Leadership Theory (Reflection Paper)

Sample Reflection Paper Assignment 

Instruction

Final Paper

The final assignment for this course is a Summary Project. The purpose of the Summary Project is for you to culminate the learning achieved in the course by describing your understanding and application of knowledge in the field of strategies of organizational leadership.  The Final Paper represents 20% of the overall course grade.


Focus of the Final Paper

Write an eight- to ten-page paper (not including the title and reference pages) that addresses your personal best leadership experience.  Personal best is a time when you believe you had performed at the peak as a leader.  Be sure to incorporate elements from our reading in regards to your leadership approach, the type of leadership application; transactional, transformational, situational, etc.  Some questions to address in the essay are:

• What characterized the situation?  Who was involved?  Where and when did it take place?  Who initiated it?
• What approach did you apply to the situation?
• What type of leadership would you classify yourself as in this situation?
• What motivated you to engage in this project?  How did you challenge yourself and others?
• What did you aspire to achieve?  How did you build enthusiasm and excitement?
• How did you involve others?  How did you foster collaboration?  How did you build trust and respect?  How did you build the capacity to excel?
• What values and principles guided you and others?  How did you set the example?  How did you progress from one milestone to another?
• How did you recognize individuals?  How did you celebrate success?
• What lessons about leadership did you learn from the experience?

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

1. Must be eight to 10 double-spaced pages in length (not including the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
2. Must include a title page with the following:
   • Title of paper
   • Student’s name
   • Course name and number
   • Instructor’s name
   • Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least five scholarly sources, including a minimum of two from the Ashford Online Library.
7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Required Readings

Required Text

Read the following chapters in the text:

• Chapter 15: Culture and Leadership
• Chapter 16: Leadership Ethics

Recommended Website

It is recommended that you read the following articles to gain a better understanding of leadership (Retrieved from the ProQuest database):

35. Alahmad, A. (2010). To be ethical or not to be: An international code of ethics for leadership.  Journal of Diversity Management, 5(1), 31-35.
36. Allio, R. J. (2007). Bad leaders: How they get that way and what to do about them.  Strategy & Leadership, 35(3), 12-17.
37. Ciulla, J. (2010). Being there: Why leaders should not “fiddle” while Rome burns. Presidential Studies Quarterly, 40(1) 38-56.
38. Dooley, R. (2003). Four cultures, one company: Achieving corporate excellence through working cultural complexity. Organizational Development Journal, 21(2), p.52.