For this assignment, you will be creating an 14 to 21-slide presentation to summarize your knowledge gained from the CPD 400 Foundations of Leadership course. You will reflect on the modules, assignments, articles, videos, and discussion you experienced and participated in this semester.
Each week we addressed important leadership concept(s). A good way to organize your presentation is to create two slides per each of the seven weeks of reading requirements, discussions, journals, and papers assignments. This assignment will help you recognize the new knowledge you gained on being a leader.
Don’t just reiterate the information in the modules. The objective of this final assignment is for you to realize what knowledge you gained and how this gained knowledge will help you better your life.
There is often a progression of learning. First, you have data–just numbers and words. When you make sense of that data, you have information. When you can use that information to better your life, you have knowledge. When you can use that knowledge to better the lives of others, you have wisdom.
In this final presentation, consider what information is important to you. Be creative in creating an engaging presentation. PowerPoint Presentation Guidelines and sample slides can be reviewed online: https://www.mcgill.ca/skillsets/files/skillsets/powerpointguidelines.pdf
Use an attractive design and animation. You don’t need to include pictures, but if you find one that helps hold the audience’s attention and emphasizes your point, feel free to use the image(s).
Sometimes sounds can be used to engage the emotions of your audience.
Slides that are too full or too empty are distractions from the presentation. Make sure you provide enough information on your slides so I’ll be able to understand your message.
Do not submit your final project on plain white slides. This looks too much like a work copy or an unfinished presentation.
Use your leadership skills to get the attention of your audience. Make your work important.
Use your presentation to emphasize what you have learned. Remember, this is the portfolio of your semester’s work.
Your first slide will be the title slide and your last slide will be your reference slide (works cited). You should also include the following in your presentation:
Identify the topic and briefly summarize the topic and your understanding of the topic and which learning objective you fulfilled
Explain what you learned about the topic through completing the reading requirements, discussion assignment, and journal for each topic
Explain what you learned through completing each of the two research papers
Explain what you learned about your chosen leader
What characteristics did you favor
Identify your preferred leadership style and theory and what benefits you expect
Explain new knowledge you gained and how it will better your life
I’ll submit some work that I’ve done just to pose as a example of what the presentation should cover. I’ll also submit the reading that includes chapters we’ve had to read, it’s free access. I’ll also submit 2 of my journals I’ve completed.
Book: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/leadershipandmanagement/part/chapter-1-introduction-to-principles-of-leadership-and-management/
Journal:
Journal #1
In reflecting on the concepts of management and leadership, I find value in considering hypothetical scenarios to illustrate the practical application of these concept in real-life situations. One such scenario involves organizing a volunteer event in a community organization. in the hypothetical situation, the role of manager would involve planning and coordinating the logistics of the event, including scheduling volunteers, allocating resources, and managing the budget. The role of a leader would encompass inspiring and motivating the volunteers, communicating a shared vision for the event, and fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration.
Through the scenario, I recognize the importance of both management aspect involves efficient coordination and organization of tasks and resources, while the leadership aspect entails inspiring and guiding the volunteer toward a common goal. This hypothetical scenario serves as a reminder that principles of management and leadership are not confined to the workplace but can be applied to various real life situations, such as community and volunteer work.
While my personal experiences in management and leadership roles are limited, this exercise has highlighted the relevance of these concepts in everyday life. I honestly look forward to exploring new scenarios and how management and leadership principles can be integrated into various aspects of life.
Journal 2:
In my experience at a specific retail company, I noticed a gap between the company’s vision, mission, and values, and how they played out in the everyday work setting. Like many companies alike, they aimed to create meaningful connections with customers, provide top-quality product and services and uphold values like integrity and respect.
However, the company’s big aspirations didn’t quite translate into the daily grind. Instead of focusing on building meaningful connections, the team often prioritized completing transactions but of course that’s expected of a retail company. Sales targets sometimes took presence over delivering top-notch service, and not everyone seemed to embody the values of integrity and respect consistently.
To bridge this gap, the organization could have taken steps to ensure that everyone understood and embraced the company’s vision, mission, and values. Regular training sessions and team meetings could have reinforced these principles. Leadership could have set the tone by incorporating these values into their actions and decisions, inspiring others to follow suit.
It was clear better communication and support from leadership could have helped create a work environment where the vision, mission, and values were not just words on a poster but truly lived out by everyone in the organization.
This reflection highlights the importance of aligning organizational culture with core principles and the need of ongoing communication and leadership involvement to foster a workplace where these values are ingrained in the daily operations. By ensuring that the company’s vision, mission, and values were not just abstract concepts but are deeply ingrained in the actions and behavior of every team member, a more cohesive and customer centric work environment can be cultivated. Leadership plays a vital role in setting the tone and guiding the company towards embodying these core principles.
Fostering open communication channels where employees feel heard and valued can further strengthen the alignment of an organizational culture with the company’s guiding beliefs. Employee feedback mechanisms, such as surveys or regular check ins, can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of cultural initiatives and help address any discrepancies between the stated values and the actual workplace practices.
The journey of aligning organizational culture with the company’s vision, mission, and values is an ongoing process that requires commitment, communication, and collaboration at all levels of the organization. I would say this experience has deepened my understanding of the relationship between culture and values in shaping the employee experience and overall performance of a company.
Journal 3-4 combined:
Journal 1:
Upon reflecting on the article “Elites on Equality: Room for Gender Balance and Ethnic Diversity in Leadership Positions?” as well as “Decomposing the Impact of Leadership Diversity Among Nonprofit Organizations”, I gained an understanding of the importance of diversity in leadership. My leadership style, which leans towards a participative approach, aligns well with the benefits of incorporating different perspectives and experiences in decision-making processes. These articles emphasize that leadership diversity, including gender balance and ethnic diversity, plays a vital role in driving innovation, improving decision-making, and fostering inclusivity within organizations. By embracing diverse viewpoints and promoting inclusivity in leadership roles, organizations can create a more dynamic and effective work environment. The insight has solidified my commitment to enhancing my Lea skills to better serve the advantages of diverse teams, ultimately leading to improved organizational performance and greater success.
Journal 2:
Examining the article “Making Sense of Cultural Diversity’s Complexity: Addressing on emerging challenge of Leadership” by Chua, Sun, and Sinha, alongside the importance of diversity in organizations, I am inspired to contribute to creating inclusive environments. Diversity is a cornerstone of organizational success, as it brings a wealth of perspectives, enhances creativity, and fosters a culture of innovation. Personally, I’m committed to advocating for diversity and inclusion by actively promoting equitable policies, advocating for diverse recruitment practices, and fostering a workplace culture steeped in respect and inclusivity. Utilizing essential attributes such as active listening, empathy, and cultural sensitivity, my aspiration is to emerge as a catalyst for change, championing diversity and inclusivity within any workplace and broader community. By cultivating a culture where diverse voices are not just heard but valued, I believe we can forge a path towards enhanced innovation, productivity, and overall employee fulfillment.
