BU8642

LEADERSHIP IN THE 21st CENTURY

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This course begins in week 1 of semester. The learning opportunities and their
assessments and team projects begin from weeks 1 & 2 and continue throughout the 13
weeks of semester. If you are serious about getting the most out of this course, you should
be prepared to participate actively in all seminars from week 1 to week 13.

Course Description and Scope

“Leadership for real”

Leadership is a hot topic in corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organisations. There
are many publications about leadership in university textbooks and the popular press. There are also
many leadership and management development programs offered within and outside of university
settings.
But what do leaders really do in the world of work?
What do YOU need to do in order to become a really effective leader?

This course is for students who hope to become managers, leaders, or consultants in workplaces
anywhere in the world.

The course covers some important research and case-based principles for leadership in the real
world, with an emphasis on both “eastern” and “western” approaches to leadership. You will learn
practical skills and techniques for networking, teamworking, managing and leading people at work
(including goal-setting, delegating work, running staff meetings, coaching employees, and so on).
You will also learn about your own leadership style, strengths and weaknesses, and how to develop
your leadership knowledge and skills throughout your careers.

Course Learning Objectives

To:
1. gain an understanding of various concepts of leadership, such that students can explain and
apply the concepts briefly in writing (as they may be required to do in organisational reports).
2. develop shared leadership and other teamwork skills through a coursework project of the
students’ choosing.
3. learn how to reflect on one’s own leadership and teamwork contributions in order to become a
more effective leader.

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Course Assessments

Components Marks Individual/Group

1. “The Leadership Concepts Challenge” (LCC). This is a short answer take- 40 Individual
home test to be completed in the weekend prior to the last seminar.
The LCC will comprise four questions about leadership concepts, which
come from a larger bank of questions that are given out early in semester.
There is a 2,500 absolute word limit for the LCC answer document.
Students may use any material on leadership to assist them in the LCC.
Ideally, such material is prepared throughout semester during self-directed
learning about leadership concepts. Students are encouraged to help each
other in the research of the concepts and preparation of their answers.
Please note that final answers are to be students’ own words.

2. Peer assessments of the skills demonstrated in a team leadership 30 Group project*,

project. Team members will do peer assessments at two points in the (10+20) but Individual
team’s project: a) mid-project assessment in week 7 (worth 10%), and b) Assessment
end-of-project assessment in week 12 (worth 20%).
3. Self-reflection assignments. Students will reflect on their team’s project 30 Individual
and their own demonstration and development of leadership skills.
(10+20)
Students will submit two individual assignments:

1) d i k7( th 10%) d 2) d i k 12 ( th 20%)

Total 100

* Teams of 4-5 students will be assigned by the instructor.

Each team will choose its own 10-week project from a list presented and discussed in seminar 2.
Teams will negotiate the scope of their project with the instructor by the end of seminar 3, so that
project outcomes are clearly identified. Projects should be completed by week 12.

Textbook

Dennis, D.J. (2009). Preparing for Leadership: What it Takes to Take the Lead. New York:
American Management Association.
Library Call no. HD57.7 .D411P Business Library, Reserves (N2-B2b-07)
{This book is also available on-line as an e-book through the NTU library website}
Note: This is a workbook as much as a textbook, so please bring it to class every week.

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Proposed Weekly Schedule

Week Topic
1 Introduction – What is leadership? Why is it important?
Transformational leadership for the 21st Century
2 Authentic leadership: What’s my life story?
3 Shared leadership and working in a team
Setting goals and delegating work
4 Making an impression: Networking and connecting to people
5 Building power and influence
Communication pitfalls for leaders to avoid
6 How to handle organizational politics
Emotions, emotional intelligence and social intelligence
7 How to decide? Conducting meetings and making decisions
Mid-project peer assessment due
Self-reflection assignment 1 due
Recess week
8 e-learning activity on edveNTUre
Managing and leading people who are different to me, including age and cross-cultural
diversity
9 How to motivate people, even if they are challenging to manage
10 Dealing with people one-one: Advising and coaching people
11 How do I get professional employees to be committed?
The pressure on professionals
12 Developing my leadership capabilities further
End-project peer assessment due
Self-reflection assignment 2 due
“The Leadership Concepts Challenge” : take home test
13 Review of the LCC Questions

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