Project Leadership & Communication for MSBAPM (MGMT 5620)

Fridays: 5:30-9:30 pm
Hartford GBLC

__________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTOR: Eric D. Johnson
CONTACT: Eric.Johnson@business.uconn.edu
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COURSE PURPOSE
The purpose of this course is to give you a deeper understanding of project leadership and
communication to increase your ability to be a successful project manager.
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Generate critical competencies for leadership
Identify ways to further develop your own leadership potential
Understand various behavioral styles within teams and how to lead different team members.
Explain how to build and use a leadership network
Identify various leadership styles and the benefits of each
Understand strategies for leading effective teams
Identify power bases that leaders use
COURSE MATERIALS
Readings and cases are available in a course pack through the UCONN Co-op and are posted in the
Course Readings link on HuskyCT. If you do not know how to access HuskyCT, please talk to me as
soon as possible. PowerPoint slides and additional materials will be posted on HuskyCT.
CLASS FORMAT
This course will be interactive and discussion-based, and will incorporate faculty and student-led
discussions.
COURSE DELIVERABLES AND EVALUATION
There are FOUR evaluated deliverables in this course.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP CASE WRITE-UPS
LEADERSHIP IN THE NEWS PRESENTATIONS
PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN (FINAL)

15%
35%
15%
35%

DELIVERABLE 1: CLASS PARTICIPATION

Tell me and Ill forget. Teach me and Ill remember. Involve me and Ill learn
-W. Edwards Deming, adapted from Confucius
This is an advanced course which will be delivered using a case-based discussion format. Course
success is based on a high level of student engagement and thus, your evaluation will be weighted on
your individual contribution during class. Regular attendance and high-level contribution are not only
expected, but essential.
DELIVERABLE 2: INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP CASE WRITE-UPS
Students are responsible for turning in 4 two-page (ONLY) write-ups linking the case to the
readings and course materials. Write-ups are due on the evening that the case will be discussed.
Thoroughness and the link between course materials and readings are the basis used for grading.
The class write-ups are evaluated on (1) the extent to which readings (articles) are incorporated the
into the case analysis (when relevant); (2) the quality of the analysis of the case including depth of
analysis and organization of ideas; and (3) stating a position and developing a compelling argument
to support that position; or stating a recommendation and developing a compelling argument for that
recommendation.

DELIVERABLE 3: LEADERSHIP IN THE NEWS PRESENTATIONS

Because leadership is a very important topic, there are many articles on it appearing daily in
the popular press. Every article approaches the topic from a different angle and every author
has his or her way of introducing leadership concepts. What can we learn from the current
press and how can we incorporate what is currently happening into our classroom learning
experience.

To explore this student teams will lead an in-class discussion of current articles that relate to
leadership.

Students will load 1- 2 articles (or links) to HuskyCT so that the rest of the class can read and
be prepared to discuss.

Grading will be based on the thoroughness of the discussion and ability to engage the class in
discussion note here everyone impacts everyone elses grade! You ARE NOT responsible
for presenting readings or cases assigned. Grades will be based on instructor rating, class
rating, and peer evaluations.

Groups will be formed during the second class

Presentations or activities should be about 30 minutes long.

DELIVERABLES 4 & 5: PERSONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The specific goal of the Personal Leadership Development Plan (PLDP) is for you to create a plan
that identifies how you can and hopefully will improve your leadership competencies based upon
your own leadership-career goals and self- assessments. The plan is meant to be a living, organic, and
flexible document.
The PLDP is evaluated on the (1) reflective specificity with which you complete the plan and (2)
how logically you connect your leadership improvement goals with your current leadership style
(based upon assessments) as well as your overall career goals. A detailed description of this
assignment is posted on HuskyCT and will be introduced during class.
The PLDP draft should be 1-2 pages in length and outline your plan for the project. This will not be
graded, but will provide you with a formal opportunity for feedback.
Final PLDP is due at the last class meeting at which time you can also meet with instructors
individually to discuss your plan. Submit all materials in a single document.
GRADING STANDARDS:
The case write-ups are due by the beginning of class (5:30 pm, Fridays). Please submit your
assignments electronically via email. Late assignments, if accepted, the grade will be significantly
reduced. If you are traveling out of town or have any other issue that makes on-time submission
difficult, please let me know as early as possible so we can discuss how you can deliver the
assignments in a timely fashion.
Grade cutoffs points are shown below:
Grade % of Points
A+ 97-100
A 93-96.9
A- 90-92.9
B+ 87-89.9
B 83-86.9
B- 80-82.9
C 70-79.9
F 0-69.9
Protocol for Assignments:
1. 1 margins, 12 pt Times New Roman, double-spaced.
2. References do not count towards page limit (in-text citations do count)
3. Please submit all assignments as a .doc or .docx file.
4. Name the file LastName,FirstInitial [Case # or PLDP draft/final]
a. ex. Johnson, E. Case 1.docx
Johnson, E. PLDP Final.doc
PLAGARISM, CITATIONS, & REFERENCES

