School of Engineering and Computer Science

Leadership Training in College

Should everybody train for leadership?

Yes. All college graduates are destined to assume countless leadership responsibilities, along with even more "followership" roles. Both are equally important, and both are enhanced through this academy.

A few sample presentations are:

• Is It In You?: Leadership that is Socially and Emotionally Intelligent, Vice President Elizabeth Griego
• The Laws of L eadership, Assistant Vice President John Carvana

The following are a few of the writing prompts:

According to Business Leadership Review, "Leadership involves real innovation."

• In a single focused paragraph define and explain what you think "real innovation" is.
• In a second, related paragraph, argue and explain some of the factors you think are necessary to create and sustain "real innovation.

In at least two well-developed paragraphs, address the following:

• Are you aware of any creative approaches to problem solving? Identify and explain a particular problem-solving approach or two that you are aware of and know something about.
• Identify and describe the problem. What were the approaches (that failed and were successful)?
• As you explain these problem-solving approaches, explain how leadership factored (or factors) into the creativity of the solution and its follow-through to success?

"…work has become far more connected and interdependent than ever before, requiring leaders to create an environment where others can help them succeed. [Because of this] … a flexible, creative leadership style is needed in order to span country and cultural boundaries, promote collaboration, and respond to an ever-shifting environment" (Breaking Free in Turbulent Times Center for Creative Leadership).

• Agree or disagree with this statement.
• Respond by arguing and elaborating on the points made about leadership from your perspective. Develop your reasons with reasoning and examples.

Will leaders face challenges that exceed the individual capabilities, talents, skills, and resources they now have and exercise?

• If so, identify, explain, and describe one or two of these new challenges.
• Then argue how leaders should go about resolving these new types of challenges regardless of how each problem might present itself individually.

Most people who study business performance generally agree that in order to be an effective leader or to become one, effective and useful feedback is essential.

Take a position and support it with reasoning, examples, and evidence (if possible).

Respond to one of the following:

1. Why should a leader/manager give feedback to those who report to him/her?
2. When feedback is given, what kinds of feedback make a difference and why?
   Identify the types of feedback that make a difference and develop reasons why they make an effective difference.
3. When feedback is given, how should it be given and why?

Conflict has been defined as a problem wrapped in emotion.

Choose one of the following and develop your response in a coherent and carefully proofread essay.

1. Explain what you consider to be the consequences of improperly managed conflict in the professional environment?
2. If you were to have a conflict with a boss or peer in the work environment, identify and explain what its causes and effects might be as you see them now.
3. Identify the types of conflict that tend to be destructive in a work environment. Or identify what types of conflict tend to be constructive in work environment. Identify, describe, and explain.
4. How should a leader go about resolving a conflict productively? Identify, argue, and explain.