Master course:

Oct. 2004

Teaching language: English, SWS: 2, ECTS: 4 Performance appraisal: written assignments, class participation, and team project.

Course description

Examines the tools and processes of leadership in a business setting so students can evaluate themselves and their environment to identify areas of growth and skills development. A practical approach that links real-world business experiences and corporate performance with the scholarship and wisdom of leadership theorists.

We build a bridge from leadership concepts (ways of thinking in a classical fashion) to leadership action in a business setting. We will study goal setting in the new economy, risk taking and techniques for accomplishing dramatic change by predicting problems and probable outcomes. Our investigations combine theory and practice which are amplified by the points of view of business practitioners. Class discussions consider the success and failure of applied concepts. Readings will explore the fundamentals of leadership functioning in a customer responsive economy where the old paradigm is giving way to the new reality of people who lead from below and often without formal authority. It is the intention of the course to present tools and skill-sets that are important for understanding these dynamics. Prof. Dr. Waldemar A. Pfoertsch International Business Pforzheim University

Email: Waldemar.Pfoertsch@fh-pforzheim.de

Supporting is provided on the eLearning platform of the Pforzheim University, please register

http://Elearning.fh-pforzheim.de

EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS Students should treat their classroom obligations as they would treat any serious professional engagement. This includes:

1. Preparing thoroughly for each session. Following the syllabus guide and study questions. 2. Arriving promptly and remaining until the end of each class meeting. 3. Participating fully and constructively in all classroom discussions. 4. Displaying appropriate courtesy to all involved in the class sessions. Courteous behavior specifically entails communicating in a manner that respects and is sensitive to the cultural, racial, sexual and other individual differences in the Pforzheim University community.

5. Adhering to deadlines and timetables established for the class.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: In addition to the research component, which is discussed separately, each student will be required to submit individual papers that demonstrate an understanding of the application of leadership concepts from the readings and class discussions. Each paper will be identified by week due and length. Papers should be double-spaced, proofread and reproduced in 12 pt. type. You will be graded on your demonstration of the knowledge gained and lessons learned in the readings and analysis of the individual class material. A clear, concise flow of ideas and arguments is important.

THE TEAM PROJECT: Since you don't work alone in the business world, it is useful to participate in a team to do an in-depth study and report to the class on a relevant leadership topic. The group project accounts for 30% of the course grade. Your written report will receive an overall grade. However, individual grades may be issued to a member of the team based an each person's performance evaluation grades from fellow team members.

Maximum length of the body of the paper: 20 pages (or 5,000 words) plus tables, exhibits, figures, appendices, etc. All text must be in 12 pt. type, double-spaced, typed with proper margins, proofread, and footnoted where appropriate. The final report is to be handed in (posted online) 10 day after the last session.

You must interview executives who are policy makers and have an Input in the leadership decisions of the company. Each team will be required to report the subjects to be interviewed, the dates of the scheduled Interviews and the job titles of the people listed. Collect as much relevant Information as you can. Using multiple concepts and tools discussed in class, make a clear analysis of the strengths and weaknesses and outline a plan for implementation (where possible). Each student must join a team not to exceed 4 students and each team will pick a leadership research topic. During the first and second class meetings, class will break into small groups. You may form the team on any basis you like. There are only two requirements: (1) you must be a member of a team by the end of the second class, and (2) you cannot change groups after you are in the group. At the end of the second class, each group will turn in a list of the names of the team members. THE POINT OF VIEW OR ORIENTATION OF THE REPORT WILL BE THAT OF A CONSULTANT MAKING A PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

OVERVIEW: Leadership lessons extracted from the class are to be tested in the field. Findings must be backed up by research and anchored in Interviews of practicing business leaders. Research seeks new knowledge and confirmation, not just reporting. Therefore, the purpose of your study is to verify the concepts of leadership discussed in class or that you would like to know more about. Most importantly, new discoveries and new insights are sought. Every person on the team must participate in at least one face-to-face in-depth interview accompanied by a fellow student. Some of the material presented in the report must be from the original Interviews. References to the text and class discussions are necessary for depth to your research. Verbatims from the Interviews are to be used to emphasize points in the report. Wherever possible, Interviews should be recorded and verbatims included in the Appendix of the report (there Is no limit to the length of the Appendix). Verbatims should capture the essence of the ideas and beliefs of the person being interviewed. You are not court reporters so please refine the comments and observations into a usable transcript. Also list names of class members present at the interview.

SUGGESTED RESEARCH TOPICS:

1. Managership as the platform for leadership 2. Origins of Leadership 3. Leadership in the economy AFTER the Internet boom 4. Followership: Leading from below and without authority 5. Vision and mission (formulation and communication) 6. Integrity and trust 7. Leadership in the 21st century (the globalised and digitised economy) 8. …..

You can pick a research topic that captures your team’s interest. Please clear it with your Professor.

FORM OF THE RESEARCH REPORT : 1. Title of the report and names of students an the cover sheet. 2. Table of Contents which page numbers to include: a. Executive Summary b. Introduction and scope of study c. The research d. Conclusions e. Footnotes f. Bibliography g. Appendix

1. Brief bio of person interviewed (1 paragraph max) 2. Interview questionnaire 3. Interview transcript 4. Names and email of students who conducted the interview

3. Number all pages except the Appendix.

RESEARCH TIPS:

1. Take time after class to introduce members, identify the talents of each, including the business experience and academic background. Draft a calendar for future meetings. There may not be enough time after each class to hold your meetings so be prepared and immediately schedule any independent communication. 2. Select the topic or create a research objective. Make and circulate a draft of the research approach, prepare lists including addresses and telephone numbers of people to be interviewed. Get Pforzheim University letterhead from me after Class #2 and write to inter¬viewees to lock up appointments. 3. Set up appointments and assign at least two people to do the interview. 4. Do the field work. If permission is granted, record interviews for transcription and future review. 5. Integrate initial findings to see what you've accomplished and what has to be done 6. Assign tasks in the construction of the written report. Allow time for circulating drafts 7. Refine draft and integrate comments of team members. Avoid duplication 8. Complete the report and make duplicate copies for members of the team since the original will be submitted to the instructor and not returned.

Teams may wish to make an appointment to receive a preliminary evaluation of the quality of their research and the progress of the development of their report after the first of November.

CLASS PREPARATION: Study questions have been prepared to focus your thinking and inquiry into the assigned material.

Students may be called on for their analysis of the assigned readings and for the application of leadership concepts presented. Remarks will be evaluated on your significant contribution to the class learning experience:

1. I will evaluate your class participation as the quarter progresses. If you are not prepared to participate in any one class, please place your name plaque face down. Otherwise, 1 may call an you as part of the class discussion. I will give priority to those students who raise their hands.

2. Since we are attempting to build a scholarly forum, talking just to get "air time" is a negative.

3. Class discussion between students is encouraged.

GRADING:

Your work will be evaluated on the following criterias:

1. Team project paper 40% 2. Marks on 2 assigned papers 30% 3. Class participation 30%

TEXTS:

ON BECOMING A LEADER – Warren Bennis Perseus Publishing 2003 ISBN: 0738208175

THE LEADERSHIP MYSTIQUE - A USER’S MANUAL FOR THE HUMAN ENTERPRISE Kets de Vries - Prentice Hall, an imprint of Pearson Education 2001 ISBN 0273656201

NOW, DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS Marcus Buckingham & Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. The Free Press, 2001, ISBN 074320114

RESOURCE PACKET: Professor Waldemar A. Pfoertsch – Business Leadership Publisher: Pforzheim University 2004 Contains required reading, articles and other published material plus specially prepared papers.

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