Leadership Studies Commons^™

Historical Case Study Of Stella L. Wood, Bonnie G. Ostlund

Theses and Graduate Projects

The focus of this historical case study is to examine the life of Stella Louise Wood, an educator recognized for her leadership in public kindergarten and teacher training in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She spearheaded the campaign for free public kindergartens in the city in 1896, and was the leader of its teacher training school for the following fifty-two years. In that time, Stella Wood shared her strong commitment to the youngest students and her dynamic spirit with over 2,500 teacher trainees, known as Miss Wood's girls. She lived to approve a merger of her school with Macalester College in St. Paul, …

Malcolm X And Symbolic Convergence Theory, Jill L. Pittelkow

Theses and Graduate Projects

The focus of this paper will be the application of symbolic convergence theory to the leadership attributes of Malcolm X.

Symbolic Convergence Theory focuses on determining and identifying symbols in diverse communities and showing how the meanings for these symbols intersect to create shared results.

In the case of Malcolm X, several ideas which initially sounded radical and frightening to many white people became more solid and reasonable when presented by themes consonant with mainstream American culture.

By focusing on specific examples used by Malcolm X to present his ideas to diverse cultures, I hope to emphasize the importance of …

How Complex Adaptive Systems Address Manufacturing Planning System Challenges And Provide New Leadership Perspectives, Charles V. Nemer

Theses and Graduate Projects

Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRPII) is viewed as an organizational system through the metaphor of complex adaptive systems (CAS) in order to gain new insights that benefit manufacturing leadership and resolve challenges faced by MRPII. This thesis examines the history of manufacturing to reveal the metaphor under which MRPII currently operates and then introduces the metaphor of CAS, thus resulting in new direction for the manufacturing leader. Based on a review of the existing literature in manufacturing and in complexity theory, the work of Holland (1995) and Daft (1992) are central to establishing the relationship of MRPII to organizational and complexity …

The Significance Of Emotional Intelligence In The Life Of Jimmy Carter, Susan M. James

Theses and Graduate Projects

According to recent studies, the most important predictor of success is not knowledge or technical aptitude. Rather, "Emotional Intelligence", a concept developed by author and former Harvard professor Daniel Goleman in the 1990s, is the foundation for success. Goleman describes emotional intelligence as the ability to monitor one's own feelings and the feelings of others, and to use this information to guide actions and decisions.

This paper examines the theory of emotional intelligence and its significance in the life of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States. Known as the most ineffectual president of his time, he has …

Transformational Leadership: A Case Study Of Vaclav Havel, Neal Hauser

Theses and Graduate Projects

The focus of this political-historical case study is based on the leadership style of Vaclav Havel, the current president of the Czech Republic. The writer, playwright, prisoner and dissident led the peaceful overthrow of the Communist government in Czechoslovakia in 1989, and was the country's first democratically elected president in over fifty years. The premise of this case study has two parts.The first part identifies the leadership characteristics and qualities demonstrated by Vaclav Havel. Part two consists of evaluating Havel's leadership style with contemporary theories of leadership.

This study will show that Havel exhibits a transformational leadership style demonstrated by …

Foundational Processes Of Manufacturing Leaders: How Complex Adaptive Systems Address Manufacturing Planning System Challenges And Provide New Leadership Perspectives, Charles V. Nemer

Theses and Graduate Projects

Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRPII) is viewed as an organizational system through the metaphor of complex adaptive systems (CAS) in order to gain new insights that benefit manufacturing leadership and resolve challenges faced by MRPII. This thesis examines the history of manufacturing to reveal the metaphor under which MRPII currently operates and then introduces the metaphor of CAS, thus resulting in new direction for the manufacturing leader. Based on a review of the existing literature in manufacturing and in complexity theory, the work of Holland (1995) and Daft (1992) are central to establishing the relationship of MRPII to organizational and complexity …

Service Learning For The Sheridan School Community And Beyond, Susan J. Ferrell

Theses and Graduate Projects

This Leadership Application Project outlined various aspects of youth service learning. This proiect included information about the history and evolution of service learning, included definitions and examples of service learning, and differentiated service learning from community service and experiential education. Emphasis was placed on the importance of reflection in service learning and on the expected positive outcomes for students. Based on interviews with colleagues, a teacher handbook was developed to accompany the research about service learning. The handbook included general information for teachers about youth service learning, as well as examples of lessons and service learning units.

