Dynamics of Contemporary Leadership

This course introduces students to leadership perspectives at individual, group and large system levels. They learn to identify and apply these perspectives and become familiar with a pluralistic conceptual framework that can be applied to most organized settings, including personal, family, small group, private, nonprofit, for-profit, education, health, military, community, national and/or global systems. This course emphasizes individual personal and interpersonal mastery and the way in which our mental models, assumptions, beliefs and thinking patterns affect leadership action.

This course looks at leadership as an integrative and interdisciplinary field of study and addresses complex topics such as equity, diversity, cross-cultural competence and ethics. It explores leadership models that intersect academic disciplines and provides practical tools to bridge differences that create conflict and that divide us personally. Specifically, the course reviews how the integration of body/mind/spirit plays a part in our leadership effectiveness and how focused awareness, presence and mindfulness may develop our leadership abilities and inform effective action. It views leadership through a combined examination of western-based theoretical models and non-western based multicultural principles and approaches. Students apply theories to practice, discover personal leadership abilities, develop cultural competencies and integrate learning within their own areas of interest.

Professionals across most fields and disciplines are challenged to lead, work with and intervene in a variety of unusual situations. Therefore, professionals who develop the leadership skills to facilitate interdependent, cooperative action are needed. This course provides the opportunity for each individual student to identify and advance her/his leadership approach.

Leading change and transformation is a constant challenge in an era of continuous flux. Visionary, trans-disciplinary thinking is needed to facilitate human and planetary change and to enhance interdependent cooperative action. This course analyzes change leadership, system-age thinking, transformation dynamics and strategies for collaborative change interventions. It provides specific theoretical frameworks to help organize thinking, explore assumptions and augment practice. Students create personal change visions and leadership strategies, practice change interventions and develop and implement a collaborative fusion project that applies the method to one of the critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy.