30 Dec Identify and briefly

Module 1 discussion

Managers vs. Leaders

By way of introduction to the Discussions (DQs), you are expected to respond to a question posed by your professor which starts the “conversation/discussion.” This is called your “initial” post. Then, you are to respond to the posts of several of your classmates. If someone responds to one of your posts, you should respond back, if appropriate, just as you would in a face-to-face discussion. The minimum interaction is two posts per week.

The expectation for your initial post is approximately 250 words – this will require you to truly think through the “who, what, where, when, why, and how” of the issue. For the response posts, you are expected to make relevant comments to others posts. No minimum word count is expected, but “I agree” is not considered to be relevant.

Use relevant examples and support your arguments with references to the readings for the module or additional resources. Bonus points will be given for including reference materials not previously given in the course (i.e., doing your own literature review).

This is the “norm” for posting in the DQs in your Trident education, so please follow the above rules for the best results during your Trident journey!

Here is the question:

In the first week, discuss what makes a good leader versus a good manager. Is there really a difference? If so, what is it?

Note: Let’s go for more than just opinion here. What does your experience tell you? The literature? Please provide some examples as well as background reference material that justify your response.

In the second week, consider whether you see yourself as leader or manager. Why did you choose this answer? Explain and relate to the literature.

Module 2 discussion

Organizations as Systems

Many researchers believe that organizations are systems. These scholars developed frameworks for understanding organizations in the open systems theory. The two basic types of organization systems are closed and open. Many (but not all) contemporary organizations are open systems that interact with their environment. A closed system does not depend on its environment and can function without the consumption of external resources. An open system must interact with the environment to survive by consuming and exporting resources to the environment. In an open and closed organization system, the people are the human resources of the organization who have specific skills and traits; the purpose of the organization is the mission, vision, and goal for existing; the plan of the organization is the strategy, competitive advantages, and objectives of the organization to innovate and produce value; and the priorities of the organization are what drive the organization to thrive or excel. Consider the following model illustrating the four P’s to understanding organizations as systems:

An open organization system functions both internally and externally. The external system has an impact on the internal system and vice versa. For example, the actions of customers (externally) affect the organization and the behavior of people (internally) at work. An example of an open system organization is a college or university that transforms students into highly skilled workers that become a part of their environment. A closed organization system does not interact with its environment and as a result is disconnected from the real world. Some examples of closed system organizations are the regional armies of the People’s Republic of China and spiritual cults (e.g., Waco). With globalization, technological advancements, and unlimited competition, organizations are more likely to become open systems and depend more on their environments.

For this discussion, address the following questions:

In week one, name an organization you consider to be an open system. Justify your answer.

In week two, name an organization that operates as a closed system and comment on whether the structure of this organization is appropriate or detrimental to the goals and purpose of that organization.

Remember the guidance from Module 1 with respect to depth and breadth of your responses, and support your answers with references from the background readings and research where appropriate.

Module 3 discussion

The Glass Ceiling Phenomenon

The glass ceiling phenomenon has been around for a long period of time, and has generally been used to discuss the lack of senior executive opportunities for women in corporations. However, according to the Federal Glass Ceiling Commission, the glass ceiling refers to “the unseen, yet unbreakable barrier that keeps minorities and women from rising to the upper rungs of the corporate ladder, regardless of their qualifications or achievements.”

In the first week of this module, research the glass ceiling phenomenon. Do you believe that the glass ceiling still exists? If so, explain what a strategic leader can do to end the glass ceiling phenomenon in his/her organization. If not, explain what has changed.

In the second week, regardless of the stance you took above, discuss some “best practices” that can be implemented in all organizations to insure that a glass ceiling does not deter the leadership opportunities for all employees (e.g., what should organizations stop doing, continue doing, or start doing?).

Remember the guidance from Module 1 with respect to depth and breadth of your responses, and relating them back to literature and research.

Module 4 discussion

Facilitating Change

According to Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher who was born in 535 B.C., “Change is the only constant.”

John Kotter (1995) stated that there are eight steps to successfully leading change. They are:

Create a sense of urgency

Create the guiding coalition

Develop a vision and strategy

Communicate the change vision

Empower employees for broad-based action

Create a series of short-term wins

Consolidate gains and produce more change

Anchor the changes in the corporate culture

Your assignment (Mr. Phelps), should you choose to accept it, is to watch the following three YouTube videos:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ol9zYw4Chg&feature=related

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3IbKbDhfKw

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuGjYfJ0HSY&feature=related

After watching the videos, discuss what you feel is the most effective way for a leader to implement organizational change. Go into detail in each of the phases of the change as to the appropriate leadership style to ensure success.

Compare it to a change effort that you have seen fail. What could the leader have done to ensure the change was successful?

This [course] will not self-destruct in 5 seconds, so you should remember the guidance from Module 1 with respect to depth and breadth of your responses, and relating them back to literature and research (see background page).

Kotter, J. (1995). Leading Change. Boston, MA, Harvard Business School Press.

Module 4 reflective discussion

Identify and briefly discuss two important concepts applicable to your professional discipline that you learned in this course from the readings and assignments. How do you intend to use these concepts in the future? What actions will you take in the future to improve yourself and your abilities in these two and other areas?