MQM2PROJ-Practice-based Leadership Project

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Jean- Anne Stewart
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 a different organisation (or different division / department in larger organisations), presentations, personal reflection and self-study, over a period of several months.

Aims:

This module aims to: 

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


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


• Review and consolidate knowledge of strategic leadership models, strategic marketing and business models 


• Develop awareness of the programme & project management, planning, risk assessment and mitigating actions 


• Develop knowledge of the organisation's finance and governance so that individuals can understand and contribute to financial strategies and decisions


• Increase the level of self-awareness in programme members 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• 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 


• Analysis of 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: 

• Introduction to the project and project research methods (action research & consultancy)  


• Setting personal learning objectives for the project assignment


• Organisational context - Finance for Leaders


• Organisational context - Strategic leadership models, strategic marketing and business models 


• Managing the practice the practice-based leadership project  


• Documenting and presenting project recommendations to the organisation  


• Presenting leadership development and learning from the project 


• 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 work on 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 wor king with a different region, 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 then 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:

None

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 this period, 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: 

• 
  

  One final presentation (15 minutes) covering key insights and personal learning 

  
  


• 
  

  A written assignment of 3000 words, based on their experiences of the leadership project and  theirpersonal 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 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 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:

Minimum of  50% for the module

Reassessment arrangements:

One re-submission of written assignment allowed, capped at 50%

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Nil

Last updated: 31 March 2023