An Investigation Of The Augsburg Leadership Development Model And Its Gender Role Association, Jackie Holien

Theses and Graduate Projects

Traditional models of leadership have been associated with either masculine or feminine traits, as illustrated by the transactional and transformational styles, respectively. A new model of leadership has emerged that requires that both feminine and masculine traits be incorporated into a leader's style. The Augsburg Leadership Development Model supports this new style of leadership by maintaining a neutral gender role association.

Identifying A Need For The Development Of A Culturally Based Leadership Program For The Native American Ho-Chunk Youth, Charity Thunder

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study explores the need for a culturally based leadership program to help the Native American Ho-Chunk youth become effective leaders in their communities. There are but a few studies done on Native American leadership so I have chiefly relied on the empirical evidence collected from several Summer Ho-Chunk Youth Leadership Conferences. As a result, learning the Hocak language was identified as being critical to keeping the culture and traditions alive.

We proceed to do this in four parts. We begin with the statement of the problem. Secondly, we define and clarify terms such as: American Indian, tribe, vision, sovereignty, …

A Plan For Youth Leadership Development In The Lutheran Church, Stacy M. Frost

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper reviews a Youth Leadership Model which promotes teen involvement in the Lutheran Church. In the past, Easter Lutheran Church experienced low teen participation, due to a faulty understanding of what teens' roles in the church should be. The presumption was that teens should "earn" leadership rather than "learn" it. Teens were put into positions of "helpers" or "'gophers," thus the church was not providing opportunities for faith development or relationship building.

In 1996, I personally created the Youth Leadership Development Model which is based on a theory of mentorship. The team promotes teens serving as leaders in the …

Exploration And Analysis Of Corporate Social Responsibility: A Study Of Corporate Social Responsibility And Minnesota Organizations, Jessica A. Viljaste

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study was designed explore the importance and increase of corporate social responsibility and determine what response level of behavior and actions select Minnesota based organizations are currently practicing using the model and measurements of S. Prakash Sethi's "Dimensions of Corporate Social Performance: An Analytical Framework."

The results of my research show that the majority of the Minnesota organizations surveyed claim to be currently practicing at least proscriptive or reactive levels of behavior and action. More organizations claimed their behavior and actions as preventative in regard to their ethical norms, social accountability, and operating strategy than the other dimensions. One …

Influences On Sales Practices As Perceived By Individuals In A Sales Position, Kim M. Mcwilliams

Theses and Graduate Projects

There is no doubt that in today's business environment, organizations face stiff competition. Survival of the organization turns toward measurement of success by means of quantitative as compared to qualitative approaches. In other words, the raw sales numbers are often used as a measurement of success, not necessarily the quality of the sales transaction. The integral link between the organization's product and service to the customer resides with the sales associate. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of what influences personal ethics and attitudes regarding sales practices from the perspective or experience of the sales associate. …

Leadership Development In The Christian Church And Churches Of Christ In Northeast Nebraska, Wayne Dykstra

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This project/thesis focuses on the leadership needs of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ in northeast Nebraska in general and of Wakefield Christian Church in particular. The leadership context of Wakefield Christian Church was analyzed utilizing a congregational profile inventory, the presentation of a leadership development course, an evaluation instrument, and conversations and interviews of the church leadership. The success or failure of organizations will depend upon the quality of the leadership. The objective of this project was to provide a leadership course which would produce better leaders who could make a difference in the kingdom of God and …

The Language Of Leadership, Lisa K. Larsen

Theses and Graduate Projects

Companies serve their constituents, produce goods and sell services through the relationships they build which serve to increase the company's market share. This sustains the business. Otherwise, they are forgotten. This appears to be the case with any viable company. Companies, across many industries, cultivate their relationships by utilizing many economic and social tools. But, no tool is more important to gain a corporation competitive edge than the corporate commodity called jargon. I began thinking of the corporate arena as a place that needs effective leadership to explain the jargon that describes it. I decided to investigate the common business …

Towards A New Theory Of Personal Teaching Efficacy: The Development And Testing Of A New Model And Scale Using Teachers And Student Teachers Participating In A Reflective Practitioner Model Practicum, Jan Shields Edd

Dissertations

Research shows that teachers' sense of efficacy is a central mediator of teacher effectiveness and is related to student achievement. Generally, the results have been interpreted using a two-factor model of teacher efficacy. However, most researchers consider teachers' sense of efficacy to be a multidimensional construct with many underlying factors. This study introduces a new theory of personal teaching efficacy which proposes that personal teaching efficacy is best explained from a volitional perspective. The first purpose of the study was to reconceptualize the personal teaching efficacy construct and develop a model and scale. As a result of factor analysis techniques, …

Beyond Diversity: Multiculturalism In The Workplace, Jerry A. Fenner

Theses and Graduate Projects

Although traditional diversity training programs have increased awareness and sensitivity to issues such as race, gender and sexual orientation, the success of these programs may be enhanced by reframing them in terms of multiculturalism. This will allow the programs to be more accepted by everyone, since everyone can identify with several different cultures.

