Theoretical Applications to Inform Human Services Leadership Practice and Styles

Note: The assessments in this course must be completed in the order presented; subsequent assessments should be built on both earlier work and your instructor’s feedback on earlier assessments. If you choose to submit assessments prematurely, without considering and integrating your instructor’s feedback, your assessment may be returned ungraded, resulting in your loss of an assessment attempt.

In this assessment, you will look at how leadership theories inform practice, with a specific focus on the relationship between theory and practice for diverse organizational teams. You will look at differences in leadership styles based on factors such as gender, race, ethnic background, religious affiliation, physical ability, and socioeconomic status. You will also give consideration to differences in practice for leadership and management. Finally, you will engage in self-reflection about your own leadership style and how your style might shape your practices as a leader and a manager.

In this assessment, you will look at how leadership theories inform practice, with a specific focus on the relationship between theory and practice for diverse organizational teams. You will look at differences in leadership styles based on factors such as gender, race, ethnic background, religious affiliation, physical ability, and socioeconomic status. You will also give consideration to differences in practice for leadership and management. Finally, you will engage in self-reflection about your own leadership style and how your style might shape your practices as a leader and a manager.

Support the following with relevant academic, scholarly, peer-reviewed resources:

• Assess leadership theories that inform practice with diverse organizational teams.
  • Include at least two theories supported with references.
  • What are the strengths and challenges of both leadership theories?
  • Compare the advantages and disadvantages of each theory in relation to multidisciplinary collaboration.
  • Consider how the two theoretical models might shape or influence collaborative interactions.
• Discuss how leadership styles would differ based on individual characteristics (for example, gender identity, racial or ethnic background, religious affiliation, physical ability, socioeconomic status).
  • Consider whether an authoritarian or servant leader would be perceived differently if they were male versus female.
  • What differences would need to be considered for a person with a physical or mental disability?
  • Note: These questions are illustrative examples, and it is fine to select a different individual characteristic if you wish.
• Evaluate similarities and differences in leadership practices and management practices.
  • What are the role differences between leaders and managers?
  • Consider what it means to manage programs compared to managing people.
  • How are leadership and management practices applied in contemporary human service organizations?
• Discuss the theoretical leadership model that most closely aligns with self-reflection.
  • What are the qualities or traits from the theoretical model that align with your identified style?
  • What does the research indicate when considering leadership styles with subordinates from different cultures?

Your assessment should also meet the following requirements:

• Written communication:
  • Convey purpose in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards.
  • Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.
  • Use the MEAL Plan to construct your paragraphs.
    • A paragraph should have a main idea, evidence, analysis, and link a single idea and should be supported with multiple citations.
  • Clearly define the topic and include transitional phrases and appropriate subheadings.
  • Note: Include a PDF from your Human Services Reflection Journal on leading and managing others from a different ethnic, racial, or cultural group, as well as others who have a different leadership style from your own.
• Resources: Use 10–15 resources. You may use sources that are included in your course readings.
  • Be sure to find, evaluate, and discuss relevant academic, scholarly, peer-reviewed sources for your assessment using the Reviewing the Literature Campus page.
• APA formatting: Headings that define the sections of the paper, resources, and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting. See the Evidence and APA section of the Writing Center for guidance.
• Length of paper: 8–10 typed, double-spaced pages, excluding the cover page and references.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point.

ePortfolio

You may choose to save your coursework to your ePortfolio as you complete iterations of your work for your final assessment.

Review Assessment 1: Theoretical Applications to Inform Human Service Leadership Practice and Styles rubric before submission, and include a PDF from your Human Services Reflection Journal activity.