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Faculty
Katalin Illes, Anglia Ruskin University

Course Coordinator
ISUP Secretariat

Prerequisite/progression of the course

Some work experience is beneficial but not compulsory.

Aim of the course

The aim of the course is to integrate the theory of leadership, with the roots of thinking in Eastern and Western Tradition and provide participants an opportunity to apply the theoretical and historic knowledge into their personal lives. The importance of personal integrity, trust based relationships and maturity are well documented in leadership. Participants are expected to demonstrate not only high level of awareness but also an intent to develop and grow in these areas.

Course content, structure and teaching

This course is based on the forthcoming Leadership textbook of the Instructor Dr Katalin Illes. (Illes K.and Platts J. (2010 forthcoming) A Holistic Approach to Leadership)

The course has three main themes:

Theory of Leadership: An overview of the evolution of Leadership research from the turn of the 20th century to our current days. Trait, contingency, situational and constitutive approaches to understanding will be explored. The connection between process philosophy and new research initiatives will be discussed where leadership is considered as ‘relationship’ and where it is argued that talking about ‘leaderful moments’ is more meaningful then projecting expectations, hopes and fear’ on individuals in leadership positions.

Leadership in human history: Leadership as providing guidance towards meaningful lives is a fundamental issue for mankind and as such has been present in different forms throughout human history. By taking course participants back to the roots of Western and Eastern thinking we shall show through specific examples the underlying principles that have been guiding and influencing the behaviour of leaders and followers over the centuries. These are the principles that are at the root of our expectations from leaders. The principles that we will look at have a timeless, universal nature. They have provided and will provide food for thought for seekers who would like to develop a deeper understanding about the meaning of life, work, human relationships and leadership. In the first part of the course we look at the scientific research and what it had to offer to our understanding of leadership at the physical level. In the second part we continue our search at a higher and deeper level. All deep approaches to leadership draw on a deep understanding – a deep model – of how the world works. We use the word “physics” to describe how the physical world works. We use the word “metaphysics” to describe at a more fundamental level how humanity works. Every culture has a deep metaphysical description of how life works. This part of the course will highlight the fundamental aspects of Eastern and Western thinking that we can use as universal guidelines for leadership.

Individual Leadership: The rationale for this part is to move leadership out of the abstract and bring it closer to the individual and make it practical and real to the participant. What can we learn from historic leaders? What are the lessons and the benefits of academic frameworks and abstract concepts and measurements of leadership? How can we integrate the research and the philosophical questions and how can they help us to find a deep, meaningful understanding that would help us decide when and how to lead or when and how to be a good follower? What are the universal guiding principles of life? How can we follow them and ascertain a meaningful and fulfilling human life?

We shall address the questions of trust and maturity and explore how to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Learning Objectives

• Critically explore the meaning of leadership in an international context;
• Evaluate the benefits and difficulties of cultural differences in leadership;
• Integrate historic, research and personal knowledge into a holistic understanding of leadership
• Critically evaluate the relevance of personal integrity and ethical behaviour in leadership and reflect on the complexities and interrelatedness of leadership and followership in an organisational context.

Teaching methods

The course will be taught through a combination of lectures, guest speaker presentations, and class discussions.

Examination

4-hour written exam (open book)

Re-take exam: 24-hour written exam

Recommended literature

Illes, K. and Platts, J. (2010 forthcoming) A Holistic Approach to Leadership (about 300 pages)

James, K.T. and Collins, J. (2008) Leadership Perspectives, Palgrave MacMillan (245 pages)

Grint, K. (2005) Leadership: Limits and Possibilities Palgrave MacMillan (183 pages)

Selected articles from Leadership Quarterly, Academy of Management Review and Harvard Business Review

Sidst opdateret af ISUP Secretariat 29.01.2010