6-page essay
Final Paper
The Final Paper is the Critical Assignment for this course and must be passed at an acceptable rate in order to pass the course.
The purpose of this assignment is for the student to develop skill in applying multiple leadership models and theories to practice, and specifically to change initiatives. Using a real case at a business, select organization, or educational institution with which they are highly familiar, students will compare and contrast potential applications of multiple models and theories to the case, and then provide a final synthesis drawing upon both their analysis of the theory and reflection on their own experience and practice as a leader.
Final Paper – (6-7 pages plus cover and references) Upload into Blackboard.
In the final paper, each student should:
1) Clearly define the purpose of the paper including a brief description of the institution and the problem that she/he will analyze.
2) Provide a thoughtful initial analysis of the problem and proposed solution strategies utilizing various models and theories studied during the course.
3) Effectively critique her/his initial analysis and proposed solution strategies drawing upon multiple additional theories from at least three additional schools of organizational thought.
4) Propose a thoughtful and specific solution strategy reflecting a synthesis of multiple theories with personal reflection on their own experience as a leader.
5) Support all analyses with content from the organizational theory literature studied.
6) Write well.
The Grading Rubric has been posted below for reference.
| Levels of Achievement | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Exemplary | Accomplished | Developing | Beginning |
| Purpose -Description of the Institution -Problem | 20 Points
Excellent definition of purpose, description of the institution and problem to be analyzed are correct and contain no errors |
15 Points
Good definition of purpose, description of the institution and problem to be analyzed; description may contain a minor error. |
10 Points
Fair definition of purpose, description of the institution and problem to be analyzed; may contain several minor errors |
5 Points
Weak definition of purpose, description of the institution and problem to be analyzed; contains major error(s) and/or several minor errors or one or more of the following are not addressed: purpose, description of the institution and problem to be analyzed. |
| Problem Analysis | 20 Points
Excellent analysis of problem using various (5 or more?) models and theories studied. Analysis is supported by theory and contains no errors. |
15 Points
Good analysis of problem using various models (3-4?)and theories studied. Analysis is supported by theory but may contain minor errors. |
10 Points
Fair analysis of problem using several (2-3) models and theories studied. Analysis of the problem contains several minor errors or a major error. |
5 Points
Weak analysis of problem. Paper attempts to use models and theories studied either incorrectly or does not attempt to analyze the problem with theory. |
| Solution Strategies | 20 Points
Excellent proposed solution strategy reflecting a synthesis of multiple theories (5 or more)with personal reflections. Paper contains no strategic errors and is supported by theory and practice. |
15 Points
Good proposed solution strategy reflecting a synthesis of multiple theories (3-4) with personal reflections. Paper main contain a minor error in strategy or in the connection of theory to practice. |
10 Points
Fair proposed solution strategy reflecting a synthesis of theories (1-2) with personal reflections. Paper contains several minor errors or a major error in strategy; or in the connection of theory to practice. |
5 Points
Weak proposed solution strategy reflecting little or no attempt to synthesize multiple theories with personal reflections. Paper either does not attempt to propose a solution or makes more than one major error and/ or more than 5 minor errors. |
| Support of Analysis | 20 Points
Excellent support of all analyses with content from the organizational theory literature studied. Paper illustrates a professional level of understanding of organizational theory and makes no errors in referencing or application. |
15 Points
Good support of all analyses with content from the organizational theory literature studied. Paper illustrates a near-professional level of understanding of organizational theory but may contain a minor error in referencing or application. |
10 Points
Fair support of all analyses with content from the organizational theory literature studied. Paper illustrates an introductory level of understanding of organizational theory but may contain several minor errors in referencing or application a major error. |
5 Points
Weak support of all analyses with content from the organizational theory literature studied. Paper illustrates a below-basic level understanding of organizational theory and contain many minor errors (4 or more) in referencing and/or application major errors; or the support of analysis does not exist. |
| Quality of Writing, Referencing & Formatting | 20 Points
Paper contains all of the following: 1)Is APA Formatted with no errors 2)Contains 7 or more references 3)Contains no grammatical errors |
15 Points
Paper contains all of the following: 1)Is APA Formatted with minor errors (1-2) 2)Contains 5 or more references 3)Contains 1-2 grammatical errors |
10 Points
Paper contains all of the following: 1)Is APA Formatted with several errors 2)Contains 3 or more references 3)Contains many grammatical errors. |
5 Points
Paper contains all of the following: 1)Is APA Formatted with many errors 2)Contains no references 3)Contains many grammatical errors. |
Solution Preview
Leadership Theories
Introduction
Leadership is a well sort after phenomenon. In our current world, almost everyone aspires to be a leader and indeed they are leaders on different levels for instance leaders of their life, leaders of their peers as well as leader of the state. Leadership can thus be illustrated when a certain group of people converge under a common motivating power towards hitting a common goal. For instance, in a company, it would mean directing the workers towards meeting the company’s needs using the correct strategies. In order for leadership to be effective, developmental ideas must be followed effectively and the leader should be very efficient.
(1,753 words)