To meet the challenges of the global business environment, project managers need to combine professional competence with a fundamental grasp of the process of team building and complexities of leadership in an 'agile' environment. This module provides an understanding of the key elements of leadership and enables participants to better understand their own and others' leadership preferences and styles. As the focus is on project management, this module will also provide participants with the tools to understand 'scrum' team dynamics and possible roles therein.
A particular feature of this module is the use of role play and case study as teaching tools and feedback for both group work on roles and leadership styles. The interaction of the students will be analysed by the group in order to tease out interpersonal issues, intercultural issues, and issues relating to the division of roles and leadership. Thus, students will be engaging in constructive and supportive peer-evaluation in the group setting. This will mimic evaluative situations which would take place in a formal business setting ,and which is central to the work of a team when managing a project.
Introduction to Leadership
Introduction to the theory and practice of leadership. Key leadership styles, to include agile leader; leadership and management; review of self-assessment test.
Traditional leadership theory and frameworks
Description of trait approach, application and strengths; skills approach; leader-member exchange theory
Emotionally intelligent leadership
Description of ability and mixed approaches; application in organisations; introduction to the concept of agility and its implications for leadership, organisations, the project and the team.
Introduction to Teamwork
Theory of team roles and team building; critique of theory; examination of how the 'scrum' methodology applies in the context of teamwork. The virtual team; issues arising from managing the project team (tracking team member performance, providing feedback, resolving issues and managing team changes) as per the PMBOK guide.
Interpersonal communication skills
In-depth exploration of verbal and non-verbal communication (including active listening and feedback skills). Demonstrate that student has developed good understanding of their own self-presentational and management skills.
Organisational Communication
Comparison of traditional with agile approaches. Theory of cultural dimensions within organisations to explore impact of intercultural issues on interpersonal communication in the team.
A wide range of learning and teaching approaches will be used, including workshops, team work, discussion and lectures. Video excerpts and short case studies will be used as appropriate. Further learning materials and resources will be provided on the VLE.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |