Capstone Project (Leadership Journey: Leadership Learned, Leadership Practiced, Leadership Forward)

By: Tunisia I.E. Al-Salahuddin- Colorado State University Global CampusMASTER in the SCIENCE of ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Under the Collegiate Direction of Dr. Brandy Blunt

Introduction My educational experience within Colorado State University-Global Campus has been a journey of excellence within

learning. Being a Master of Organizational Leadership student, has showed me how important every aspect of

management and leadership is along with the practical knowledge and book knowledge. Every class that I have taken at

CSU-Global Campus has prepared me for Leadership within business and organization along with understanding how my

practical application can be a investment to any infrastructure that I develop. “Many businesses depend on organizational

leaders to make decisions regarding creatively implementing new programs, cutting costs, and training employees in an

effort to make the company more efficient, effective, and successful” (CSU, 2015). Within this PowerPoint presentation I

will elaborate on the array of classes that I have taken for the purpose of higher education and Mastery. I will also

elaborate on the importance within the leadership realm and how all stakeholders, strategic thinking, organizational

development, human behavior, life long learning, and present challenges along with past challenges within leadership can

affect the present and future within leadership.

Reflection of Courses

Managing Performan

ce for Results

Business Ethics and Corporate

Social Responsibility

Human Resource Planning

Critical Evaluation of Research and

Theory

Effective Organizations: Theory and

Practice

Decision Theory within

the Global Marketplace

Contemporary Business Writing and

Communication

Leading Diverse Teams

Capstone - Organizational Leadership

Reflection of Courses ORG520 -1:  Managing Performance for ResultsThis course incorporates the human resource management functions from the managerial perspective with the concerns of organizational performance and stakeholders from the leadership viewpoint (CSU Syllabus,2015).

ORG530 -1:  Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility“In this course, students explore the ethical considerations that guide and inform business decisions and strategies. Students learn the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to understand and apply ethics from social, economic, and environmental perspectives” (CSU Syllabus, 2015).

ORG522 or HRM522 -1:  Human Resource PlanningWithin this course I “Examine the cross cultural issues in managing organization behavior. From a global management perspective, explore bargaining behavior, recruitment, selection, training, and compensation issues” (CSU Syllabus,2015)

ORG575 -1:  Critical Evaluation of Research and Theory“In this course, students learn to evaluate research and theory in an applied business setting. Students gain a comprehensive knowledge of research related to the leading and managing of business organizations from both a consumer and a creator perspective. Topics include the research process, theoretical frameworks, qualitative and quantitative approaches, and applied research design within an organizational context” (CSU Syllabus, 2015).

ORG502 -3:  Effective Organizations: Theory and Practice “In this course, students gain an understanding of managing operational and strategic issues in public and private organizations facing accelerated social, economic, and technological changes. Students will examine organizational theory, strategic thinking and management, and theories guiding decision making, leadership, organizational culture, and change management” (CSU Syllabus, 2015).MGT572 ORG 525 -1:  Decision Theory within the Global MarketplaceThis course analyzes the roles of leaders and managers in organizational decision making, at both the individual and organizational levels. In the contact of organizational theories of behavior and leadership, students consider how decision and choice theory are applied in organizational settings. Practical problem solving and conflict management skills are practiced through the application of decision-making tools and leadership approaches for leading change in professional settings.

Reflection of CoursesORG525 -1:  Decision Theory in a Global Marketplace

This course analyzes the roles of leaders and managers in organizational decision making, at both the individual and organizational levels. In the contact of organizational theories of behavior and leadership, students consider how decision and choice theory are applied in organizational settings. Practical problem solving and conflict management skills are practiced through the application of decision-making tools and leadership approaches for leading change in professional settings.

ORG536 -1:  Contemporary Business Writing and Communication

This course is designed to provide practicing professionals with the skills to develop internal and external communication strategies. Students learn how to identify audiences and target messages and to select styles, technologies, and formats of written, visual, and oral communication best suited to accomplishing organizational objectives.

ORG555 -1:  Leading Diverse Teams

In this course, students gain a comprehensive understanding of diversity as it applies to strategic planning, cultural change, and team dynamics. Students learn to identify the realities of developing and implementing diversity initiatives for the organization and the workforce, as well as explore emerging issues in diversity management.

