Topic outline

  • Course Introduction

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    Nothing in organizations can be accomplished without leadership. Even companies with the best products and services must have strong leaders to help their organization become successful. Throughout your program thus far, you've learned the many concepts required for a business to be successful. This course will address applying leadership principles to the concepts you've studied throughout your program. Leadership is not the management of day-to-day tasks but instead is focused on higher-level skills that can help employees and the organization succeed. This course will focus on the basics of leadership, from leadership theories to the skills leaders must possess to give context to the meaning of leadership. The second half of the course will focus on how you can self-assess your leadership skills and plan actions you can take now to ensure you are the best leader possible.

  • Unit 1: What is Leadership?

    Leadership means many different things to different people. Learning about leadership can help us achieve business success and personal success, too. This unit will address the traits and behaviors of leaders and provide the background in leadership you will need to successfully complete this course.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 6 hours.

    • Unit 1 Introduction Video Page
      Students must
      View

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • explain the difference between management and leadership;
      • explain the difference between the behavioral and trait theories of leadership; and
      • choose the best leadership or decision-making theory to apply to a given situation.

    • 1.1: The Difference between Management and Leadership

      • The Role of a Manager Book
        Students must
        Mark as done

        This resource focuses on the job of a manager. As you read, think of the skills needed to manage versus the skills needed to lead. How are they the same? How are they different?

      • The Role of a Leader Page
        Students must
        Mark as done

        Do you know the difference between management and leadership? Managers focus on planning, organizing, and controlling, and leaders, while they may do these tasks, will apply their interpersonal skills to make those tasks happen.

      • Management vs. Leadership Book
        Students must
        Mark as done

        There is a big difference between management and leadership. Read this resource and think about the best leader you've ever had. How did they manage the four management roles, including leadership, in your organization? What did they do well? What could have been improved?

    • 1.2: The Evolution and Nature of Leadership in Organizations

      • Where Do Management and Leadership Come From? Book
        Students must
        Mark as done

        A lot has changed in how organizations look at the role of leadership in the last 100 years. Review this resource and consider what the future of leadership might be, given the technological and social changes happening in society.

      • Management to Leadership Page
        Students must
        Mark as done

        This video addresses the evolution of management into leadership based on organizational needs. As you watch, consider the value of leadership and management combined to meet business goals.

    • 1.3: Leadership Traits

      • What Traits Make a Leader? Page
        Students must
        Mark as done

        There is lots of research addressing what traits make a good leader. As you read through this resource, determine what traits you possess and which ones you'd like to work on.

      • Checklist of Leadership Traits Page
        Students must
        Mark as done

        Read through this list of leadership traits. Which ones do you think you already possess, and which would you like to work on? For example, do you have self-efficacy (the belief in your capabilities)? How do you think this trait can help you as a leader? As you review, consider specific strategies you can implement to develop traits that may be lacking.

    • 1.4: Leadership Behaviors

      • What Behaviors Make a Leader? Page
        Students must
        Mark as done

        Unlike the trait approach to leadership, the leadership behavior approach focuses on what leaders do to be effective. Besides what you see in this resource, are there other behaviors that make an effective leader?

      • Checklist of Leadership Behavior Page
        Students must
        Mark as done

        Read through this list of leadership behaviors. Can you identify the difference between leadership traits and leadership behaviors? Behaviors tend to be actions. Which behaviors do you believe you possess, and which ones would you like to work on?

    • 1.5: Leadership Theories, Styles, and Followership

      • A Situational Approach to Leadership Book
        Students must
        Mark as done

        Many theories define and attempt to explain leadership. Read about some of these theories in this resource. As you read, consider leaders you've had in the past. What approach did they tend to follow?

      • Servant Leadership Page
        Students must
        Mark as done

        Watch this short video on servant leadership. What element of servant leadership do you think gets the best results from the people in your organization? What skills might you hone to become a servant leader?

      • Classic Leadership Styles Page
        Students must
        Mark as done

        One of the traditional views of leadership theory includes three leadership styles: autocratic, laissez-faire, and democratic leadership. As you watch, consider the question: Do you think one method is best in all situations?