In this paper different facets of culture are first, identified and explored. The importance of culture as a screen or filter with which we face the world is discussed.

The second section of the paper makes a case as to why it is in the economic best …

The Relationship Of Principal Leadership Styles And School-Site Conditions To Stress Levels Of Elementary School Teachers, Mark Nicholas Remy Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if principal leadership styles and school-site conditions were associated with elementary teachers' stress levels. The study focused on the relationship between the independent variables of principal leadership styles and school-site conditions and the dependent variables of teacher stress levels. A survey composed of the Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ), Teacher Stress Inventory (TSI) and a demographic information sheet was administered to 585 teachers from 28 elementary schools. Tins study was conducted in the San Diego Unified School District during the 1998–1999 school year. The LBDQ measured two dimensions of leadership: Consideration and …

Community Service Day, Dotty J. Giordano, Ian F. Koffler

Honors Theses

There is a strong need for students at the University of Richmond to increase their involvement within the Richmond community, primarily in the area of service. This needed change in the relationship between the University and the city stems from an overwhelming concern expressed by Richmond students who do not feel as if they are connected to their surrounding community. One of the most dramatic ways to improve this relationship is to encourage college students to express themselves intellectually and socially through community service.

Today's society requires service from both leaders and followers of all ages. This focus of service …

Story As A Means To Distributed Cognition In Dispute Mediation, Mary Lindsay Edd

Dissertations

In spite of a long history and wide-spread usage, dispute mediation has developed largely in the absence of theories to corroborate its practices. Mediators are taught techniques during their training to help disputants communicate; however, the kinds, patterns and evocation of disputant discourse that may further advance the mediation process have received little attention. In particular, stories may have been overlooked as a means in the creation of mutual understanding and in the promotion of relationship. At the same time, some mediators disavow storytelling as an acceptable type of discourse as they believe that the focus of the activity is …

Service Learning In The Curriculum: A Model For Elementary Educators, Steven H. Miller

Theses and Graduate Projects

This application project was developed to serve as an example and a guide for elementary teachers in the Hopkins Public School District on how service learning and existing curriculum can he combined to benefit and enhance student learning. The project reviews the current literature about service learning, provides information on it's history, and explains what some researchers believe are the best practices of the concept.

Included in this application project is an example of service learning that has been conducted with fifth grade students. The example describes the service performed and how the curriculum at that level was integrated with …

Lifting The Veil Off Widowhood: Portraits Of Transformation, Louise A. Stanger Edd

Dissertations

This qualitative research study has explored the lives of 13 women who were widowed before the age of 55, who are professionals, educators, businesswomen, and community activists, to learn how their lives have been transformed since the death of their spouse. For this study, the death of a spouse was seen as a transforming event in the life of a married woman. The nature of this transformation varied with each respondent. Portraiture was the primary biographical methodology used. Purposive sampling provided the opportunity to interview women from diverse backgrounds. Five global, open-ended interview questions were used and demographic data were …

Diversity, Collaboration, Reflective Practice, And Technology In Professional Education Programs: Strategic Choices For Higher Education, Caren L. Sax Edd

Dissertations

Today's postsecondary students are entering American institutions of higher education (IHEs) with different experiences, expectations, and learning needs than students of previous generations. Calls for more diverse campuses, advanced technology, and lifelong learning are maintaining pressure on IHEs to adjust to new demands for a more encompassing vision as traditional approaches are no longer adequate. The challenges are tremendous; the responses must be extensive and reflective if higher education is to achieve its goals of preparing students for productive and meaningful lives. This study investigated student experiences in a yearlong professional education program that was focused by four strategic choices …

A Leadership Case Study: Application Of Burns' Transformational Leadership Theory, Ann Paulsen Cahill