ORG579 – 1 Capstone-Organizational Leadership

Students have the option of selecting ORG579 or ORG581 as the capstone course of this program. See the Academic Catalog for full course descriptions. Both options represent a culmination of the knowledge and skills gain throughout the M.S. in Organizational Leadership program.

Analyzation of Individuals and Groups

Often times a SWOT analysis will be used to determine the strengths and weakness of a individual within any organization. This is usually done by a PMS team member by using a feedback evaluation form “To carry out a SWOT analysis effectively, it’s a good idea to get a team together, drawn from across the business, for a brain-storming session. Consider each of the four SWOT areas in turn, and make note of all the ideas, suggestions and comments which are made. These can be reviewed and edited after the brain-storming session” (Shell, 2015). Individuals need to be tested within organizations to measure their abilities within the work place and to see where they are a excellent fit.

Individuals

Analyzation of Individuals and Groups

Doing a group analysis is also efficient for groups and this to is done by the PMS team members. What the PMS team usually does is use a feedback form to analysis the entire team as a whole within a number scale regarding group cohesiveness “Once these have been identified, you should create an action plan to ensure that something is done! Assign someone to each point and set deadlines. Review the results of your analysis regularly to determine if anything has changed and what has been achieved” (Shell, 2015). A SWOT Analysis can also create better group brainstorming!

Groups

Developed Knowledge of Strategies, Stakeholders and Enhance Organizational Capacity (1)

When developing strategies it is always a good plan to create policies, procedures, and bylaws when stakeholders are involved. By doing this in the now and for the future it will answer all questions for the investors to create optimal investor relationships. Within these policies, procedures, and by-laws the capacity by which the organization conducts business at will and should be noted within the bylaws for all to review.

Developed Knowledge of Strategies, Stakeholders and Enhance Organizational Capacity (2)

When a organization is functioning at a full capacity there must be set rules and regulations to be followed by the board and the clients as well. “Policies communicate key priorities and provide broad guidance on how to achieve goals. However, for a policy to realize its intended impact, it must be operationalized into concrete, actionable steps and the resources (human and financial) needed to implement those steps must be identified. This process can be referred to as strategy development, strategic planning, action planning, implementation planning, or operational planning, depending on the context” (CDRG, 2014). Every organization should have policies, procedures, and bylaws when working as a corporation or if they plan on crossing bodies of water to do business for safety measurements

Evaluate Human Behavior Within Leadership

Leaders within any organization must be effective in every way, and one of the utmost habits that a effective business leader must showcase is having efficient communication skills. “Communication is the most important skill in life. You spend years learning how to read and write, and years learning how to speak. But what about listening? What training have you had that enables you to listen so you really, deeply understand another human being?” (Covey, 89) As Covey stated within his book “ The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” communication essential within business development to ensure that the business flourishes and grows. Communication is a behavior that some leaders have naturally but others are taught along with leadership.

Demonstrating the Ability to Create and Sustain Lifelong Learning

When demonstrating life long learning you must be motivated and eager to teach and learn. Often within education and business the leader must show the team motivation in order for other to feel the say way within that infrastructure. Be a motivated learner can make any process seem easier or take some of the burden off of the learning process. "Motivation is key in the establishment and further development of quality in higher education", stated Jennifer Rowley (1996) discussing the importance of motivating teaching staff in higher education. The same can be said of a need to motivate students to learn, which, in addition to research, is one of the two ultimate goals of the institutions of higher education” (Zagreb,2006). Leaders always demonstrate their abilities through their actions.

Promoting Cohesive Culture Within an Organization! As a student learner and a business

organizational leader what I have learned within business is there must be group cohesiveness in order for that business to flourish. Many educators and leaders say there must be a meeting of the minds and excellent group collaboration for success and I to would have to agree. “Workplace teams can take many different developmental forms, ranging from work groups to self directed work teams. According to Klimoski and Mohammed (1994) the content, rate of development, and formation of shared mental models might differ according to the developmental level of the team” (Kline,2009). The overall factor within cohesiveness is to ensure that the group works in a productive manner to produce vital results that work.

