My Leadership Journey: Reflecting on Challenges, Growth, and Future Goals

Main Leadership Assignment – 70% – An Overview

This is your main assignment. A further breakdown of marks and requirements will be provided.

Submission Details:

• Due Date: TBC
• Submission Method: Via Turnitin link
• Late Submission Penalties: Late submissions will incur penalties as per ATU policy.

Assignment Overview:

Learners will be required to write a reflective essay on their personal leadership journey. The assignment focuses on leadership within your own personal context. You will refer to the literature and theories of leadership but concentrate on your role as a leader. You will describe a leadership challenge that you face, referencing module materials and any additional resources you find. The essay will also include an element of personal reflection, where you will consider how you have approached the leadership challenge and potential considerations for your future role as a leader.

Essay Structure:

The essay should cover the following aspects (not limited to):

1. Describe the evolution of leadership theory and how it has influenced your understanding of leadership.
2. Examine the importance of leadership theory and apply it to an organizational setting you are familiar with.
3. Evaluate your own leadership style and discuss the implications of this in your role as a leader.
4. Understand why change-oriented behaviors are important for effective leadership.
5. Recognize what traits and skills are most relevant for effective leadership.
6. Demonstrate how leaders can influence group processes and improve performance.

The essay should be well-structured, with clear headings for each section, and should include real-life examples and reflections.

Possible Project Types:

There are various types of projects students can undertake to apply leadership principles:

1. Leadership Change Initiative: Propose and implement a leadership-related change or improvement within your chosen environment. This could involve team development, conflict resolution, or process optimization.
2. Leadership Analysis and Recommendation: Analyze the leadership practices within your chosen environment and provide recommendations for improvement.
3. Leadership Development Plan: Create leadership development plans for yourself or others within the chosen context, outlining steps for skill enhancement and personal growth.
4. Leadership Case Study: Investigate and write a case study on a real leadership situation you have encountered or observed, analyzing the leadership dynamics and outcomes.

Word Count:

• 2000 words

Weight:

• This assignment is worth 70% of your overall assessment for the module.

Main Assessment Breakdown: Reflective Essay Structure

1. Introduction:

• Provide a definition of leadership relevant to your work.
• Outline the challenge you faced.
• Describe your approach to tackling the challenge.
• Reference appropriate theory.

2. The Challenge:

• Describe your personal role, involvement, and interest in the challenge.
• Provide background information on the organization and the challenge.
• Explain why it is a challenge.

3. Approach:

• Describe the leadership theory that applied to the problem.
• Explain how it applied, what you thought, and what you learned.
• This section can include discussions on leadership theories, controversies, power, influence, teams, motivation, change, and your personal leadership philosophy.
• Describe what you did, thought, and how you tackled or plan to tackle the problem.
• Define what success would look like.

4. The Outcome:

• Discuss the results/outcomes of your approach.
• Include feedback or thoughts from others involved.
• Provide your personal reflections.
• Address what happened, so what, and what next.
• Reflect on how you have approached the leadership challenge.
• Discuss what your leadership style is.
• Consider future considerations for your role as a leader.

5. Conclusion:

• Provide an overall summary of your essay.

6. References:

• Use Harvard Referencing.

Additional Details:

• Word Count: 2000 words
• Submission Date: 4th April 2025, 23:59
• Submission Method: Submit via Turnitin.
• Weight: This assignment is worth 70% of your overall assessment for the module.

Instructions:

1. Use a definition of leadership as a starting point.
2. Refer to module materials related to leadership theory, leadership styles, group work, etc., describing it from both a theoretical and descriptive perspective.
3. Describe a leadership challenge you face.
4. Explain how you approached the challenge or attempted to resolve it.
5. Discuss the outcomes.
6. Include personal learnings and reflections, including your feelings about using AI.
7. You may include material from your personal journal.