Leadership Studies Commons^™

Servant Leadership And The Military Professional: How Do Military Professionals Practice Servant Leadership In Their Lives As Leaders?, David Limberg

Theses and Graduate Projects

Military organizations, like the U.S. Army, traditionally are mission driven entities and organizational success is paramount in all military endeavors. The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between leadership practices of military professionals and the characteristics of Servant Leadership. The specific research question is: "How do military professionals practice Servant Leadership in the conduct of their lives as leaders?" The examination of this question will further ground Servant Leadership as a tangible leadership model in a large organization. This study will qualitatively examine four military professionals through a series of interviews and determine what leader actions they …

A Curriculum And Leader Guide For Linc (Leaders Impacting Nonprofit Communities); A Program Of The Hennepin County Bar Association, Lucinda Hruska-Claeys

Theses and Graduate Projects

Many people are called to serve on boards of directors for not for profit organizations. However, many of those who do serve in such roles have little idea of their responsibilities and no formal training to facilitate more knowledgeable participation and more effective boards. Many people find that some formal training can turn service on a Board of Directors into a more positive experience for both the volunteer and the organization. The purpose of this Leadership Application Project for the degree of Master of Arts in Leadership at Augsburg College is to evaluate the content of one particular nonprofit board …

An Analysis Of Mahatma Gandhi And His Leadership Style, Curt Fernandez

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper explains different leadership styles employed by Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi's life and how that influenced his leadership, examining the actions and behaviors which demonstrate the essence of his leadership style. This paper examines the ideals and values by which Gandhi lived his life and how, even today, they continue to inspire humanity. This paper discusses two different leadership styles, transformational and servant leadership, and shows how Mahatma Gandhi exemplified these qualities. This study was done using data from archives, autobiographies, media, and government reports, as well as my own experience as a native of India. What makes a person …

The Best Practices For Leadership Development In Medium-Sized Companies, Beth A. Hanzal

Theses and Graduate Projects

In the current business environment, leadership development is being recognized as an important strategic initiative for organizations faced with the challenge of filling critical leadership positions and ensuring their leaders have the capacity to lead their organizations' into the future. Most of the research on leadership development has focused on practices in large companies. The purpose of this research is to study the best practices for leadership development in medium-sized companies. Eleven leadership development professionals were interviewed. Those professionals worked for companies in a variety of industries, with annual revenues of between $300 million and $2 billion. During the interviews, …

Mentoring And Leadership: The Application Of Transformational And Transactional Leadership Theory To Youth Mentoring, Alicia R. Schwarz

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper presents a literature review of transactional and transformational leadership theories as well as a review of youth mentoring. Transactional and transformational leadership theories and concepts are then analyzed to doctrine how they could be applied to the field of youth mentoring. The analysis of these theories is then specifically used to provide recommended modifications of the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring model. The recommendations are intended to enhance the outcomes of the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program.

Culturally Competent: The Core Competency Of A Successful Small Business Owner/Manager, Shikita S. T Snelson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This paper presents results of a study that explored perceptions of salon owners who have become successful due largely to their knowledge and level of cultural competency. After review of the literature, an explanation of the study's design and analysis of its results are discussed. The following themes emerged from interviews with three salon managers: Education, location, cultural experiences, diversity training, staff diversity, client satisfaction, and client retention. The paper concludes with implications for business leadership and further research.

Higher Purpose Leadership The Effect Of Higher Purpose In Organizational Mission: A Case Study Of The Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, William P. Bengtson

Theses and Graduate Projects

This case study seeks to help leaders improve their organizations by better understanding the value of defining and communicating the higher purpose of their organizations, the benefit that their organization's products and services provide to humanity. This study introduces and explores higher purpose leadership and investigates the effect that higher purpose in organizational mission has on employees. Interview participants include workers at the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation where a project has been underway for over sixty years to create the world's largest sculpture, as well as a cultural center, university and medical center. This study also introduces the phrase higher …

Malcolm X, The Elegant Warrior: The Leadership Style Of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, Vincent P. Short

Theses and Graduate Projects

Malik El Shabazz, also known as Malcolm X, is as relevant to today's society as he was at the height of the civil rights era. As a leader, Malcolm X possessed and demonstrated the skills of a militarily trained general, motivational speaker, CEO, coach and religious visionary - a person spiritually enlightened with a battle-tested soul. Many have used his name in anger and misinterpreted him when they want to shift away from the civil rights era language of love and brotherhood. He has become the African American equivalent of Che Guevara. It is the goal of this research to …

