PSYC 840 Leadership and Development

The purpose of this course is to examine theories and research in leadership, leadership styles, roles, and functions of leaders of organizations. Leadership development is also explored, as well as issues facing contemporary leaders.

This course covers the many facets of leadership and leadership development, specifically for PhD students. It includes application of leadership principles as well as scholarly writing and presentation. It is designed to educate and equip the student for a leadership role.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (6)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided topic for each discussion. Discussion threads that answer the question(s) presented must be at least 400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the main thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words.

Types of Leadership Assignment

Research types of leadership to include coach-style, situational/contingency, transactional, transformational, charismatic, and any others you find of interest. Create a chart of your own design to demonstrate the major themes of each as well as perceived effectiveness. This section should be roughly one page. On the second page of your assignment, complete an honest assessment of yourself as your leadership style relates to the myths and challenges presented by Maxwell (2011). Ask yourself what myths you have believed about yourself and what challenges you believe you face. This section should be roughly two pages. (CLOs: A, B)

Leadership Scenario Assignment

You have recently been promoted to Director of Counselor Supervision. You now oversee a team of Counselor Supervisors for a large behavioral health entity that employs numerous counselors for a multitude of services, including inpatient and outpatient care, psychiatry services, and individual, family, and group therapy. You were considered one of the best in your former position as a Counselor Supervisor, but now you are struggling to lead the team of eight counselor supervisors. You are overworked and feel you need more respect in your position.

Address this scenario you face in a 7-8-page APA paper, focusing on the following specifics:

1.     Reflect on the type of leader who is the most motivating or unity-building and determine how you grow as this type of leader.

2.     What assessments could you take to determine your own strengths and needs. Which ones might help you understand the team you are supervising?

3.     How can you relate your situation and your future choices to those of a Biblical leader? (CLOs: B, C, D, E, F)

Biblical Leadership Narrated PowerPoint Assignment

In this oral presentation, you will create a 5-10 minute, 12-16 slide presentation to analyze and synthesize the following information:

• Your assigned reading from Maxwell (2011).
• The impact, good or bad, of a Biblical leader
• How do I and II affect and inform your research?
• How do I and II affect and inform how you lead?

In all research-based writing and communication, you are making a well-evidenced case or argument. Be certain to cite your claims throughout the presentation to ensure the “weight” of your claims. Design the presentation in a professional manner, providing charts, graphs, art, etc. where applicable. (CLOs: A, C, F)

Conflict Scenario Assignment

In this second scenario assignment, you are going to create your own scenario with the overarching theme of “conflict.” You might choose a scenario like those previously mentioned in Heimann (2020) about corporate reorganization or pitching a project as a team lead (perhaps to an unwilling team?). It could pertain to a moral failure in church leadership. It could be an organization’s response to a cultural movement. It could even be a scenario you have personally experienced. Once you’ve decided on your scenario, utilize Lencioni (2012) and additional research so you can discover how to best address and resolve the conflict. Pitch this plan to a leader you know and get feedback. This assignment will be 6-8 pages. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E)

Utilizing Teams Assignment

Using what you know from your reading and the videos on the Working Genius as well as outside research, develop a 2-3-page plan to assist in balancing the team you lead. You can do this literally or hypothetically. In doing so, consider the following:

1. What is the organization’s focus? Goals?
2. Describe the leader’s (i.e., your) strengths and weaknesses.
3. Do all team members hold the same job title, or is there a variety? Be specific.
4. What construct would you use to identify team member strengths and weakness?
5. How would you utilize this information?
6. What kind of feedback might you seek before implementing the plan?
7. What result do you expect to get from this plan?
8. How would you follow-up and reassess for effectiveness?

Leadership Development Plan Assignment

You are going to create a 13-15-page leadership development plan for a leader or a person who wants to be a leader. The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to gather useful tools and research to maximize potential in others. Aside from stringent guidelines given below, you have some autonomy in how you create the development plan. Visuals, charts, or graphs are a bonus as well as any assessment results you can provide. There are many available tools online to give you examples of what might be included in a plan though we all might approach this differently with our giftings. You might devote a section to cognitive or behavioral strengths and needs of the person based on the Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, etc. It must include a section of how you utilized your own Biblical worldview to develop the person. (CLOs: A, C, D, E)