Discussion 1: Leadership Theory and Process

Initially, the concept of leadership focused on an individual who organized a group of people to achieve a goal. Today, however, leadership is depicted in a different way. The field focuses not only on an individual leader, but also on members, supervisors, and followers representing a spectrum of diversity. During the evolution of leadership, several theories, models, and perspectives have emerged. As a human and social services professional, it is important to consider how different theories, models, and perspectives of leadership might be used to achieve professional and societal goals.

To prepare:

Consider the issue you selected for your Capstone  Project. Select a leadership theory, model, or perspective and think about  how it might be applied to your issue. 

With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 3

Post a brief description of your professional or societal issue and the leadership theory, model, or perspective you selected for the United Nations Environmental Protection. Then, explain why you chose that theory, model, or perspective, and explain how it might be applied to your issue. Be specific, and use processes of that theory, model, or perspective to illustrate your point.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Required Readings

Homan, M. S. (2016). Promoting community change: Making it happen in the real world (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.

· Chapter 6, “People—The Most Valuable Resource” (pp. 153–178)

· Chapter 7, “Power” (pp. 179–205)

Packard, T. (2009). Leadership and performance in human services organizations. In R. J. Patti, (Ed.), The handbook of human services management (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

The Handbook of Human Services Management, 2nd Edition by Patti, R. Copyright 2008 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Perumal, N. (2015). We continue to “manage”: A transformational leadership perspective on social work management in the NPO sector in South Africa? International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice, 3(2), 63–70. Retrieved from http://www.hrpub.org/download/20150620/IJRH2-19290349.pdf

Optional Resources

Avolio, B. J., Walumbwa, F. O., & Weber, T. J. (2009). Leadership: Current theories, research, and future directions. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 421–449. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.60.110707.163621

Hegtvedt, K. A., & Johnson, C. (2009). Power and justice: Toward an understanding of legitimacy. American Behavioral Scientist, 53(3), 376–399. doi:10.1177/0002764209338798

Kuhnert, K. W., & Lewis, P. (1987). Transactional and transformational leadership: A constructive/developmental analysis. Academy of Management Review, 12(4), 648–657. doi:10.2307/258070

 Laureate Education (Producer). (2009c). Leadership [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.