Assessment item 3
Critical Analysis of Leadership
Length: 3000-3500 words
Submission method options
Alternative submission method
Task
You will need to complete the following project on leadership that assesses leaders in a work-related environment.
This project focuses on critical analysis of leaders’ approaches to their leadership in a work-related environment and provides recommendations on how to sustain or improve leadership effectiveness.
Identify three ‘interviews’ or biographical accounts of Australian CEOs, business or third sector leaders from the Australian news media, a professional management journal or management-related magazine. Justify your selection.
Analyse these cases, and from a critical perspective, compare and contrast:
a) the ways in which each leader is constructed as a leader by the accounts;
b) how the leaders describe their conceptualisation of leadership;
c) how each leader conceptualises success through their leadership.
Critically evaluate how each leader’s practice of leadership impacts the success of their organisation,
using relevant theoretical perspectives you have covered during your study of MGT536.
Identify organisational issues one of these three leaders is facing. Drawing on current leadership research (from the last five years) what advice would you offer this leader to assist them in addressing these issues?
Finally, draw conclusions from your entire critical analysis, and make recommendations about how relevant theories and research can assist leaders to fulfil their role.
Rationale
This task has been designed to allow you to demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed to undertake an analysis of leadership in order to determine the effectiveness of leadership in a specific context. You are also expected to provide specific recommendations and strategies to improve leadership effectiveness.
This assessment builds in practical way on Assessments 1 and 2 where the foundations were laid for the theoretical and personal understanding of leadership.
The task assesses the following learning outcomes:
• be able to critically analyse, in the context of the framework of relevant theories and research, current and projected issues which impact on organisational leadership and organisational success;
• be able to synthesise issues for organisational leaders and evaluate plausible impacts requiring leadership decisions;
• be able to explain the relationship of effective leadership and the success of organisations;
• be able to develop a leadership plan and implementation strategies.
Marking criteria
This assignment is weighted at 40% of your final grade.
A comprehensive marking rubric has been outlined below:
Criterion HD (85-100%) D (75- 84%) C ( 65-74%) P (50-64%) F ( 50%)
Three ‘interviews’ / biographical accounts of Australian CEOs, business or third sector leaders from recommended sources identified. Selection justified
10 marks Three interviews/biographical accounts well identified using recommended sources. Selection strongly justified by explaining how the cases represent specific leadership theories and organisational issues. Three interviews/biographical accounts well identified using recommended sources. Selection justified by explaining how the cases represent specific leadership theories and organisational issues. Three interviews/biographical accounts well identified using recommended sources. Selection justified by relating cases to leadership theories and organisational issues. Three interviews/biographical accounts selected mainly using recommended sources.
Limited justification of selection with little relationship drawn between the cases and leadership theory and/or organisational issues. Three interviews/biographical accounts selected. Recommended sources not used.
No justification of selection in terms of how it relates to leadership theory or organisational issues.
Compare and contrast leadership style and leaders’ conceptualization of their leadership and success.
20 marks A detailed study that compares, contrasts and critically analyses leadership style, leader’s conceptualization of leadership and success. A detailed study that compares and contrasts leadership style, leader’s conceptualization of leadership and success A study that compares and contrasts leadership style, leader’s conceptualization of leadership and success Compares and contrasts leadership style, leader’s conceptualization of leadership and success but in a limited way. Descriptive. Has not attempted to compare and contrast.
Application and critical evaluation of relevant concepts to the impact of leadership practice on organizational success
20 marks Clearly demonstrates a high level ability to synthesise theory and practice using readings and/or alternative perspectives Able to interpret the relationship between theory and practice accurately. Offers appropriate and relevant examples to support line of argument. Able to identify the relevant relationships between theory and practice. Offers some evaluation, but occasionally lack consistency. Demonstrates an adequate level of understanding relating theory to practice; and some consideration provided of alternative perspectives. Descriptive. Reproduces information from lectures and readings. The relationship between theory and practice underdeveloped and is poorly argued.
Identification of an organizational issue facing ONE of the leaders and application of leadership research to suggestions made to resolve the issue.
20 marks Well-identified issue.
Very sound recommendation
supported by current research on leadership. Very good identification of issue.
Recommendation
backed by current research on leadership Good identification of issue.
Recommendation
largely backed by current research on leadership Satisfactory identification of issue.
Recommendation
not all backed by current research on leadership. Poorly identified issue.
Limited recommendation
made
.
Draw conclusions from the research and make suitable recommendations
20 marks Draws conclusions grounded in theory and based on the entire critical analysis. Specific and practical recommendations flow from conclusions. Draws conclusions grounded in theory and based on the entire critical analysis. Specific and practical recommendations. Draws conclusions based on the entire analysis. Recommendations are good but may need to be more specific and/or practical. Conclusions are satsifactory and related to the entire analysis. Recommendations are satisfactory but need to be more specific and practical. Conclusions and recommendations are not based on the analysis and/or unsatisfactory in terms of practicality or specificity.
Academic and professional communication skills:
Follows a report structure.
Writing style must follow professional literacy: Citations and a final reference list that follows the APA6 guidelines accurately; the quality of writing and presentation: accurate mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation etc.); (Minimum of 10 citations/references used).
10 marks Structure uses clear and concise sentences and paragraphs. Sophisticated level of professional language achieved. Paragraphs succinct with excellent ability with grammar, vocabulary and spelling. Impeccable referencing in APA6. Outstanding presentation. Structure uses paragraphs and sentences.. Leads the reader through the argument in a clear and logical way. Follows guidelines comprehensively. Professional literacy well demonstrated. Substantial ability with grammar, spelling and vocabulary. Ample relevant, accurate referencing using APA6.
Excellent presentation. Clear structure. Adequate use of sentences and paragraphs. Guidelines followed clearly. Level of professional language used. Paragraphs are succinct. Generally good ability with grammar, and spelling; appropriate vocabulary. Relevant but limited referencing.
Very good presentation. Structure is apparent, fair use sentences and paragraphs. Some of the guidelines followed. Only general level of professional language achieved. Adequate level of control over grammar, fair ability with spelling and vocabulary. Referencing lacks specificity with some inaccuracies.
Satisfactory presentation. No apparent structure. Poor sentence and paragraph construction. Guidelines not followed. Language not professional, inclusive or respectful. Paragraphs off the point. Inadequate ability with grammar, poor vocabulary and spelling. Insufficient and/or inaccurate referencing.
Poor presentation.

Presentation
Report Format (more details on report format will be provided in the Resources folder of Interact 2
Use 1.5 spacing and standard 12p font.
Number your pages (except cover page)
Keep a copy of your assessment.
Please proof read: grammar and spelling.

Requirements
Assignment 3: Submission via Turnitin.
Details on how to submit via Turnitin will be provided in the Resources folder of Interact 2
Note :Structure
1.Coverpage
2.Table of content
3.Introduction
4.Disussion of 3 leaders (no political leaders, separate references for each leader, 3 different CEOs from different fields)
Leader1
a)Biography
b) Role of Leader
c) Success in their Organization(
Leader 2 and Leader 3 repeat a, b and c for Leader 2 and Leader 3
5.Recommendation
6.Conclusion
7.Reference list (min 10)