      • Authentic Leadership Book
        Students must
        Mark as done

        Authentic leadership is an approach that focuses on honest relationships between the leader and followers, where the leader allows honest input and feedback. This article addresses the concept of authentic leadership and how leaders may implement this style to be more productive.

      • What Is Followership? Book
        Students must
        Mark as done

        To become a good leader, people must be good followers. To be a good follower, you must be able to take direction, be a productive part of a team, and show a good work ethic to get things done. As you read through this resource, consider how being a good follower will make you a good leader.

      • Followership in Leadership Page
        Students must
        Mark as done

        You can develop leadership skills by honing your followership skills. This video addresses how to become an effective follower.

      • Real World Look: What Leadership Style Is This? Page
        Students must
        Mark as done

        As you read through this case, consider the leadership style used to gain organizational efficiencies. What leadership qualities and traits does the leader in the case exhibit that make him effective?

    • Unit 1 Study Resources

      This review video is an excellent way to review what you've learned so far and is presented by one of the professors who created the course.

    • Unit 1 Assessment

      • Unit 1 Assessment Quiz
        Students must
        Receive a grade
        Receive a passing grade

    • Unit 1 Practice Final Exam

      Take this practice exam to help you get ready for your final exam. This exam can be taken as many times as you like, and it will cover topics similar to the final exam.

      We recommend that you take a look at the practice final exam before proceeding to the final exam because you will only have three tries to pass the final exam with an 80% or above.

    • Unit 1 Final Exam

      This exam is part of the Saylor Degree Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

      The Unit 1 Final Exam requires a proctor and a proctoring fee of $5. Your grade for this exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again a maximum of 3 times, with a 30-day waiting period between each attempt.

      We are partnering with SmarterProctoring to help make the proctoring fee more affordable. We will be recording you, your screen, and the audio in your room during the exam. This is an automated proctoring service, but no decisions are automated; recordings are only viewed by our staff with the purpose of making sure it is you taking the exam and verifying any questions about exam integrity. We understand that there are challenges with learning at home - we won't invalidate your exam just because your child ran into the room!

      Requirements:

      1. Desktop Computer
      2. Chrome (v74+)
      3. Webcam + Microphone
      4. 1mbps+ Internet Connection

  • Unit 2: Skills and Abilities of Successful Leaders

    Leaders have different types of personalities and skills. This unit will address some common skills and abilities needed to be a successful leader in any organization. As you read through this unit, consider the other courses you've taken in your MBA program. Do you think the leadership skills needed for success are the same for any functional area of business you lead, or are they different?

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 12 hours.

    • Unit 2 Introduction Video Page
      Students must
      View

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • explain the role of leaders in creating and communicating a company's vision, culture, and goals;
      • motivate a team by applying the team development process;
      • use change management models to shepherd change in an organization;
      • explain how power and influence within organizational leadership can drive company success;
      • coach and motivate employees in regular times and in crises;
      • use innovation frameworks to encourage innovation in an organization; and
      • use continuous learning methods to foster an innovative, learning organizational culture.

      • 2.1: Create and Communicate Vision, Culture, and Goals

        • Leadership Communication Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Communication is one of the essential success factors for any manager or leader. As you read through this resource, consider what channels you might use, as a leader, to share information, such as the company vision, with your employees.

        • Create a Mission and Vision Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Do you remember the discussion in your Ethical and Strategic Management course about vision and mission and how they tie to the strategic plan? Since determining the vision and mission of an organization is an important part of leadership, consider how you can communicate these critical components to all in your organization.

        • Culture and Company Mission Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          The culture of any organization is created and nurtured by the leaders of an organization. There may be a difference in organizational culture if the leader takes an internal or external focus regarding company values. As you read, consider the competing values framework and what cultural values were promoted in the companies you've worked for.

        • Communication for an Effective Culture Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Remember when you addressed continuous improvement in your operations and supply chain management course? One way to continuous improvement is through communication. Review this case about Elon Musk and how he encourages employees to communicate effectively to gain continuous improvement in the organization.

      • 2.2: Develop Teams

        • What Is an Effective Team? Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          As a leader, it will be your responsibility to develop teams. In project management, this is especially important since you'll depend on your teams to accomplish the project goals. Read this resource on leadership, teams, and project management and consider the idea of "reliable promises" to create effective teams.

