Leadership Commons^™

Aligning Strategy And Execution: The Role Of Senior Leaders In Project-Driven Organizations, Kenneth J. Boff

M.S. in Leadership

Strategic alignment remains a persistent challenge in project‑driven organizations, where shifting priorities and distributed execution often create gaps between strategic intent and project‑level action. This study examined how Senior Leadership Communication Practices influence Strategy–Execution Alignment and tested whether Organizational Culture for Alignment and Change Management Readiness mediate that relationship. A quantitative, cross‑sectional survey was administered to 54 senior leaders in project‑driven environments. All constructs demonstrated strong reliability, and correlation & regression analyses confirmed significant positive relationships among leadership communication, cultural alignment, readiness, and strategic alignment. Leadership communication significantly predicted culture (R² = .444), readiness (R² = .431), and alignment (R² …

Entropy In Leadership: Reframing Performance Decline As A Failure Of Internal Growth, Joshua M. K. Simmons

M.S. in Leadership

This project explored leadership degradation among mid-to-senior enlisted members (E5–E9) of the United States Air Force using the concept of leadership entropy, the gradual decline of psychological and relational capacity in the absence of sustained support. The topic was selected to address a gap in understanding how internal leadership resilience erodes despite continued performance. A convergent mixed methods design was used, integrating quantitative survey constructs such as burnout, psychological capital, and perceived organizational support with open-ended narrative responses. Twenty-four participants contributed data. Results showed that while leaders remain outwardly effective, internal motivation and connection often deteriorate over time, especially at …

Leading Like Jesus In Organizations: Assessing The Practices Of Servant Leadership, Keenan A. Siegal

M.S. in Leadership

This project explores the concept of servant leadership through examining biblical accounts of Jesus Christ’s life and teachings. This project highlights how Jesus exemplified key principles of servant leadership, including humility, empathy, self-sacrifice, and a deep commitment to serving others before himself. The project contrasts Jesus’ leadership style with modern leadership models and discusses its relevance in today’s professional settings. Overall, it aims to explore a transformational approach to leadership in which it that prioritizes compassion, integrity, and the empowerment of others over meeting the needs of the business or serving yourself as a leader.

Managing Change In Higher Education: Implementing Mobile Credentials Across Usnh, Amy R. Gray

M.S. in Leadership

As higher education institutions continue to embrace digital transformation, mobile credentials are emerging as an innovative solution for modernizing campus ID systems. Literature suggests that these digital versions of campus ID cards, stored on smartphones, offer enhanced security, operational efficiency, and a more seamless campus experience. This research project explored best practices and key factors necessary for implementing mobile credentials across the University System of New Hampshire (USNH), with a focus on leadership’s role in managing change. Using a mixed-methods approach—including case study analysis, a literature review, and survey research—this study examined best practices, challenges, and strategies for successful adoption. …

A Relational Approach To Workplace Leadership, Nathaniel J. Hunt

M.S. in Leadership

This research project examines relational leadership as an ethical and strategic foundation for fostering effective workplaces. Motivated by the growing importance of human connection in leadership, the study integrates philosophical insights, particularly Emmanuel Levinas’s ethics of the face of the Other, with empirical evidence on workplace relationship-building. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining a structured survey of 32 professionals with thematic analysis of qualitative responses. Results confirmed that strategies such as encouraging knowledge-sharing and cultivating positive relational climates significantly enhance employee well-being, psychological safety, and organizational performance. Knowledge-sharing emerged as the most effective strategy, while relationship-building was found to be …

Leadership’S Influence Over Turnover, Skill Retention And Building, And Company Culture, Joseph R. Stevenson

M.S. in Leadership

This capstone project explores the role of leadership in employee retention and turnover within the manufacturing industry. The project was chosen due to ongoing workforce challenges, including high turnover rates, skill shortages, and the increasing impact of automation and digital transformation. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative analysis of academic literature, case studies, and company policies with quantitative data from labor statistics and industry reports. The research identifies key factors influencing retention, including leadership style, compensation, workplace culture, and career development opportunities. Findings show that transformational leadership, clear advancement pathways, and a supportive workplace culture significantly improve employee …

Positive Reinforcement In Leadership, Jen Lee Williams

M.S. in Leadership

This project examined whether leaders’ use of positive reinforcement
improves team retention, satisfaction, and performance across Generation
X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Jen Williams selected this topic due to the
rising turnover challenges and lack of consistent reinforcement training in
leadership practice. Using mixed-methods design, the study combined a
quantitative survey of 13 working professionals with a qualitative interview
from a Generation X leader participant. Results showed that over 92% of
the participants felt motivated by recognition, and 72% linked
reinforcement to increased satisfaction and desire to stay with their
organization. Generational differences appeared in frequency, authenticity,
and emotional sensitivity …

Role Of Emotional Intelligence In Leadership, Sabrena Craft

M.S. in Leadership

No abstract provided.

Importance Of Intergenerational Leadership In Organizations, Kelta Tabaku Ms.

M.S. in Leadership

Abstract

This study delved into the details of leadership within intergenerational settings, spotlighting the pivotal role of effective communication and cultural comprehension. It underscores how intergenerational leadership shapes organizational dynamics, necessitating innovative methods and meticulous succession planning. The research emphasizes the imperative of acknowledging each generation's distinct contributions and the deployment of leadership training and mentorship initiatives to cultivate inclusive leadership spanning generations. This capstone research thesis aims to explore the challenges in executing effective intergenerational leadership practices in contemporary organizations, potentially uncovering issues like communication barriers, change resistance, or generational misunderstandings. The hypothesis posits that adeptly implemented intergenerational leadership …

The Importance Of Intergenerational Leadership In Organizations, Kelta Tabaku Ms.

M.S. in Leadership

Abstract

This study delved into the details of leadership within intergenerational settings, spotlighting the pivotal role of effective communication and cultural comprehension. It underscores how intergenerational leadership shapes organizational dynamics, necessitating innovative methods and meticulous succession planning. The research emphasizes the imperative of acknowledging each generation's distinct contributions and the deployment of leadership training and mentorship initiatives to cultivate inclusive leadership spanning generations. This capstone research thesis aims to explore the challenges in executing effective intergenerational leadership practices in contemporary organizations, potentially uncovering issues like communication barriers, change resistance, or generational misunderstandings. The hypothesis posits that adeptly implemented intergenerational leadership …

Understanding Neurodiversity And Executive Disfunction To Discover More Effective Accommodations And Create A More Inclusive Workforce For Neurodivergent Individuals, Carley Dahlstrom

Honors Theses and Capstones

The goal of this paper is twofold. One: understand executive disfunction to gain a broader understanding of neurodiversity and the challenges those with neurodiversity face in the workforce. And two: research different accommodations to combat executive disfunction and evaluate their effectiveness. To accomplish these goals, an extensive literature review was conducted to understand neurodiversity, executive disfunction, government requirements relating to accommodations, and an exploration of current accommodations available. Additionally, research was conducted in the form of interviews and a survey to expand and add to the overall understanding of this research area.

Results of the survey indicate an overall lack …

The Growth Drivers And Inhibitors Of The B Corp Movement, Jason Plant

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.