Reference no: EM132220149

Part 1 instructions

Why is studying leadership important? Good question! Maybe you think you are not a leader. Not so fast! Let's keep in mind that first and foremost you must lead yourselves and in doing so you influence the people around us through our actions.

Leadership comes in all different forms to include business, family, church, school, sports, volunteer work and more. It can also be said that when confronted with a situation outside of the system, it is leadership that responds. The lollipop story from Drew Dudley is a great example of these concepts.

By design, the first chapter of your Leadership textbook by Lussier and Achua (2013) gave you a definition of leadership. It described the five key elements of leadership; discussed the categories of managerial roles; gave an understanding of trait and behavioral leadership theories and the interrelationships between those theories. So let's get started by answering the following question and posting your answers in our discussion. Post your thoughts and comment on those of your colleagues.

1. Describe the "best" leader you have actually known. What made the leader the "best"? Did you have a lollipop moment with that leader? If so, describe it.

2. Finally, when answering this question consider your point of view and the viewpoint of others surrounding both the lollipop moment and the term "best." Consider that some of the qualities you consider "best", others (such as those from different cultures) may not. Describe how your point of view leads you to the above conclusions.

Part 2 instructions

One of the great college football coaches, Lou Holtz, took five failing college football teams to a bowl game within two years of becoming the coach. He stated that the keys to success include first, "Do Your very Best"; second, "Do Right" and third, "Treat others as You would like to be Treated" (Do Right, 2006).

Coach Holtz backed up his commitment to these values, e.g. when two first string players were late to the team dinner for a fourth time, he sent these players back to South Bend even though his team, Notre Dame, was playing USC in one of the biggest games of the season (Lundy, 1994).

Discussion

Thinking through the implications of a leader's decision, compare and contrast an example of a leader demanding the higher standard (doing what's right) and a leader that does not demand "doing what is right". What impact has each leader had on their respective organization? What have those examples taught you about your own leadership style?