Leadership Practice and Skills
Overview
This unit aims to introduce key theories and debates relating to leadership traits, behaviours and approaches to influencing organisational culture and outcomes. Different models of leadership are explored using a case based comparative perspective. The unit will draw from challenges dealt with in the private sector, public sector, not-for-profit and non-government organisations. It will provide students with theoretical frameworks to critique the parameters of leadership with respect to building robust organisational culture. This includes responsiveness to issues of risk mitigation, decision making, sound governance and stewardship of resources both physical, and human, in increasingly complex and changing organisational environments
Requisites
Rule
187.5 credit points
AND
MME30001 Engineering Management 1
OR
MGT10009 Contemporary Management Principles
OR
AVA20003 Aviation Business Strategies and Management OR AVA10012 Airline Business Strategy
OR
MME30002 Engineering Management Project
01-June-2025
08-June-2025
02-November-2025
08-February-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Understand the evolution of key leadership theories and critique these theories
- Apply key leadership theories at the organisational and individual level in a range of contexts
- Develop the capacity to shape an ethical and inclusive organisational culture through shared meaning and values
- Develop leadership skills required for effective leadership in both profit and non-profit sectors
- Work collaboratively as a leader or member of a team
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Online Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.50 | 12 weeks | 150 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Studies | Individual | 30 - 50% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Essay | Individual | 25 - 35% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Report | Group | 25 - 35% | 2,3,4,5 |
Content
These topics are representative of the unit content:
- Approaches to leadership, including trait, behavioural, situational, contingency theory and alternative perspectives
- Leadership ethics
- Servant leadership
- Team leadership
- Dyadic theories and followership
- Cross-cultural leadership and diversity
- Indigenous perspectives on leadership
- Leadership across public sector, private sector, not-for-profit and non-government organisations and implications for effective leadership
- Leading in a changing environment
- Leadership development
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.