LEADING IN TODAY’S DYNAMIC CONTEXTS

Unit 1 – Written Assignment

After reading “What Makes a Great Leader” and viewing the Nobel Lecture, identify two traits that illustrate Wangari Maathai’s leadership potential.

  • How were those two traits illustrated in her lecture?
  • Identify one trait which was not present (or minimally present) in the lecture and suggest a way to apply it in the speech.
  • In the concluding portion of this paper, evaluate how well overall Wangari Maathai’s lecture demonstrated the three selected elements of leadership potential.

Submit a 2- page case paper, (independent of reference page) double-spaced. Paper and all citations should be in APA format.

Assessment Criteria

Papers will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Traits were identified that illustrate leadership potential
  • Trait that was missing was identified and there was a discussion as to how it could be applied to the situation
  • Overall evaluation and synthesis of the traits selected
  • Writing Clarity and Quality (including documentation and grammar)

Reading Assignments:

What Makes a Great Leader?  12 key elements of Leadership Success. Retrieved from: https://www.bluesteps.com/blog/what-makes-great-leader-12-key-elements-leadership-success

  • This document provides the basis for our discussion about elements characterizing effective leaders.

Maathai, Wangari. (2004). Nobel Lecture. Retrieved from: http://www.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=867.

Russell, E. (2011, Sept 8). Leadership theories and style: A transitional approach. General Douglas MacArthur Military Leadership Writing Competition.

  • This essay is an excellent overview and should be referred to throughout the class.

Sferra, B. A. & Paddock, S.C. (1980). Leadership Theories.  Eric Document: 199932.

  • This is an ‘older’ document that does a good job of outlining the major leadership theories.