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Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University

BUSN 6041: Leadership and Organizational Development

NOTE: For registration please contact Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics General Program Inquiries (Email: mba@tru.ca or Tel: 1-877-663-4087).

Students adopt a systematic understanding of the characteristics of a successful leader and what is required by leaders to attune and align organizations to the ever-changing global business environment. Topics include new realities as a force for change; the prime task of leadership – identifying new realties; critical systems thinking; philosophies, theories, and styles of leadership; the systematic leadership approach; authority, obedience, and power; authority, power, leadership, and group dynamics; organizational behavior, group dynamics, and change; the shadow side of leadership; leadership and ethics; systematic leadership and strategy; and 'the leader in you'.

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the new realities facing business organizations today and how organizations need to develop to become adaptive to change.
  • Illustrate the role of leadership in a changing business environment.
  • Incorporate critical systems thinking into organizational decision-making.
  • Distinguish between and illustrate an understanding of the various styles, theories, and philosophies of leadership.
  • Identify the key elements found with systemic leadership and illustrate some of the key challenges in executing tasks.
  • Differentiate between authority and leadership, and illustrate the challenges that come with authority.
  • Recognize the relationship between authority, power, leadership, and group dynamics.
  • Apply a group relations approach to understand human behaviour.
  • Illustrate your understanding of the personal challenges of taking a leadership role.
  • Discuss the relevant ethical principles when making management decisions.
  • Describe an organization's strategy and explain how to prepare the organization to adapt.
  • Examine your own leadership abilities.

Course topics

  • Module 1: Introduction
  • Module 2: Managing and/or Leading Change
  • Module 3: Leading Change Initiatives
  • Module 4: Navigating the Politics of Change
  • Module 5: Leadership and Conflict
  • Module 6: Leading Teams
  • Module 7: Leading Cultural Change
  • Module 8: Transformational Leadership for Organizational/Societal Change
  • Module 9: Learning Journal of Leadership

Required text and materials

Online students are responsible for sourcing and ordering their own textbooks. Please see the list of required textbooks here: https://www.tru.ca/distance/courses/MBA_Textbook_List.pdf.

Please note that publishers may offer several package options that include additional resource material not required in your course. You may purchase a package of your choice as long as it includes the correct author, title and edition listed for your course.

If you have any questions about obtaining the correct textbook, please contact OLMaterials@tru.ca. They will be happy to assist you.

Assessments

Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 70% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory examination.

Discussion Posts 10%
Assignment 1: Case Study 5%
Assignment 2: Case Study 10%
Assignment 3: Political Tactics Response (teams) 10%
Assignment 4: Everest Simulator (teams) 10%
Assignment 5: Case Analysis 15%
Final Exam (mandatory) 40%
Total 100%

Open Learning Faculty Member Information

An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.

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