MQM2PROJ-Practice-based Leadership Project

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:NA
Terms in which taught:
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: jean-anne.stewart@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module is offered at Stage 2 of the MA Leadership, a part-time programme for experienced leaders or managers with significant leadership responsibility. This module is specifically aimed at developing practical leadership skills in the programme members. It is delivered by a combination of face-to-face workshops, a practical leadership project in an organisation, group presentations, personal reflection and self-study, over a period of several months, and builds on knowledge from other modules covering leadership concepts and development.

Aims:

This module aims to: 

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  Develop the capability of individuals to plan, manage and reflect on their practical leadership skills through the use of a short project in an organisation   

  
  


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  Encourage development of behavioural skills in individuals to increase the effectiveness and appropriateness of their leadership 

  
  

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  Review and consolidate knowledge of strategic leadership models, strategic marketing, organisational structures and business models 

  
  


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  Develop the awareness of the programme & project management, planning, risks and practical issues in relation to leadership in practice 

  
  


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  To develop knowledge of corporate finance and governance so that individuals can oversee financial strategies and related issues 

  
  


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  Increase the level of self-awareness in programme members 

  
  

Assessable learning outcomes:

•Practical application of a range of different theoretical models and approaches to strategic leadership, strategic marketing, project management, planning and risk assessment 

•Practical application of a range of techniques for problem-solving, decision-making and managing feedback 

•Critical analysis in order to engage others, assess the leadership context in a different organisation and decide on the most appropriate interventions 

•Review of corporate finance and governance issues with respect to the organisation 

•Communication skills, including questioning, listening and interpersonal sensitivity 

•Developing personal leadership skills in a practical organisational environment 

•Managing differences and cultural diversity through collaborative working with people in the chosen project organisation   

•Self-awareness and respect for others 

The programme member will receive feedback from peers and tutors on these outcomes throughout the module. This will contribute to their reflective statement in the final assignment for assessment 

Additional outcomes:

Additional outcomes

? Confidence

? Understanding of the impact on others of their own personal leadership style

? Understanding leadership in different contexts

? Understanding the importance and use of feedback and reflection in practical leadership development

Outline content:

The module covers the following topics: 

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  Introduction to the project and project research methods (e.g. action research)  

  
  


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  Setting personal learning objectives 

  
  


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  The project assignment 

  
  


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  Strategic leadership models, strategic marketing, organisational structures and business models 

  
  

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  Programme & project management, planning and risks in relation to the practice-based leadership project 

  
  


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  Corporate finance and governance  

  
  


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  Documenting and presenting project recommendations to the organisation  

  
  


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  Summarising and presenting leadership development and learning from the project 

  
  


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  Managing feedback during the project 

  
  

Global context:

N/A

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The principle method in this stage is ‘experiential learning’ through the practice-based leadership project in an organisation. Programme members will be allocated to projects where they have the opportunity to develop their personal leadership skills in an environment different to their usual environment, e.g. large company to small company, public sector to private sector, private sector to third sector etc. For those working in very large organisations, this may be achieved through working with a different department or section. 

Workshop teaching methods include working in a whole group of up to 50 with one or two tutors, and in smaller groups of up to 8 programme members. Other learning activities take place in pairs and individual reflection.  

Teaching includes input from tutors, and practice in small groups. Plenary discussion and table discussions are encouraged. Formative and summative feedback is given as appropriate. 

Programme members are expected to draw on their practical leadership experiences in their own and project organisations to practice and consolidate their learning through planned personal learning objectives. At the final workshop in this module, the programme members present their project learning summaries and write their assignments.  

They have access to the Virtual Learning Environment throughout the programme, until the end of their registration period. 

Programme members are encouraged to keep a personal learning log, paper or electronic, during both this module and the complete programme. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Following on from the first workshop, programme members develop a personal leadership development plan with their desired developmental goals and targets, during the subsequent ‘project practice’ period of several months. Programme members will work on a real project in an organisational context for approximately 60 hours over a period of several weeks, which provides the opportunity to demonstrate acquired skill and develop further. These will be discussed in the interim and final project presentations, as part of the assessment, which will comprise: 

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  One final presentation (approximately 30 minutes) summarising their practice-based project and key insights and personal learning 

  
  


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  A written assignment of 3000 words, based on the experience of the leadership project practice and personal leadership development during the overall period of the module. This should reflect on the activities which took place both in ‘live’ practice and at the workshops, the learning gained from it, the programme member’s learning reflections, and be underpinned with reference and critical analysis of the relevant literature. 

  
  

It is expected that the programme member will reference the other elements of their development portfolio, such as learning logs and reflective documents, and include them as required in the appendix of the assignment. These additional elements of the portfolio will be included in the same electronic submission as the assignment. 

Assessment submission is according to the assessment schedule for the student’s cohort. 

Formative assessment methods:

Feedback from tutors and peers at interim presentations (workshop 5) is formative and supports leadership development during this module. 

Penalties for late submission:

As stated for university post-experience, postgraduate programmes

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Requirements for a pass

50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment arrangements

One re-submission allowed, capped at 50%

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 5 June 2019