        • Building a Team Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Do you know how to build effective teams? No matter what functional area of business you wish to be in, whether operations or financial management, developing teams to produce the best work is a key attribute a leader possesses. As you read, consider how you might build a very effective, motivated team.

        • Team Development Process Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          This video discusses the team development process and the strategies you can apply as a leader to help the team develop, grow, and be productive. What phase do you think will be the most difficult as a leader?

        • Group and Individual Behaviors Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Have you considered how individual personalities and group dynamics affect the group? This resource will address leadership considerations when leading a group of people.

      • 2.3: Encourage and Shepherd Change

        • Change Implementation Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Remember in your Marketing Management course when you talked about customer relationship management? Read this case and see how one of the organization's leaders changed how his company did customer relationship management. How do you think he ensured his employees were on board with the change when he made this change?

        • Change Management Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Change can be difficult for many people. As you read this resource, consider how you, as a leader, can help motivate people to change.

      • 2.4: Apply Ethical Power and Influence

        • The Importance of Ethical Leadership Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          To have an ethical organization, it is necessary to be an ethical leader. This resource shows some personal characteristics leaders should exhibit in the workplace to contribute to an ethical organization.

        • Moral Leadership Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          To be ethical, leaders must have morals. Morals are developed throughout time, and leaders tend to apply their morals and ethics to leadership decisions. How are morals developed? This video explains the stages of moral development, which will help you understand how to create ethical workplaces.

        • Types of Power in an Organization Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Leaders use several types of power to get things done in their organization. As you read, recall knowledge from your Managing People course in this program to consider how you might effectively use power to motivate people. Also, consider how power at the individual and group levels can help us, as leaders, during management conflicts in our organization.

        • Ethical Leadership Choices Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Read this case about the banking industry and how companies and individuals made unethical (and illegal) choices. What role did the leadership have in these practices? As you read, consider what policies, procedures, and goals may have been in place to encourage such behavior within this organization.

      • 2.5: Succession Planning and Coaching

        • Developing Talent Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          One of the many roles of a leader is to coach and develop your employees. These behaviors allow you to ensure you have people ready to take on leadership roles as your organization grows. As you read, look at how leaders can help develop employees to meet business needs.

        • Coaching Employees Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Successful leaders know the importance of coaching their employees to help them meet personal and organizational goals. This video illustrates the various types of coaching that can help your employees succeed.

      • 2.6: Motivate Employees

        • Motivational Theories for Leaders Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          You probably remember discussing employee motivation in the managing people course. Consider how managers might motivate employees versus leaders as you read. Do you believe leaders will motivate based more on intrinsic or extrinsic rewards?

        • Influencing Performance Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          As a leader, motivating people is a big responsibility. There are many ways to motivate people, but is there one best way? As you read through this resource, consider the techniques leaders use to ensure they get the best out of their most important resource: their people.

        • Encouraging Positive Behavior Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          This short video shows some of the things leaders do that can encourage positive behavior from employees. As you watch, consider ways you are motivated in the workplace.

        • Motivating Employees in Retail Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          As you read this case on motivating retail employees, note what strategies worked and which ones didn't to motivate retail workers. What else could be done to motivate workers in retail and beyond as a leader in your organization?

      • 2.7: Create an Inclusive Culture

        • Why Inclusion and Diversity? Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Diversity is often discussed because it can help organizations develop creative ideas and innovative products and solve business problems. Read this chapter on diversity, and consider ways to encourage inclusion in your workplace.

        • Diversity Encouragement Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Creating an inclusive culture is about more than putting policies into place as a leader. Read this real-life approach Microsoft used to ensure diversity and make everyone feel heard and valued in the organization, regardless of background.

        • Multicultural Competence Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          This video addresses the dimensions of multicultural competence. Effective leaders have multicultural competence and use it to create company cultures that are inclusive and welcoming. As you watch this video, consider strategies leaders can implement to ensure a multicultural workplace.

        • Role of Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          This powerful video shows that diversity and inclusion are more than just a checklist. They are a desire and drive for leaders to ensure inclusion exists in their organizations. As you watch, consider the strategies, communication, and actions leaders take to get serious about inclusion and diversity.

