Capstone: Apl Prac & Princ Ldg

3.3 Assignment. Leadership Frameworks

Getting Started

Have you ever heard someone say, “that's just a theory?” What the speaker probably meant by those words is that whatever had been stated or presented might have sounded like a good idea, but it probably seemed impractical, at least to the hearer. You might even hear someone say, “I prefer reality over a theory.” However, how do we understand or explain reality? How do we learn about correlations, explanations, and predictions? For example, why did the apple fall from the tree and hit Sir Isaac Newton on the head? Sir Isaac Newton had to develop a theory to better understand his reality. 

What are some of your theories for how the things in your life work? 

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Propose key theories and resources to support effective leadership. 

Background Information

Brent Slife and Richard Williams (1995) define a theory this way:  

In its most basic form a theory is an idea, a statement of relationship between two or more phenomena. Theories serve as explanations in that one phenomenon is believed to account for another. (p. 235).   

Alan Bryman (2016) says something similar. He noted: 

The term theory is used in many different ways, but its most common meaning is as an explanation of observed regularities. (p. 19).  

More Information About Theories

Lots of other terms are used to express similar ideas as theory. For example, the word framework reflects a logical arrangement of concepts from one or more theories or methods of research or action. We can talk about theoretical frameworks, conceptual frameworks, and practice frameworks. Models are a visual representation of ideas in relationships. For example, we could use two theories to build a theoretical framework and draw it as a model. Then, if we wanted to test our theoretical framework, we could devise a set of hypotheses deriving from the framework, build a research design that operationalizes the concepts into constructs, call the whole thing (why, what, and how we are conducting the research) a conceptual framework, and then do the research, perhaps deriving a practice framework as a result.  (And if doing this type of data collection and research interests you, consider enrolling in our department’s Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program and, perhaps eventually, our Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership Program. You can check out more of our programs  here. (new tab)  

Sound confusing? It can be. In part, even scholarly literature does not use or define the various terms in the same way. Throughout this academic program, we have avoided delving too deeply into the terminology of theory. Instead, we have focused the program on  applied leadership. That is, taking whatever theories, frameworks, or models, (or whatever we might find or call them) that you have been reading and studying but thinking more about how those ideas relate to principles and practices for effective leadership that you can put into your leadership toolkit.  

Kurt Lewin, who is considered the "intellectual father” (Schein, 1988, p. 239) in organizational change literature, is famous for saying, “nothing is as practical as a good theory” (Lewin, 1945, p. 129). His point is that we can operate in informed and effective ways when we have a good idea of how things work, how pieces fit together, and how concepts and phenomena result in fairly predictable outcomes.   

Instructions

1. Review all the materials assigned in Workshop Three. Consider some of your assignments in past courses. Conduct any new research that might be needed to complete this assignment.  

2. Write a four- to six-page reflection paper (1000 – 1500 words double-spaced in a Word document), addressing the following prompts: 

a. Theories and Frameworks (2 to 3 pages in length): 

i. Review your past coursework. You have studied theories (using the basic definition in the background section) regarding leadership, development, organizations, and more. You’ve had 14 – 15 courses of core or major content. Many ideas, frameworks, and models have been present in the texts, articles, and other material sources you have used. So, which theories, frameworks, and models have been most meaningful to you? Which ones have you gravitated toward that seem most helpful and most practical (Lewin, 1945)? Are there one or two leadership theories that seem good to you? Was there a framework or model for the development of self or others? Was there a framework or collection of ideas about organizations or decision-making that really helped you see things more clearly?  

ii. Identify those five to seven most meaningful theories or frameworks about how things work that can inform your practice of organizational leadership (And don’t worry about figuring out if something is a theory, a framework, or whatever it might be called ). Create some type of graphical presentation of your most meaningful theories. You can use Canva, PPT, or any other tool that helps you present your ideas. Imagine that you are sharing those ideas with others through your tool. What is the theory? What are its key components? How does it work (or inform practice)? What does a leader need to know, and what are the benefits of “doing/knowing” or the potential consequences of not “doing/knowing” those things?

b. Annotated Resources (about 2 pages in length): 

i. Throughout the program, you have been exposed to dozens of texts, articles, videos, and other sources. You have connected with some more than others. Presumably, you have found some meaningful enough that you want to “keep them around” in your personal library for future use. What are those most important and relevant resources? 

ii. Identify approximately ten important resources you have used in the program that may help your future leadership efforts. List each resource as a properly formatted APA reference and then provide a three- to the four-sentence explanation of the most important “thing” (idea, learning, concepts” of that resource. Be concise. (Note. Some of these resources may overlap with your key theories in the previous section).

iii. Check out  this example (new tab)  (look at the APA example) of an annotated bibliography from the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) to help you complete this section of the assignment. 

c. Purpose Statement (no more than 1 paragraph... can be a single sentence). 

i. Integrate your insights from the theories, frameworks, and resources. Condense it down to the “so what” or the “one thing.” In other words, when you synthesize all those theories and resources, what is the most important idea or perspective that will “drive” your practice of leadership? Why is it so central or important? Think of the central idea as your leadership statement of purpose and practice. (Note. Your purpose statement will likely have some connections to the philosophy and perspective statements you composed in previous workshops. However, focus on making this a very clear, concise, memorable statement. What is the point of (your) leadership (informed by your study of leadership theory)?

3. NOTE. Do not include an introduction or conclusion for this paper. This assignment is part of the larger project for the course. You will compose your introduction and conclusion for the larger project in workshop six.  

4. Inasmuch as this is a reflection paper, first-person voice is acceptable.

5. When you have completed your assignment, submit a copy of the graphical and written components using the Assignment submission link by the end of the workshop week. 

6. Feel free to utilize  Academic Writer (new tab)  (APA formatting resource) and Grammarly (grammar and plagiarism check) on the  IWU Resources (new tab)  page.

a. All papers must be written per  APA Guidelines (7th ed) (new tab) ,  including format guidelines. Papers must be logical, well organized, grammatically correct, and have correct spelling and sentence structure.  Write in complete paragraphs of at least three sentences in length. 

b. Proofread your paper using Grammarly. Grammarly is provided to you as a student at no cost to proofread and spellcheck your paper. Proofreading your papers prior to submitting them ensures the highest quality of presentation. 

7. The maximum number of pages is given to encourage you to be concise and use meaningful words.  

8. Failure to meet these minimum writing and formatting requirements will result in a lowering of the overall grade.  Use a #12 black font in Times New Roman.