Theses and Graduate Projects

James McGregor Burns defines transformational leadership as leaders seeking power to implement an agendn to help others lead better lives, and to enhsnce their ability to positively influence the world around them. The two essentials of power are mative and resource, Burns contends that transformational leaders will use them both to elevate the moral standing of society. The following research was conducted using James McGregor Burns' Transformational Leadership lheory as a foundntion for studying a leader in the business world. By understanding this leadership theory, the resesrcher was able to apply these characterisffcs to the leader and make conclusions regarding …

Applying The Servant-Leadership Theory To A Native American Woman Executive., Michelle L. Jones

Theses and Graduate Projects

At the time of my study, my Subject was the Director of a non-profit organization that exists to assistNative American artists in a variety of ways. The Group seeks to provide grants for artists, just as other artistic organizations do, but they go beyond that. The Group wants to assist the whole person, and so nurtures the soul as well as the artistic endeavors of the individual. Beyond this, the Group reaches out to the Native American conrmunity at large to help the people live amongst the dominant culture and retain their own culture and dignity. My Subject granted this …

A Professional Competency Survey Of Organizational Consultants In San Diego County, Angie Mays Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain a clearer understanding of the rapidly growing field of Organizational Consulting. Specifically, this research focuses on developing profiles of various types of organizational consultants in San Diego County. The types of profiles considered included: Executive Coaches, Feedback Specialists, Motivational Speakers, Trainers, Educators, and Consultants. The research topics examined included: background and professional preparation of consultants, professional resources utilized, interventions most commonly used, and level of job satisfaction. A descriptive survey was employed to aid in the investigation. The questionnaire consisted of questions revised from Waller's (1988) national survey of training consultants, and …

Mind Shift: From A Total Institution To The White Collar World, Carol J. Seiler

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper examines the obstacles that released inmates face in gaining employment and being successfully employed, how these obstacles might be overcome, studies and recommendations in the area of correctional education, and the role education and prison employment play in reducing recidivism. It further relates these topics to the leadership and training and employment focus of Stillwater Systems, Inc. (SSI), a non-profit, self-sustaining, company that operates inside the confines of the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility, Lino Lakes, Minnesota. Effective and visionary leadership in this complex and unique business setting is crucial to the survival of Stillwater Systems. The style and …

Conflict In The Workplace: Fundamentals Of Identification, Manngement, And Resolution For Leadership, Lois J. Larson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Conflict is an attribute of the human condition and it will always be present. Leaders must understand the conflict process and learn when to intervene to reduce stress for employees and promote a healthy exchange of ideas. The purpose of this independent project was to fill a need for training in the area of conflict resolution in the workplace. This document is written as a primer for leadership to learn about conflict origins and to teach skills of resolution of workplace disagreements.

Multicultural Awareness And Understanding: A Corporate Leadership Perspective, Michelle L. Jones

Theses and Graduate Projects

In the 1980s and 1990s there has been a focus in corporate training programs on the subjects of diversity and multiculturalism. There have been a variety of studies conducted to address the effectiveness of corporate diversity training programs, and suggestions have been made in the studies to make corporate diversity training programs worthwhile. This paper will analyze some of the elements that have been suggested for effective corporate diversity training and distill the most beneficial of these. The role of leaders in corporate multicultural awareness and understanding will be discussed. From these considerations is developed a guide for a corporate …

A Proposal For Leadership Consulting, Jess Timmerman, Raegan Williams

Honors Theses

In the course of the past two decades, the study of leadership has increasingly found its proponents in a variety of contexts. From academic circles to non-profits and corporate industries, leadership studies is rapidly becoming a topic of paramount import. As this evolution occurs, students of leadership studies find themselves highly sought-after for positions in a myriad of fields. Increasing, too, is the need for students of leadership studies to find and develop additional links to industries and corporations traditionally reserved for students of other academic areas. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the leadership curriculum in the Jepson School of …

Taking The High Road: A Case Study In The Value-Based Approach To Leadership, Lois J. Larson

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover the impact of the infusion of core values in the workplace on leader/follower behavior. A hybrid of transformational leadership and servant-leadership theories called the value-based approach to leadership was used for analysis of data gathered. Conclusions indicate that infusion of core values has a positive impact on follower trust, support for followers as holistic persons builds commitment, and a positive organizational culture binds individuals into a common group with shared goals. Anecdotal evidence provided indicates transference of core values from followers to customers, influencing customer satisfaction.