1. CRT 301

2. Exploring leadership concepts, methods and strategy What is leadership? Related literature and emerging theories (highlights) Organizational theory and management Leadership theory and changing perspectives Identifying and analyzing challenges in our workplaces Clearly defining problems and finding solutions Final project description and discussion

3. What is Leadership? How do you define it? What does “good leadership” look like? Will we know it when we see it? How does it work when it works well? Can we understand it actively? How do we address challenges effectively?

4. Reframing Organizations (Bolman and Deal, 2003) “The Four Frames” of organizational analysis (and leadership) Structural – the rational management-focused tradition Human Resources – employee needs and motivations Political – power, leverage, negotiation and influence Cultural / Symbolic – ritual, ceremony, values and intangibles

5. Organizational Culture and Leadership (Schein, 2004) Described as “two sides of the same coin” Leadership as “culture work” Balancing internal integration and external adaptation The Fifth Discipline (Senge, 1990) A “systems thinking” perspective for learning organizations

6. Servant Leadership (Greenleaf, 1977) The leader as servant – a “first among equals” Leadership for the 21 st Century (Rost, 1991) Postindustrial paradigm shifts; ethics and excellence

7. Leadership Without Easy Answers (Heifetz, 1994) Leadership as “adaptive work” Leading with and without authority Personal dimensions (our values, beliefs and behavior) Leadership and the New Science (Wheatley, 1999) Complexity and chaos: a relational perspective

8. Reflect on your own work experiences recently: What leadership challenges does your organization face? What key factors, forces and elements influence outcomes? Are the challenges clear, or do they elude key personnel? What do you think are the most important leadership challenges in your organization, based on experience? Consider how these challenges are viewed differently. Can varying and/or opposing views be reconciled? If you were asked to report on this, what would you say? What do you think a consultant might say?

9. An independent consulting firm contracted by your organization has asked you to answer this question: What is the most important leadership challenge here? You are among a sampling of personnel who have been asked to give reports to consultants for the purpose of cooperatively informing meaningful strategies to improve workplace conditions, general operations and overall effectiveness in your organization.

10. Consider your existing knowledge of the situation: What is your initial response to this “challenge” question? What is a complex problem that you feel is worth examining? What are your own assumptions, biases and predispositions? How does your participant observer role impact the picture? What differing views exist, and what assumptions apply? How does the analysis of others’ views reveal more context? What additional information would be worth pursuing? What information can be gained from within the situation? What information can be gained from outside the situation?

11. Using this scenario, complete the following tasks: Construct a professional research report that includes: A problem statement addressing the consultants’ question A summary of background, history and relevant context An explanation of methodology and research conducted A summary of findings based on your investigation Please Note: These steps will be a part of weekly assignments We will use a wiki for completing project related tasks This scenario can be adapted to suit your unique interests