Saint MBA595 all discussions

MBA595 discussions

Module 1

Module 1 Discussion

Based on your readings of Chapters 1-3, discuss your philosophy regarding how a leader should behave. Second, list two of your favorite leaders (either those in the public eye or whom you might know personally), and describe how they embody the Saint Leo Core Value of Excellence.

Module 2

Module 2 Discussion

Have you ever seen (or been involved in) a situation in which a participative approach to leadership has gone bad? What were the conditions of this situation and why did you feel that it went bad? What should the leader have done differently? Are there any warnings in your text or other readings where they mention that this type of problem might occur with a participative approach?

Module 3

M3 Discussion

What are the characteristics of leaders who derailed (failed to perform successfully) and were either dismissed, transferred, opted for early retirement, or simply plateaued with no chance for promotion (according to the Center for Creative Leadership studies, 1983, 1985, 1995)? How do you think your co-workers view you in regard to these characteristics? Be honest in your self-assessment.

Module 4

Module 4 Discussion

What are the key similarities and differences of charismatic and transformational leadership? What do you think are the impacts on followers of each?

Module 5

Module 5 Discussion

Choose one of the following contingency theories:

• House’s Path Goal Theory (1971)
• Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Theory (1977)
• Kerr and Jermier’s Leadership Substitute Ideas (1978)
• Yukl’s Multiple-Linkage Model (1989)
• Fiedler and Garcia’s Cognitive Resource Theory (1987)

Discuss what is known about the theory from a research perspective. Do we know whether the ideas work or not? Are there any practical "strategic" recommendations for leaders based on that theory? Be sure to cite your sources using APA style.

Module 6

Module 6 Discussion

Have you ever been on a cross-functional team in which the members were at odds with each other? What types of problems can members have? What are some of the ways that leaders can help to work out these difficulties?

Module 7

Module 7 Discussion

Based on your reading of the article "Leading Change" by John Kotter (1995), discuss three ideas, suggestions, or sections of the article that you found interesting. For example, in Error 1, Kotter argues that it is extremely difficult to get people to change because it means they must move out of their comfortable routines and into the unknown. Leaders often fail to create a great enough sense of urgency around the change to make people want to do things differently. If your organization has gone through a change recently, then you might want to discuss whether or not a “sense of urgency” was established. What was the response? Feel free to use Chapter 4 of your text to supplement your points.

Module 8

Module 8 Discussion

So what should you look like as a leader? Your textbook lists a number of factors that comprise the "essence of effective leadership" (Yukl, 2013, P. 421). Briefly discuss what these mean and rate how well you perform in regard to each factor.