      • 2.8: Innovate

        • Entrepreneurial Orientation Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          The Ethical and Strategic Management course taught you about entrepreneurial orientation from a manager's perspective. As you read through this resource, consider the application of leadership to also encourage your employees to be entrepreneurial and innovative in your organization.

        • Encourage Innovation Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Encouraging innovation in your organization is a lot like being an entrepreneur: both must focus on a process of innovation to continually encourage and develop new ideas in small to large organizations. As you review this resource, consider each innovation type and how it can contribute to a successful organization.

        • Foster Innovation Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Consider the learning you did in your Innovation and Sustainability course. How has the business leader focused on being innovative while creating sustainability in her business?

      • 2.9: Focus on Learning Agility and Continuous Learning

        • Build a Learning Organization Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Learning organizations tend to be more productive and profitable. But do you know how to create a learning organization? This video will address the components needed for a successful learning organization. As a leader, how can you create a company that focuses on continuous learning?

        • Lifelong Learning Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Leaders exhibit an interest in lifelong learning. Sometimes, the learning can be related to the business, but other times, lifelong learning involves new personal skills or developing new business skills. Development of these skills doesn't always happen in a classroom! The most successful leaders engage in continuous, lifelong learning and find different ways to learn new things. How can you implement lifelong learning as part of your skill set?

        • Focus on Continuous Learning Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Do you know what continuous learning means? This resource addresses the meaning of continuous learning and provides strategies to be a leader through continuous learning.

      • Unit 2 Study Resources

        This review video is an excellent way to review what you've learned so far and is presented by one of the professors who created the course.

      • Unit 2 Assessment

      • Unit 2 Practice Final Exam

        Take this practice exam to help you get ready for your final exam. This exam can be taken as many times as you like, and it will cover topics similar to the final exam.

        We recommend that you take a look at the practice final exam before proceeding to the final exam because you will only have three tries to pass the final exam with an 80% or above.

      • Unit 2 Final Exam

        This exam is part of the Saylor Degree Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

        The Unit 2 Final Exam requires a proctor and a proctoring fee of $5. Your grade for this exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again a maximum of 3 times, with a 30-day waiting period between each attempt.

        We are partnering with SmarterProctoring to help make the proctoring fee more affordable. We will be recording you, your screen, and the audio in your room during the exam. This is an automated proctoring service, but no decisions are automated; recordings are only viewed by our staff with the purpose of making sure it is you taking the exam and verifying any questions about exam integrity. We understand that there are challenges with learning at home - we won't invalidate your exam just because your child ran into the room!

        Requirements:

        1. Desktop Computer
        2. Chrome (v74+)
        3. Webcam + Microphone
        4. 1mbps+ Internet Connection

    • Unit 3: How to Handle Leadership Challenges

      Every leader has challenges they must handle. As you discussed in your Operations and Supply Chain Management course, some of these challenges are human resources related, while others are related to the business' operations. This unit will address some common challenges, no matter what area of business or industry you operate within. As you read through this unit, consider leadership challenges you've encountered or saw your leader encounter. How were they handled?

      Completing this unit should take you approximately 13 hours.

      • Unit 3 Introduction Video Page
        Students must
        View

      • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

        • resolve substantive and emotional conflicts within a team;
        • help teams overcome dysfunction by understanding individual personalities and motivation;
        • explain "the dark side of leadership" and how leaders avoid this phenomenon; and
        • address performance issues with employees through effective coaching and discipline processes.

      • 3.1: Acknowledging and Handling Conflict

        • Conflict in Organizations, Good or Bad Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Read about conflict in organizations and think of conflicts within your organization. Take notes on the criteria you use to decide whether the conflict is good or bad. How can you use this information to guide your actions as a leader? As you read, what benefits of conflict come to mind? When is conflict considered good or bad? Think of the results in the organization.

        • Conflict and Stress Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          This resource looks at the causes of conflict, the potential benefits of the conflict, and how leaders can assist in managing conflict. As you read, what benefits of conflict come to mind? Have you ever had a conflict that benefited you personally or your organization?

        • **Conflict and Negotiations Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          As you read this material, identify the different types of conflict and what causes them. Think about conflict in the workplace and the consequences that occur as a result. What are some factors that influence conflict in the workplace? Look at ways to manage conflict professionally. Next, review the negotiation process and how to avoid making common mistakes.