Nelson Mandela The Transformational Leader: The Struggle For Social Justice, Equality And Democratic Change In South Africa, Bangalee A. Trawally

Theses and Graduate Projects

This case study focuses on the transformational leadership style used by Nelson Mandela. Transformation leadership is a theory championed by James MacGregor Burns, who originally coined the term, and Bernard M. Bass (1990). In addition to transformational leadership, the study includes theories from other prominent individuals who have contributed to the study of Mandela's leadership. This research underscores how Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid activist who became president of South Africa, played a leading role in bringing his country from a racially divided society to a free democratic society. He demonstrated high moral and ethical values, expressed genuine interest in his …

Key Curriculum For Developing World-Class Patient Centered Care Teams, Linda Bauermeister

Theses and Graduate Projects

According to the National Coalition on Health Care (2007), the health care industry is in a state of crisis. It is not as safe as it could be, it is not affordable for many people, and it is full of waste. There seems to be a consensus that reform is needed. One option for transforming health care is to focus on and develop the small units of people who actually do the work (Quinn, 1992 and Nelson et al, 2007). This Leadership Application Project addresses the question: what are the key curriculum elements needed to transform, develop, and sustain a …

Leadership As It Relates To Employee Performance, Shane Horihan

Theses and Graduate Projects

What employee issues impact performance? How should leaders attempt to impact these issues? Gallup’s human sigma model provides the primary theoretical framework for this exploration. The quantitative data used for discovery include: the Gallup Q12®️ employee engagement survey from 33 retail-banking stores and 522 employees, the individual store performance measurements, and the Gallup customer engagement survey CE11®️. Data for both surveys were gathered during the third quarters of 2006.

The results show the Q12 issues with high, positive correlations (those with a .425 or above Pearson Correlation) as they relate to performance measurements, such as daily average number of products …

Women And Happiness: A Personal Growth Retreat, Laura Marquette

Theses and Graduate Projects

This research examined the impact of using a servant-leader approach to facilitate a happiness retreat for women. Several self-report assessments were used in an attempt to measure three different aspects of the women’s lives. This research sampled four women, ranging in age from 29 to 30, that are all associates of the chief investigator, interested in attending a retreat. The full-day retreat took place during an annually scheduled trip to Dallas, Texas. The evidence to support the original hypothesis that the designed retreat will have a measurable impact on the levels of happiness of those who attended is inconclusive. While …

Police Leadership And Servant Leadership: Determining The Connection, Karen K. Mueller

Theses and Graduate Projects

This investigation focuses on the question of whether the qualities and characteristics of Servant-Leadership have relevance with regard to the qualities and characteristics associated with effective leadership in law enforcement, particularly those of police chiefs. The research focuses on the literature and research associated with these two fields of leadership and their possible overlap.

Nicaraguan Women And Their Leadership Style, Laaitu Marie Sabiya

Theses and Graduate Projects

When meeting the women in Nicaragua and considering their country’s history, one would surmise the complexities and what would seem like a difficult future. This research analyzed three aspects of Nicaraguan women and their leadership styles: 1) self-empowerment, 2) ability to bring change to women with limited resources socially, politically and economically in their communities, and 3) Transformation of women’s leadership.

Five Nicaraguan women were invited to participate because they have a unique understanding of their traditional ways of life and demonstrate leadership. Culture pervades their entire social, political and economic existence, and these women have a positive inclination toward …

Effective Leadership In A Service Center Setting: An Analysis Of How To Increase Tenure Among Employees Through A Blended Leadership Model, Larissa Martin

Theses and Graduate Projects

Service Centers experience high turnover rates among employees. Creating a healthy working environment through effective leadership in a service center setting can be difficult due to the particular features of a service center. This analysis of the organizational literature on service centers leads to the development of a blended leadership model. Using the Transformational and Transactional Leadership models with an emphasis on role clarity, empowerment, trust, approachability of the leader, employee/leader relationship, contingent versus non-contingent behavior, and monitoring, the blended leadership model incorporates these concepts to provide an ideal type that would guide a call center leader in helping the …

Retention Issues For Native Students, Ryan A. Bench

Theses and Graduate Projects

This research focuses on the history of Native Americans in higher education and the challenges that they are currently facing. The research also goes into detail regarding programs that benefit at risk students in higher education such as TRIO, Upward Bound, mentoring programs, and Student Support Services. The central question of these programs to the issues Native students face in higher education and use them to increase retention of these students.