For all assignments, you must properly cite sources of information as well as the ideas and words of
others. Misrepresenting someone elses work as ones own is a serious offense in any academic
setting and it will not be condoned. Cheating of any sort will not be tolerated and will result in a
failure of the exam or assignment, deduction in the class participation grading component, and
potential failure of the course. ALL assignments will be submitted through HuskyCT SafeAssign.
Assignments with >10% redundancy (not including proper citations or quotes) will be personally
reviewed and meeting will be called between professor and student.
A student who knowingly assists another student in committing an act of academic misconduct shall
be equally accountable for the violation, and shall be subject to the sanctions and other remedies
described in The Student Code. For details refer to: http://www.dos.uconn.edu/student_code.html.
Appendix A section B.- Conduct Rules and Regulation item 1 - Violation of the Academic Integrity in
Undergraduate Education and Research.
Purdues Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a great resource if you are unfamiliar with citations.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Please see me if you have any questions regarding plagiarism, citations, or references. I take
plagiarism very seriously and expect the highest level of academic integrity from everyone.

CLASS SCHEDULE
Friday, September 4
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE AND CLASS MEMBERS
INTRODUCTION TO THE PLDP
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Readings
What Leaders Really Do (HBR, 2001, R0111F)

Friday, September 11
WHAT IS LEADERSHIP AND CAN LEADERSHIP BE TAUGHT?
Readings
Why should anyone be led by you? (2000, HBR, Product R00506)
Becoming the Boss, (2007, HBR, Product R0701D)
Case 1 (write-up due)
Is the Rookie Ready, (2009, HBR, R0912X)

Friday, September 18
BUILDING AND LEADING EFFECTIVE TEAMS
Reading
Leadership is a Conversation (2009, HBR, R1206D)
Managing Teams for High Performance, (2007, HBP Product No 2304; pages 9-15)
How Will You Make Your Team a Team? (p.9)
Make Your Good Team Great (p.11-12)
Team Camaraderie: Can You Have Too Much? (p. 13-15)
Case 2 (write-up due)
*The Army Crew Team (2004 HBS Product No. 5-404-117)

Friday, September 25
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Reading
Managing Teams for High Performance, (2007, HBP Product No 2304; pages 5-7; 17-19)
Why Some Teams Succeed (and So Many Dont) (p.5-7)
Are You Rewarding Solo Performance at the Teams Expense? (p.17-19)
Self-Assessments for PLDP Bring to class for review
Other Notes/Deliverables
Due today: email your group topic for Leadership in the News presentations

Friday, October 2
LEADING FOR CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
Reading
Four Lessons in Adaptive Leadership
Creativity and the Role of the Leader
Learning to Lead in China - Scarsi
Learning to Lead in China - Faye
- Discuss Faye's and Scarsi's learning styles and leadership styles

Friday, October 9
LEADERSHIP WITHOUT A TITLE
Readings
Is Shared Leadership the Key to Team Success? (2009, Organizational Dynamics, Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 234238,
2009)
Empowering Your Employees to Empower Themselves (2010, HBR)
The Most Overlooked Leadership Skill (2013, HBR)
Case 3 (write-up due)
Using your Experiences
Think of a time when you assumed a leadership role, yet were not formally labeled a leader. Why did you step into
that role? What were the circumstances that allowed you to take on those responsibilities? Were you an effective
leader? How could your leadership skills have been improved/better received?
Other Notes/Deliverables
Last day to submit draft of PLDP for instructor feedback (by 6pm)
Group presentations

Friday, October 16
LEADERSHIP AND NETWORKING
Readings
How Leaders Create and Use Networks (2007, HBR, R0701C)
How to Build your Network (2005, HBR, R0512B)
How Network Assessment Exercise (2002, HBR, 497-002) Will be completed in class
Case 4 (write-up due)
Heidi Roizen (2000, HBS, Product No. 9-800-228)
Other Notes/Deliverables
Other-Assessments for PLDP should be completed by today
Group presentations

Friday, October 23
LEADERSHIP STYLES
Readings
Level 5 Leadership, (2005, HBR, R0507M)
We can Measure the Power of Charisma, HBR, Jan-Feb 2010
Coach Knight: The will to Win (2006, HBS, Product No. 406-043)
Coach K: A Matter of the Heart (2005, HBS, Product No. 406-044)
Other Notes/Deliverables
Other-Assessments for PLDP should be completed by today
Remaining group presentations
Other Notes/Deliverables
PLDP Due by end of day (5:00 PM local time), November 4, 2015

Friday, October 30
LEADERSHIP TOOLS AND ETHICS
Readings
Ethics Readings in HuskyCT
Video
Instructor meets to review PLDP drafts
Closing Remarks

Other Notes/Deliverables
PLDP Due by end of day (5:00 PM local time), November 4, 2015