        • Types and Phases of Conflict Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Review the 3 "I's" of Conflict: Interaction, Interdependence, and Incompatible goals. Apply these concepts to a conflict scenario in the workplace that you read about or experienced. Then identify the reason conflict exists. What types of conflict occur in the workplace, and which style is suited for specific types of conflict?

        • Managing Conflict Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Conflict can have benefits and consequences. You read about consequences earlier. Now, look at both from a team perspective to see how conflict can often occur within teams. When planning a new project or initiative at work, think about the topics and concerns that arise from coworkers. This is an opportunity to sort out differences and grow. On the other hand, there are also negative consequences that impact productivity. How can you manage conflict when it occurs in an organization?

        • Basics of Negotiation Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Read about negotiations and learn how to avoid myths surrounding the negotiation process. Think about scenarios in the real world and at work when you have to negotiate. How do you prepare yourself for purchasing a car? What steps do you take before interacting with the dealership? As you read, what benefits of conflict come to mind? What are some myths about negotiation, and how can you prepare for the future?

        • Overcoming Conflict Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          This video shows various conflict resolution techniques you can use as a leader with your team. As you watch, consider which ones might be the most effective in various situations.

        • Determining Your Conflict Style Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Do you know how you tend to handle conflict? Take this quiz to find out. How might this information help you to become a better leader?

      • 3.2: Overcoming Team Dysfunction

        • Dysfunction and Power Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          This article addresses the different types of dysfunctions you may see in teams. Pay particular attention to the discussion on how power is dispersed in teams and how this can greatly affect how well the team functions.

        • Types of Team Dysfunctions Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          This short article addresses the five dysfunctions of a team. Of the five dysfunctions, which, as a leader, will be the most important to overcome? What are some strategies you can employ to overcome all of the dysfunctions?

        • Avoiding and Overcoming Dysfunctions Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          As you read this article on dysfunctional leadership and dysfunctional teams, consider the traits a leader should exhibit to avoid these dysfunctions.

      • 3.3: Avoiding the Dark Sides of Leadership

        • Destructive Leaders Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          When reviewing this article, consider the traits a destructive leader exhibits to stifle innovation in organizations. Have you ever experienced a destructive leader? How can you avoid being a destructive leader in your workplace?

        • Leadership Charisma Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          While charisma in leadership is normally characterized as positive, there is a dark side to charismatic leadership, especially when it comes to ethical decisions. In your Ethical and Strategic Management course, do you remember learning about the importance of leadership to ensure ethical goals are met? This article addresses some of the leadership characteristics that can create unethical workplaces.

        • Avoiding the Dark Side Page
          Students must
          Mark as done
          As you read this article, consider the three emerging themes about the dark side of leadership: the behaviors and traits of the leader and how those influence the followers.

      • 3.4: Managing Employee Performance

        • Performance Management Approaches Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Depending on the company's structure and leadership, challenges can present themselves. As you read this case on Zappos, consider how traditional leadership approaches to employee performance might have to change to meet today's business needs.

        • Feedback and Performance Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          As a leader, you are responsible for ensuring you get the most from your employees. While you can accomplish some of this by giving employees the freedom to succeed, giving employees feedback (other than just at performance review time) is a necessary skill. As you read, consider the other ways you may be able to manage employees' performance.

        • Performance Issues Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          You may have to handle many performance issues as a leader in your organization. The good news is that most performance issues can be resolved if addressed with the employee through honest discussion. The key is swift handling of any issues that you may experience. As you read, think about why some of these performance issues may happen and how, as a leader, you can identify them and have a conversation with your employee before they become more serious issues.

        • Leadership Challenges Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          As a leader, your responsibility will be to handle challenges in your business. As you read through this case on an Airline, consider what leadership challenges the CEO faced and how the leader could have implemented better practices to avoid these problems.

      • Unit 3 Study Resources

        This review video is an excellent way to review what you've learned so far and is presented by one of the professors who created the course.

      • Unit 3 Assessment

      • Unit 3 Practice Final Exam

        Take this practice exam to help you get ready for your final exam. This exam can be taken as many times as you like, and it will cover topics similar to the final exam.