Email Overload: The Implications Of Virtual Communication At The Office, Matthew John Hearne

Theses and Graduate Projects

This investigation focuses on the implications of email overload on worker productivity, stress, and privacy in the workplace. This research attempts to confirm the affects of email overload at the office by comparing case study results with the review of related literature and subsequently offering a conclusion based upon this comparison.

Leadership Communication Skills: Role In The Institutionalization Of Organizational Vision, Strategy And Culture, Pamela A. Peter

Theses and Graduate Projects

There is a generally accepted expectation that leaders should play a significant role in integrating an organization's vision statement and strategic direction with its culture. Depending upon the organization the author of the vision statement could be the owner, the board of directors or CEO, or other senior leaders or consultants. In any case, because the vision statement is typically disseminated top down, the distance from the statement's author to those who actually do the work is great. This can be especially true in large organizations with hierarchical structures. To bridge that gap, senior leaders depend upon leaders at the …

Limits And Challenges Of E-Mail Use In The Business World, Joanne L. Johnson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Miscommunication can cost time, money and even relationships. Facts surrounding e-mail's speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness have been established; however, through my research and experience I have discovered there are limits to the effectiveness of e-mail. I will discuss the limitations of e-mail as a medium for effective business communication from the perspective of its effectiveness as a medium,, effects on productivity, and possible risks. E-mail poses limits and challenges as a communication medium in the business world versus basic face-to-face communication. The absence of non-verbal and verbal cues and the ability in standard e-mail for immediate feedback are weaknesses. As …

The Effects Of Performance-Focused Training On Learning Transfer, Jennifer S. Kvidt

Theses and Graduate Projects

This final project examines the effects of performance-focused training on learning transfer by exploring different types of training, learning transfer theories, adult learning styles, and training evaluation. The purpose of this research is to address the question: will a training program designed around a performance-focused model result in a significant level of learning transfer as perceived by the participants? Performance-focused training attaches business goals to training programs, and includes significant evaluation, which enhances learning transfer. Organizations using this type of training see a significant level of learning transfer because the organization recognizes the value of training, designs training programs with …

The Leadership Of Christian Value-Led Companies: Observations Of Character, Practical Wisdom, And Decision-Making Complexities, Tim Roddy

Theses and Graduate Projects

Aspiring Christian-values leaders might have many questions on this topic, including: Where does the knowledge to lead this way come from? Who has experience in this endeavor? What are the obstacles which might be faced in leading this way? What research exists on this topic? How can I learn what experienced Christian-values leaders already know about leading this way? Therefore, this research has been undertaken as a qualitative study in observation and documentation of the phenomena surrounding the research question. Themes or trends are discussed in terms which 11 Christian-values business leaders expressed as significant. Their documented comments and views …

Perceived Leadership Development As A Result Of Martial Arts Training, Connie L. Bouley

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of martial arts training on the individual's leadership in the workplace. Martial arts training develops leadership skills and traits that include self-control, focus, attaining goals, and respect of self and others. The research was conducted using a survey tool to explore if perceived leadership traits were learned within a martial arts training school and transferred to the workplace. The survey was completed by adult students of the National Karate Schools in Minnesota. The statements referred to non-physical skills learned in martial arts and if those skills were evident in the …

Gender Difference In Transformational Leadership: A Comparison Of Liberian Male And Female Leadership Styles From 1986 Through 2006, Anthony Ansumana Kanneh

Theses and Graduate Projects

The goal of this study was to investigate the leadership styles of Liberian male and female leaders by examining five hypotheses, as measured by the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ: Form 5X; Bass & Avolio, 1999) administered to 119 leaders and 360 raters. The samples investigated were selected from Liberian male and female leaders in the State of Minnesota and the Republic of Liberia. Few of the transformational leadership dimensions as measured by MLQ were found to be positively and significantly correlated with leadership behavior of both genders of Liberians. Overall, the results revealed no significant differences between the genders, in …

