HR6002 Leadership in Organizations
HR6002 Leadership in Organizations
Assessment Outline
This assignment requires you to do the following:
- Critically reflect on your own experience of leadership and suggest areas for your own development, including an Action Plan (1500 words). Addresses learning outcome 4 and 6.
- Use leadership theory and concepts in the analysis and evaluation of the leadership of Elon Musk CEO of Telsa (1500 words). Addresses learning outcomes 1,2,3,5
Part one
You are advised to focus on one or two specific experiences of leadership – either where you were in a leadership role, or where you could observe ‘leadership’ in action even if you were not a ‘leader’. These experiences might be drawn from your work experience or from other experience (voluntary work, student experience in working in a group, parenting, sport or other leisure activities). The experience should be one where you were an active participant. You should briefly describe the situation and evaluate the leadership process using relevant theory and concepts drawn from the academic literature on leadership. You should reflect on what the leadership experience taught you about your own leadership style and how you need to develop. In suggesting areas for your own development you should focus on skills or attributes that you think you need to develop, based on analysis of the experience. You should situate this reflection within the concepts and theory discussed in class and/or through your reading for the module. As an appendix you should attach a development plan to provide concrete evidence of how you have sought to improve your leadership.
Part two
The second part of the assignment requires you to critically evaluate the leadership of Elon Musk CEO of Tesla. You should consider the effectiveness of Musk’s leadership qualities from the perspectives of the leadership theories explored on the module. Your essay could consider the following theories; trait and behavioural theories, situational and contingency theory, transformational and transactional leadership, distributed leadership, ethical leadership and critical leadership perspectives.
You should read widely on theories of leadership, styles of leadership and critical leadership, and apply these critically to Elon Musk. You should also incorporate a regard for the ethics of leadership. Sources relating to Musk’s leadership style are available on this Moodle Page. It is important you read these in-depth in the context of the leadership theories we are exploring on the module so that you can form your own argument in relation to how theories of leadership apply to his leadership.
Sample Answer
Part One: Personal Leadership Reflection
1. Introduction & Experience Description
I led a university project team to plan a charity event. As team leader, I coordinated five students over eight weeks to organise logistics, funding, and promotions. This role required communication, delegation, and motivation.
2. Leadership Process Analysis
Using Blake & Mouton’s Managerial Grid, I aimed for a Team Management style, high task focus and high people focus. I set clear deadlines and held regular check-ins to keep everyone engaged.
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Strength: Good rapport and clear objectives helped us meet targets.
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Weakness: I struggled to delegate creative tasks, trying to control the event design personally.
Using Tannenbaum and Schmidt’s continuum, I began with autocratic decisions but later gave team members more freedom, which improved their enthusiasm and performance.
3. Reflection Using Theory
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Transformational Elements: I tried to share a vision so the team felt the event was important. However, my unpredictability in scheduling sometimes caused confusion.
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Emotional Intelligence (Goleman): I used empathy to support team members facing personal challenges, but I failed to regulate my own stress, impacting my patience.
4. Lessons for My Leadership Style
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I favour involvement and inspiration, aligning with democratic and transformational styles.
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I need to improve emotional regulation to handle stress calmly.
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I must improve delegation skills by trusting others with tasks rather than leaning towards directive control.
5. Development Areas & Action Plan
| Skill Area | Reason for Development | Action Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional Self-Regulation | Stress affected decision-making during crunch time | Attend stress management training, practice mindfulness daily |
| Delegation | Too much carried out by me reduced team empowerment | Enrol in management course on delegation, assign one design sub-role in next project |
| Confidence in Creativity | Frequently reverted to my own vision instead of delegating | Take a creative leadership workshop, ask for peer feedback rather than impose ideas |
This plan shows clear steps for improving my leadership approach over the next six months.
Part Two: Leadership Evaluation – Elon Musk
1. Introduction
Elon Musk’s leadership at Tesla is high-profile and polarising. Known for visionary ideas and bold execution, his style is worth analysing through leadership theory to assess strengths and ethical concerns.
2. Trait & Behavioural Theory
Musk shows visionary, risk-taking, high-energy traits, aligned with classic trait theory. Behaviourally, he uses a task-oriented style when chasing deadlines. However, he can be inhumane and demanding, lacking in people focus as per Blake & Mouton’s Grid.
Continued...
