OL 328 Final Project Guidelines And Rubric Overview ✓ Solved

OL 328 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric Overview For

For your final project, you will submit an essay in which you reflect on the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership and how they apply to real-life situations. Throughout the course, you will develop a leadership development action plan to outline how you will use the five practices to improve the three areas of leadership you will identify in Module One. In Modules Three and Five, you will complete milestone assignments that will help you assemble your final deliverable in Module Seven. In Module Seven, you will complete a reflective essay that will allow you to put into practice the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership as well as the leadership theories and approaches covered in the course.

Prompt: You have learned about each of the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership and, on a weekly basis, have developed a leadership development action plan to improve selected leadership areas. Using your milestone submissions, your textbook, your course resources and discussion posts, and your leadership development action plan, address the following critical elements:

• Describe the concept behind each of the five practices with supporting evidence.
• Apply each of the five practices to an organization of your choice.
• Identify how many employees you are leading or would feel comfortable leading in the future.
• Reflect upon your acquired knowledge of the five practices.
• Select two leadership theories or approaches you learned about and describe how you will apply those theories to the three leadership areas of improvement you selected in Module One.

Your final paper should be four to six pages in length (in addition to the cover page and references). It should use 12-point Times New Roman font, double spacing, and one-inch margins. Citations should be formatted according to APA style.

Paper For Above Instructions

The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, as outlined by Kouzes and Posner, are critical in building effective leadership within any organization. These practices include: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. Each component has a unique role in fostering an environment where leadership flourishes. In this essay, I will explore each practice, apply these principles to a chosen organization, and evaluate the leadership theories that support my action plan for development.

Understanding the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

1. Model the Way: This first practice emphasizes the importance of leaders setting the example for others to follow. According to Kouzes & Posner (2017), exemplary leaders clarify their values and demonstrate them through their actions. An effective leader aligns their behaviors with their stated beliefs, which establishes trust and credibility among team members.

2. Inspire a Shared Vision: The second practice involves leaders envisioning the future and rallying their team around that vision. Leaders must communicate their aspirations effectively, motivating team members to work towards a common goal (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). A shared vision builds commitment and strengthens the organizational culture.

3. Challenge the Process: Here, leaders are encouraged to innovate and take risks. They seek opportunities for change and continuously seek improvement (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). By challenging the status quo and encouraging team members to do so as well, leaders can foster an environment of creativity.

4. Enable Others to Act: This practice is about empowering team members. Leaders should foster collaboration and build trust by allowing others to take part in decision-making processes (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). Encouraging teamwork enhances morale and performance.

5. Encourage the Heart: Finally, this practice highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating team contributions. Acknowledgment can inspire individuals to continue performing at their best (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). Leaders should ensure that their team feels valued and appreciated.

Application of the Five Practices in a Chosen Organization

For this project, I will focus on a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth services, such as the Boys & Girls Club. In this context, I envision myself leading a team of approximately 15 to 20 employees, volunteering to engage with young people and support their development.

In applying the five practices to this organization, I would: a) Model the Way by actively participating in programs and displaying integrity, b) Inspire a Shared Vision by creating engaging pathways for the youth to achieve their potential, c) Challenge the Process by encouraging my team to propose new strategies to improve service delivery, d) Enable Others to Act by delegating responsibilities and fostering a sense of ownership, and e) Encourage the Heart by recognizing the contributions of staff and volunteers through awards and appreciation events.

Leadership Theories and Application

In addition to the five practices, I plan to integrate Transformational Leadership and Servant Leadership theories into my leadership development plan. Transformational Leadership focuses on inspiring and motivating followers, creating higher levels of commitment through a shared vision (Northouse, 2018). Similarly, Servant Leadership emphasizes the importance of putting others’ needs first, which aligns with my desire to empower employees and create a supportive environment.

Applying these theories to my areas of improvement—communication, conflict management, and team development—will be pivotal. For instance, by adopting a transformational approach, I will work on enhancing communication to articulate the organizational vision effectively. In terms of conflict management, the servant leadership approach will allow me to prioritize the well-being of my team, ensuring that their voices are heard and valued during challenging situations. Lastly, by focusing on team development through the lens of both theories, I will foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Conclusion

The journey through the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership demonstrates the critical components that ensure effective leadership in any organization. By integrating these practices and applying relevant leadership theories, I am equipped to foster a dynamic and engaging environment in the nonprofit sector. My leadership development action plan will serve as a foundation to enhance my skills further, ensuring I can lead effectively and inspire others in their growth.

References

• Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations. Wiley.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Sage publications.
• Robinson, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2017). Organizational Behavior. Pearson.
• Heifetz, R. A., & Laurie, D. L. (1997). The Work of Leadership. Harvard Business Review, 75(1), 124-134.
• Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. Paulist Press.
• Goleman, D. (2000). Leadership that Gets Results. Harvard Business Review, 78(2), 78-90.
• Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
• Daft, R. L. (2018). Leadership. Cengage Learning.
• Schermerhorn, J. R., & Bachrach, D. G. (2018). Management. Wiley.
• Pearce, C. L., & Sims, H. P. (2002). Vertical vs. shared leadership as predictors of the effectiveness of change management teams. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(3), 590-600.