Organizational Leadership
OGL 200 - Introduction to Organizational Leadership
This was my first class I took at ASU. I learned how to succeed in an online class, which set me up for the rest of my academic career. I learned what positive and negative leader attributes are. I was given a chart that had a list of the attributes and I gave it to my team in my current job and asked, “Which of these do I have? What should I work on?” My team was taken aback by my request, but delivered! Then they asked if we could do it for one another and see where we all stood and what we could improve on! We have implemented this to use quarterly as a check in to see where we are, if we are improving, and how we can work better together. I was able to understand what leadership is, and what traits, skills and strengths are required. I learned about the different leadership styles and thories, and well as tasks, vision, climate, ethics and relationships. One of my biggest takeaways was learning about diversity and how to listen to outgroup members. This helped me learn how to manage and overcome obstacles and conflicts. It was great to realize that in my company, a lot of the conflicts stemmed from outgroup members and I was able to embrace them.
Key Content: “Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice” by Peter G. Northouse; EI Games “Leadership & Management Game"
Key Content: “Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice” by Peter G. Northouse; EI Games “Leadership & Management Game"
OGL 260: Resource Allocation in Organizations
I walked into this class not knowing anything about financials. My company was going through an acquisition. I sat in board meetings that were going over my head. Slowly I learned what a bondholder, stockholder and creditors were. I began to understand that our sale would have preferred stockholders, which meant they wouldn’t have a vote. This helped my understanding so I could make an informed vote when we were deciding to sell. We dove into financial markets and interest rates, and spent time learning how to comprehend financial statements. I learned about the meaning and measurement of risk, as well as looking at finance models for budgeting and financial planning.
Key Content: Foundations of Finance, 8th edition, Copyright 2014, Arthur Keown, John Martin, and J. William Petty
Key Content: Foundations of Finance, 8th edition, Copyright 2014, Arthur Keown, John Martin, and J. William Petty
OGL 300 - Theories of Leadership
Leadership is hard to define, as it means different things to each person. Sheryl Sandberg says, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” I learned that being a leader is meeting people at their level and helping them succeed. Before I thought a leader was these big definitions I had seen, but I learned that leaders come in all shapes and forms. I have taken this understanding to my work life and shared it with my daughter. To lead isn’t just to tell people what to do, it is to change the way they think, to encourage them, and to inspire them to continue. We first had to understand what leadership is and then we were able to recognize what leadership traits we had. We saw the different philosophies and styles, and how we can go about developing more leadership skills. These skills include establishing a constructive climate, embracing diversity and inclusion, listening to out-group members, and managing conflicts while overcoming obstacles.
Key Content: Leadership 7th ed. by Northouse (2015); Signature Case Study by Recurrence Inc.; Video: Northouse on Leadership weekly; Checkland, K. _2014. Leadership in the NHS: Does the emperor have any clothes? Journal of Health Services Research & Policy 19_4_, 253-326
Key Content: Leadership 7th ed. by Northouse (2015); Signature Case Study by Recurrence Inc.; Video: Northouse on Leadership weekly; Checkland, K. _2014. Leadership in the NHS: Does the emperor have any clothes? Journal of Health Services Research & Policy 19_4_, 253-326
OGL 355: Leading Organizational Innovation
In this class I learned about corporate strategies and how to manage the content to create functional and competitive strategies. The SWOT Analysis has been career changing. We have quarterly retreats for our executive team. I have implemented twice a year we spend a full day doing an in depth SWOT analysis. The first one was rather painful as people were getting their feelings hurt when their department had a weakness, at the second one real work started to happen. Our team was able to give honest feedback and use the SWOT for strategy planning and building a company road map. We have now begun to use SWOT for each department, then we will do the high level SWOT to address the issues. The other tool I have been able to apply is Porter’s Five Force Model. We are able to use this to plan our strategy and see where we are currently. This helps identify threats or competition we may not be seeing.
Key Content: Coulter, M. (2013). Strategic Management in Action; Strategy Videos – The Single Biggest Reason Why Startups Succeed; Two Reasons Companies Fail… And How to Avoid Them; Your Strategy Needs a Strategy; What is Strategy?; What is Strategic Planning, Really?; The Five Competitive Forces that Shape Strategy; Porter’s 5 Force Model; Understanding Marketing; SWOT Analysis: How to Perform One for your Organization; McDonald’s SWOT; Environmental Scanning; Steve Jobs on Success; How to Develop Competitive Advantage; Comp ADV; International Strategy: What Means International Strategy; McDonald’s Global Strategy
Key Content: Coulter, M. (2013). Strategic Management in Action; Strategy Videos – The Single Biggest Reason Why Startups Succeed; Two Reasons Companies Fail… And How to Avoid Them; Your Strategy Needs a Strategy; What is Strategy?; What is Strategic Planning, Really?; The Five Competitive Forces that Shape Strategy; Porter’s 5 Force Model; Understanding Marketing; SWOT Analysis: How to Perform One for your Organization; McDonald’s SWOT; Environmental Scanning; Steve Jobs on Success; How to Develop Competitive Advantage; Comp ADV; International Strategy: What Means International Strategy; McDonald’s Global Strategy
OGL 360: Assessment of Leadership Effectiveness
I loved the 12 week leadership plan so much, I presented it at our annual Manager Kick Off Retreat. The Leadership Challenge changed the way I viewed leadership and gave me a lot to work on. I had my company buy this book for every manager. Then I presented my 12 week project; though to be fair – I got with my marketing team and they put it together and made it pretty for me. We went through the main topics of The Leadership Challenge and then gave the team goals to complete. Learning the five practices of effective leadership helped me model my values and rework how I lead to be better. The five practices are: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. If you are able to do these five, you will most likely have followers who respect you.