Assess Current Challenges Within Leadership! Some of the current challenges that many

have faced within leadership seem to be coming answered within many corporations today. There is more resolution within businesses when it comes to development and building for the future. Challenges that many leader face are valuable dedicated men and women that are willing to put in the hard work to complete assignments and help with the building of infrastructures. It is surely imperative that many organizations and corporations use leaders to help with hiring of employees to ensure they pick the most qualified for the position and someone whom is willing to put in the faithful hours.

Assessing Challenges and What I Have Learned!

Check the books! You should as a leader know the stats and numbers of your business.

Have regular meetings with other managers and team members to ensure everyone is on the same page

Create a PMS team to do all company evaluations and to also help with policies and procedures.

Use a Change Agent to help with the transition of any new developments within the company.

Assess Historical Challenges Within Leadership!

History has shown us how significant woman leadership has grown and the challenges they have over come to be consider for any higher paid position. The woman within the work place use to be no more than a nurse or secretary but now women leaders flourish to CEO, CFO, CCO, and business owners. “Modern organizations demand that those who lead them must increase their capability to be effective. Modern and forward thinking organizations also belief in using the available talent pool effectively and indiscriminately” (Sharif, Sinoo, El-Mashad, & Birinci, 2014). Knowledge is power and in order to become a effective leader you must take the initiative and apply yourself to be skilled and train within that leadership position.

Leadership calls for so much more than just being a man, but rather having the knowledge, wisdom, practical knowledge, and book sense. The challenges that once where there as a leader within the work place are almost non existent when it comes to hiring women verses men even though woman still have hurdles to over come. As a student learner and a leader I do not think that women should burn their bras, but embrace woman hood and development as educated leading women. History has also show us through the ages that women are wise and their leadership usually starts within the home.

What Skills Can I Bring Into A Organization to Be an Efficient and Affective Leader

Knowledge of the stated position-Wisdom is power and having the proper education within the stated position will make me effective and efficient daily.

Group Collaboration Skills- Building teams is a plus for me it also shows that I know how to group people together that will produce a product or plan.

Time Management Skills- Managing time is a plus for any leader; this helps when you have projects that need to be done in a timely manner.

Practical Knowledge- The years of me being over a 501c and the training work with grant funded programs gives me the hands on practical knowledge that I can use in any organization.

Book Knowledge-The education that I obtained through higher education will help me to create policies, procedures, and bylaws as a effective leader.

Leadership Skills- Through training and also years of corporation leadership my skills would be an asset when I work within any organization.

CONCLUSION While obtain my Master in the Science of Organizational Leadership I was able to grasp the full concept of organization leadership, Management, and Change Agent with a form foundation within the knowledge of leadership. I was able to understand the full concepts of diverse leadership models from that will be able to help shape and form the type of leader that I will for the now and the future.

ReferencesCovey, S. (2007). The Transformational Leader Report. Retrieved September 25, 2015, from http://www.transformationalleadership.net/products/Transformational

Covey, Stephen (1989). "The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People (1989), by Stephen R. Covey in The 25 Most Influential Business Management Books". Time. Retrieved January 4, 2011.

CSU-Global Campus. (2015) Retrieved September 23, 2015, from https://csuglobal.edu/graduate/programs/masters-degrees/organizational-leadership/

Kline, D. A. (2000). A case study of intuitive decision-making in cohesive workplace teams (Order No. 9962162).Available from ABI/INFORM Complete. (304652832). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/304652832?accountid=38569

ReferencesSWOT analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. (2015). Retrieved September 23, 2015.

Sharif, K. J., Sinoo, M., El-Mashad, I., & Birinci, S. (2014). Female corporate leadership within a fast developing and culturally distinct economy- looking at current perspective and developing future strategies. Paper presented at the 596-603. Retrieved fromhttp

://search.proquest.com/docview/1635276776?accountid=38569

Sladoljev-Agejev, T., Bahovec, V., Kurnoga-Zivadinovic, N., & Spiljak, V. (2006). MANAGING MOTIVATION OF BUSINESS STUDENTS - A TEACHING STRATEGY AND A PATH TO LIFE-LONG LEARNING. Paper presented at the 454-466. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/217743035?accountid=38569

Syllabus References CSU-Global Campus. (2015). Retrieved September 23, 2015, from http://

www.csuglobal.edu.hk/index-244.htm

THANK YOU

QUESTIONS or COMMENTS?