Traits Of Charismatic Leaders Who Have Led Their Followers Astray, Jon Olson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Charismatic leadership is highly desired by organizations that want to make fast large-scale changes. Followers can be motivated by a leader whose charisma touches them by speech, action, and vision. This leadership style can be used in positive ways to advance the cause of the group or in negative ways that result in harm and destruction. Charismatic leadership only tends to magnify the results. By studying past charismatic leaders who led their followers astray, the possibility of finding common negative traits exists. The history, behaviors, and writings of Adolf Hitler, Jim Jones, and David Koresh were analyzed in this paper. …

Internal Executive Coaching Program: Exploring The Experiences, Benefits, And Recommendations For Participants And Organizations, Susan D. Poulos

Theses and Graduate Projects

Organizations are searching for ways to enhance leadership skills to meet strategic goals. Executive coaching is one method used by organizations to improve communication, job satisfaction, staff retention and overall productivity. While external coaching programs have been used for years, internal coaching programs are a more recent development and little research has been conducted to examine their effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to examine the experience of managers who participated in an internal executive coaching program in order to explore the benefits and recommendations for participants and organizations. A case study of one organization's Internal Executive Coaching Program …

The Role Of Transformational Leadership In Consulting: Case Studies In Leadership Consulting, Lisa Rudquist

Theses and Graduate Projects

Transformational leadership has been studied extensively since initially conceptualized as transforming leadership in 1978 by James MacGregor Burns. Later theorist built on Burns' ideas, and transformational leadership has become one of the most extensively studied theories of Ieadership. Understanding transformational leadership theory is a key factor to applying the theory in the workplace. The case studies compiled for this Plan B paper investigate 10 leadership consultants from the Twin Cities area. Some of these leadership consultants may have formally studied transformational leadership theory while others intuitively possess transformational leadership characteristics in their work. With the information gathered from personal interviews …

Paradoxical Leadership: The Rise And Fall Of Richard M. Nixon, Andrew P. Langins

Theses and Graduate Projects

This case study analyzes the leadership of the 37^th president of the United States, Richard Nixon. Nixon was elected during a time of uncertainty and turmoil in America. He assumed a goal-oriented transactional/ transformational style of leadership and his first term pragmatic domestic policies had considerable success. For example, despite a congress controlled by the opposition, Nixon provided massive funding to the arts, established the Environmental Protection Agency, and expanded affirmative action. In foreign affairs he was the first U.S. president to visit communist China and the Soviet Union. The key obstacle for Nixon's presidency was the Vietnam War. …

The Obstacles To Advancement Of Women In The Legal Field, Diane R. Winter

Theses and Graduate Projects

This study presents an analysis of the obstacles that women lawyers face in advancing from the early stages of their careers into equity ownership or other leadership positions in law firms. It will also examine the issues that affect the advancement opportunities of women into key leadership positions in law firms. In addition, the paper will examine gender bias, societal pressures and the requirements associated with the profession and how those pressures have an especially adverse effect on women. This paper will suggest what women can do for themselves and for other women to effect change to the system. Finally, …

Organizational Culture In Health Care And Adaptive Leadership, Teresa M. Hunteman

Theses and Graduate Projects

To improve the quality and safety of health care in the United States, the Institute of Medicine identified the need for strong organizational leadership and an organizational culture that supports learning. The paper will review the application of the adaptive leadership model to support organizational culture change in health care. A review of the literature on health care organizational culture and the Adaptive Leadership model will be presented along with a case study of 10 health care organizations that have been working on culture change through the Institute of Clinical Systems Improvement. Perspectives gained in this analysis will determine if …

Servant Leadership And The Non-Profit Sector, Bruce Kranig

Theses and Graduate Projects

Nonprofit enterprises have played a significant role in society, providing many services to meet a wide spectrum of human needs. Like for-profit and public sector organizations, nonprofit organizations are faced with increased scrutiny of their current way of doing business. Stakeholders are demanding better efficiency and effectiveness from nonprofit organizations. The means to reduce waste in the current ways of doing business, if not led well and done right, will undoubtedly produce a greater waste. At risk is the sustainability of the organizations and the role their programs play in society.

The struggle facing the nonprofit sector and the challenges …