        We recommend that you take a look at the practice final exam before proceeding to the final exam because you will only have three tries to pass the final exam with an 80% or above.

      • Unit 3 Final Exam

        This exam is part of the Saylor Degree Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

        The Unit 3 Final Exam requires a proctor and a proctoring fee of $5. Your grade for this exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again a maximum of 3 times, with a 30-day waiting period between each attempt.

        We are partnering with SmarterProctoring to help make the proctoring fee more affordable. We will be recording you, your screen, and the audio in your room during the exam. This is an automated proctoring service, but no decisions are automated; recordings are only viewed by our staff with the purpose of making sure it is you taking the exam and verifying any questions about exam integrity. We understand that there are challenges with learning at home - we won't invalidate your exam just because your child ran into the room!

        Requirements:

        1. Desktop Computer
        2. Chrome (v74+)
        3. Webcam + Microphone
        4. 1mbps+ Internet Connection

    • Unit 4: Developing Yourself as a Leader

      Now that you understand the skills and abilities a leader must have and address how to handle potential challenges, you must self-reflect on your leadership abilities. Are there areas you know you excel at? Are there areas you'd like to work on? This unit will give you the necessary tools to self-reflect on your leadership ability to help ensure success now and in the future.

      Completing this unit should take you approximately 24 hours.


      • Unit 4 Introduction Video Page
        Students must
        View

      • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

        • identify gaps between personality traits and leadership skills to develop leadership goals and plans;
        • assess your own emotional intelligence and create strategies to improve emotional intelligence skills;
        • compare and contrast models for effective decision-making and critical thinking skills;
        • evaluate personal and organizational goals using the SMART Goal model;
        • apply effective public speaking and communication skills;
        • develop effective negotiation skills, such as building rapport, to meet organizational and personal goals; and
        • apply networking and impression management skills, such as the use of social media, to enhance leadership abilities.

      • 4.1: Assessing Your Leadership Skills

        • What Leadership Skills Should You Develop? Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Take the self-tests in the resource to determine where you are currently with your leadership skills, such as your ability to persuade and political savvy. Consider the other traits and behaviors of leaders you've learned about in this course. Are there any gaps you wish to develop further?

        • What is SWOT Analysis? Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Read this article on organizational SWOT analysis. You're probably familiar with this, given the other courses you've taken in this program. But did you know you can perform a SWOT analysis on yourself? Once you finish reading this section, you'll develop a SWOT analysis of yourself, which can be the basis for a leadership development plan.

        • Create a SWOT Analysis Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Consider the leadership traits and behaviors discussed earlier in this course, and refer to that worksheet. Complete the SWOT analysis based on your personality and these checklists. Consider what traits you possess as strengths and which ones you'd like to improve. We'll be using this later to create your leadership development plan.

      • 4.2: Your Personality and Leadership

        • The JOHARI Window Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          The JOHARI Window can be a great way for you to assess your perspective of your personality and see what others may see about you. Complete this activity, as it will help you dig deeper into traits you possess that can help you become a great leader.

        • The Myers-Briggs Personality Test Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          There are many personality tests to help you determine how you and take the personality tests from the links provided in this resource. As you reflect on your personality type, consider how these traits can help you become a better leader.

        • The Enneagram Personality Test URL
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Take this Enneagram personality test. Of the nine personality types described, which skills within each type will help you be a great leader?

          Source: Open Psychometrics
          Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License.

      • 4.3: Leadership Development Plans

        • Time Management and Leadership Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Part of developing good leadership skills is the ability to manage your team. Review this helpful guide for estimating the time it will take to complete a task to strategies to avoid procrastination. These skills will help you create your leadership development plan!

        • Find a Mentor Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Finding a mentor can be a great first step in developing your leadership skills. As you watch this video, look for strategies you might want to implement to find a mentor.

        • Self-Reflect as a Leader Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          To become a great leader, self-reflection is necessary. This video addresses the importance of self-reflection as a leadership skill and provides tips and tricks on becoming better at self-reflection. Go back and review the list of leadership traits. Which ones did you determine you may need to work on? This reflection can assist you in putting together your leadership development plan, which we'll do later in this unit.

        • Leadership Plans Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          This short video pulls together many concepts we have addressed in this course. A leadership development plan can help you create goals based on timeframes, traits, and skills.

