference page and citations are correct with minor (1-3) errors. All sources listed in References are cited in paper
16 – 15
Cites 2 – 3 scholarly sources including 1 journal article. May use headers and somewhat adheres to APA standards; the work of others is cited but with numerous (4 – 10) errors. Sources listed in References and citations may not match 14 – 0
Cites 0 – 2 scholarly sources. Limited adherence to APA standards in the paper and Reference page; work of others may be cited but with multiple (11+) errors. Sources listed in References and citations do not match
Writing Mechanics 30 – 27
The paper is logical and well-written; spelling, grammar and punctuation are accurate. Paper is the required length of 6 – 8 pages of content, and includes correctly prepared title page. 26 – 23
The paper is logical and well-written but with minor (1 – 3) errors in spelling, grammar and/or punctuation. The content may be 5% too long or short; includes a correctly prepared title page. 22 – 19
The paper is somewhat logical and well-written but with several (4 – 10) errors in spelling, grammar and/or punctuation. The content may be 10% too long or short, and may not include a correctly prepared title page 18 – 0
The paper lacks clarity and may be confusing with numerous (11+) errors in spelling, grammar and/or punctuation. The content may be 15% too long or short, and may not include a title page
