Final Individual Essay (40 points, 20% of grade)
The final essay is your opportunity to summarize your stand on leadership within a group or
team setting. Your essay should encompass two thrust. The first is about you: What is your
leadership philosophy? Who are you, how do you want to act and move in the world, what are
your strengths and weaknesses, what is your commitment to improve, etc.? On this last point,
you will be required to submit a personal development plan that would take effect following the
course. To facilitate this last piece, you will engage in two peer coaching sessions with one of
your classmates during the course.
The second portion of this assignment is to comment on leadership in specific sectors or areas
that are of interest to you. The key requirement in this second area, though, must include a call
or proposal for change. What needs to be different in the world of team leadership from what
we see today and how are you or we going to about changing that or contributing to the change.
This essay should draw upon course concepts, but, more importantly, be a thoughtful, rigorous
assessment of whatever situation you chose.
In addition to the peer coaching session, you will engage in self-reflection and journaling twice
each week during class. This reflective exercise should provide significant fodder for the final
essay.