        • Create Your Development Plan Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          You are now ready to engage in the final step of your leadership development process! This final step will allow you to combine all you've learned and create a plan for leadership success. One suggestion is to take the CliftonStrengths for Students to help you identify your talents and develop those skills. Make sure to spend time on this plan, as it will be your roadmap for a successful path to leadership.

      • 4.4: Enhance Emotional Intelligence

        • What Is Emotional Intelligence? Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Do you know the meaning of emotional intelligence? This video addresses the definition of emotional intelligence and why it is important for today's leaders.

        • Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Success Page
          Students must
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          Do you know why emotional intelligence is so important to success, particularly leadership success? Look at the emotional intelligence skills discussed in this video. As you watch, consider your strengths and weaknesses in emotional intelligence. What areas would you like to work on to further develop your leadership skills?

        • The Four Pillars of EQ Page
          Students must
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          Review this model of emotional intelligence. Which do you do best of the four aspects of emotional intelligence: self-regulation, social skills, empathy, and self-awareness?

        • Assess Your EQ URL
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          Take the emotional intelligence quiz located on this page. Which EQ skills would you like to work on to enhance your leadership ability? What strategies can you implement to improve these skills?

          Source: Ivy Tech Community College
          Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

      • 4.5: Develop Decision-Making and Critical Thinking Skills

        • Decision-Making Processes Book
          Students must
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          As a leader, you will most definitely have to make decisions. Some will be easy, but some may be difficult. For example, you may have the opportunity to distribute bonuses, or you may have to lay off employees in one of your factories. Whatever the type of decision, many decision-making models can help leaders make good decisions. As you read, consider the barriers to good decision-making and how you can engage a group as a leader to make good decisions.

        • Emotions and Decision-Making Page
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          Have you ever considered the role of emotions in decision-making? This short article addresses the influence of emotions that can help or hinder our decision-making. How will you be able to use this information to make decisions as a leader, using a balance of rational thought and emotions?

        • Employee Involvement in Decision-Making Page
          Students must
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          As you read through this case study, consider what you learned in your Data-Driven Decision-Making course. How do you see IT leaders implement a data-driven solution and obtain buy-in from employees to create ways to make better decisions?

        • Critical Thinking and Decision-Making Page
          Students must
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          Do you know what it means to be a critical thinker? Developing critical thinking skills is essential to leading in all functional business areas. This resource outlines strategies for improving critical thinking skills around personal and business situations.

        • Decision-Making at a Startup Page
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          As you read through this resource, consider the usefulness of the Open Decision Framework. Once you've reviewed the framework, read the case study on how two companies have used this framework for decision-making. As a leader, why would you use a framework? What advantages did the two companies gain by using such a framework?

      • 4.6: Setting Ethical Goals

        • Financial Goal Setting Book
          Students must
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          In your Financial Management class, you talked about budgeting at length. Setting a budget is just like setting a goal, except it is a financial one. As you read through this chapter, consider the role of leaders (even if they aren't the financial manager) in setting financial goals for an organization, whether in the private or public sector.

        • Goal Setting Strategies Page
          Students must
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          Do you know how to set goals? SMART Goal setting is done in business but can also be used to set personal strategic goals. When setting goals, make sure the goals and how you intend to accomplish the goals are ethical and aligned with your values.

        • **Leadership Goal Setting Page
          Students must
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          Now that you've performed a SWOT analysis, it is time to take what you've learned and develop personal leadership goals. Remember, your goals should be SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.

        • Personal Goals and Organizational Goals Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          When considering leadership goal setting, one must also consider how your personal goals align with the business' goals. In addition, it is essential to consider how your employee's goals align with the organizational vision. This resource will address motivation in the context of goal alignment between the leader, followers, and the organization.

      • 4.7: Develop Public Speaking and Communication Skills

        • Creating a Presentation Book
          Students must
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          For many, the thought of public speaking brings fear into their mind and body! With proper preparation, you can become a great public speaker! Review this resource to see how to prepare to speak in public since preparing will give you more confidence as you take on leadership roles.

        • Perfecting Public Speaking and Presentations Book
          Students must
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          Besides verbal communication, are you aware of the other communication channels necessary to be an effective leader? This article gives an overview of the communication process, channels, and other important information to help you become a leader who communicates well.

      • 4.8: Develop Negotiation Skills

        • **How to Negotiate Page
          Students must
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          One of the most important aspects of leadership is persuading and negotiating with others. This resource will assist you in understanding the basics of how to negotiate effectively.

        • **Negotiation Theory and Practice Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Read the resources Professor Rowe has on this page. Pay particular attention to the Negotiation 101 document. When you read about conflict style, do you know what conflict style you might use regularly? Consider your usual style and what situations it might work best as you read through this resource.

      • 4.9: Networking and Managing Impressions

        • Leadership Etiquette Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Read this page for more on the theory of negotiation. There are certain things that organizational leaders do differently. Read this resource to find out some of the personal qualities and characteristics leaders bring to a workplace to make it high-performing.

        • Professionalism, Etiquette, and Ethical Behavior Book
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Do you know what professional behavior is in the workplace? This resource will address the soft skills required to be successful at work, such as social intelligence and social graces. As you read, consider some areas of professionalism you'd like to work on personally.

        • Contributing to a Positive Work Atmosphere Page
          Students must
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          This resource will look at the pillars of how you can contribute to a positive work atmosphere. For example, have you considered the role of personalities when getting along with others? This resource will address that.

        • Workplace Etiquette Page
          Students must
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          This resource will address considerations on workplace etiquette, interaction with others, dress, body language, and handshakes, to name a few. Can you think of others that are important for workplace etiquette?

        • Handshakes and Introductions Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Do you know how to properly introduce two people and give a professional handshake? These two skills are often overlooked but are important to impression management as leaders. As you read through the resource, think of how you can practice these two important leadership skills.

        • Seven Secrets of Business Etiquette Page
          Students must
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          In this section, you've already learned about workplace etiquette, but let's dig in even deeper. This resource lists the "secrets" of business etiquette. As you read, do you feel one might be more important than the other? Which ones do you want to work on, and which do you already possess?

        • Develop Your Network Page
          Students must
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          Networking is a key skill to hone as a leader. But do you know how to network effectively? This video shows how to properly network to grow and leverage your network for leadership success.

        • Social Media and Networking Page
          Students must
          Mark as done

          Do you know how to leverage social media to use your network for leadership growth? This video addresses this very important leadership skill.

      • Unit 4 Study Resources

        This review video is an excellent way to review what you've learned so far and is presented by one of the professors who created the course.

      • Unit 4 Assessment

      • Unit 4 Practice Final Exam

        Take this practice exam to help you get ready for your final exam. This exam can be taken as many times as you like, and it will cover topics similar to the final exam.

        We recommend that you take a look at the practice final exam before proceeding to the final exam because you will only have three tries to pass the final exam with an 80% or above.

      • Unit 4 Final Exam

        This exam is part of the Saylor Degree Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

        The Unit 4 Final Exam requires a proctor and a proctoring fee of $5. Your grade for this exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again a maximum of 3 times, with a 30-day waiting period between each attempt.

        We are partnering with SmarterProctoring to help make the proctoring fee more affordable. We will be recording you, your screen, and the audio in your room during the exam. This is an automated proctoring service, but no decisions are automated; recordings are only viewed by our staff with the purpose of making sure it is you taking the exam and verifying any questions about exam integrity. We understand that there are challenges with learning at home - we won't invalidate your exam just because your child ran into the room!

        Requirements:

        1. Desktop Computer
        2. Chrome (v74+)
        3. Webcam + Microphone
        4. 1mbps+ Internet Connection

    • Course Feedback Survey

      Please take a few minutes to give us feedback about this course. We appreciate your feedback, whether you completed the whole course or even just a few resources. Your feedback will help us make our courses better, and we use your feedback each time we make updates to our courses.If you come across any urgent problems, email degrees@saylor.org.

    • Study Guide

      This study guide will help you get ready for the unit final exams. It discusses the key topics in each unit, walks through the learning outcomes, and lists important vocabulary. It is not meant to replace the course materials!

    • Final Exam Preparation

      These case studies are an excellent way to review what you've learned so far and are presented by one of the professors who created the course. Review these materials before you take the unit final exams.

    • MBA609 Course Completion Certificate