Key Content: The Leadership Challenge, 6th edition (2017), by Kouzes and Posner Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before (2003), by Tony Horwitz
Key Content: The Leadership Challenge, 6th edition (2017), by Kouzes and Posner Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before (2003), by Tony Horwitz
Organizational Behavior
OGL 220: Behavioral Dynamics in Organization
I am not a confrontational person, so I was able to learn conflict styles and how I can avoid them (if possible). One way I have applied is having a shared goal for my department and giving everyone a voice for the goal. We do quarterly metrics, and I work with my team to come up with things they believe we can meet and weight the importance of each one. We spent time learning about values, self knowledge, and social comparison. We studies different personality traits, emotional intelligence and stress; while learning how to utilize mental models and empathy. I learned a lot about communication (verbal and non verbal), and how to understand your conflict style and ways to come to a resolution.
Key Content: McCann, Vivian (2016). Human Relations: The Art and Science of Building Effective Relationships (Second Edition). Pearson Education, Inc.
Key Content: McCann, Vivian (2016). Human Relations: The Art and Science of Building Effective Relationships (Second Edition). Pearson Education, Inc.
BIS 343: Social Processes in Organizations
My biggest takeaway in this class was how to work successfully on a team. While there can be leaders on teams, it is also possible for each person to be a leader. Teamwork is not something that is easily taught, but if you apply yourself you can learn (sometimes by trial and error). My team had people from all walks of life and different countries. We were able to spend time bonding and discussing how we work best, and use that to our advantage. I learned to write a team charter, which I had my scrum teams do in my professional life. More than that, I was able to talk to my daughter about being on a team and how your role is important. Teamwork skills include communication, decision-making, creativity, cultural considerations and compensation. One of the most important things teams must do is team building activities. Without a bond and understanding of one another, it stifles success.
Key Content: Thompson, Leigh (2018). Making the Team: A Guide for Managers, 6th edition. Pearson. The Blind Man and the Elephant; Key Concepts in Interdisciplinarity; Interdisciplinary Needs of Organizations
Key Content: Thompson, Leigh (2018). Making the Team: A Guide for Managers, 6th edition. Pearson. The Blind Man and the Elephant; Key Concepts in Interdisciplinarity; Interdisciplinary Needs of Organizations
OGL 350: Diversity and Organizations
I got a lot of this class, and I think it’s because it dealt with current issues and we had a great class participating in the discussion boards. In our current climate, there is a lot of prejudice, and people are not being as accepting as they once were. I was able to learn how to be inclusive, truly inclusive, and bring this into my life. I not only was able to apply this to my professional life but my personal life as well. We had to do a cultural immersion activity and I went to eat with my coworker from Iran and her family. I learned that it is okay to ask questions, that they want you to understand, and how hard being a first generation American is. It gave me a broader outlook and made me a more empathetic person. We really studied cultural definitions, models and influences, as well as cultural impact. With all this together, we were able to look at the cultural implications, and how to make them positive experiences. We had a lot of different readings for this class instead of a textbook, which I found to be really great as I was able to apply my learning to current issues.
Key Content: Creary, S. F. (2016). Resourcefulness in Action: The Case for Global Diversity Management. In Positive organizing in a global society: understanding and engaging differences for capacity building and inclusion; Mor Burak, M. (2014). Diversity Management – Chapter 10. Managing Diversity: Towards a Global Inclusive Workforce.; NPR (2016.) ‘Rent-A-Miniority’ Promises A Satirical Solution to Diversity Problems; Tatum, B. (2010). The complexity of Identity: Who Am I? In Readings for Diversity and Justice Blake, J. (2014). The new threat: ‘Racism without racists’; King, E., Avery, D. and Sackett, P. (2013). Editorial: Three Perspectives of Employment Discrimination 50 Years After the Civil Rights Act – A Promise Fulfilled? ; Nier, J. A. and Garetner, SL. (2012). The Challenge of Detecting Contemporary Forms of Discrimination. Journal of Social Issues; Stereotypes Are Only Human. NPR; Fahy, C. (2009). Social Class Diversity; Harro, B. (2010). Defining Cycle of Socialization, Readings for Diversity and Social Justice; McIntosh, P. (1988). Chapter 33: White Privilege Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack; Clark, S. (2005). Mariachi music as a symbol of Mexican culture in the United States. International Journal of Music Education; Gassman-Pines, A., & Skinner, A. T. (2018). Psychological Acculturation and Parenting Behaviors in Mexican-Immigrant Families; Mirowsky, J., & Ross, C. (1984). Mexican Culture and its Emotional Contradictions. Journal of Health and Social Behavior; Wheeler, Lorey A., Updegraff, Kimberly A., & Thayer, Shawna M. (2010). Conflict Resolution in Mexican-Origin Couples: Culture, Gender, and Marital Quality. Journal of Marriage and Family; Lubin, G. (2014). 25 Fascinating Charts of Negotiation Styles Around the World; Roosevelt, T.R. (1996). Giraffe and Elephant; Ungerleider, J. (2008). Conflict. Chapter 8 in Effective Multicultural Teams: Theory and Practice Matveev, A. (2017). Intercultural Competence in Multicultural Teams. In Intercultural Competence in Organizations A Guide for Leaders, Educators and Team Players; Chrobot-Mason, D., Ruderman, M.N. & Nishii, L.H. (2013). Leadership in a Diverse Workplace. Chapter 18 in The Oxford Handbook of Diversity and Work; Williams, K. (2008). Effective Leadership for Multicultural Teams. Chapter 6 in Effective Multicultural Teams: Theory and Practice
Key Content: Creary, S. F. (2016). Resourcefulness in Action: The Case for Global Diversity Management. In Positive organizing in a global society: understanding and engaging differences for capacity building and inclusion; Mor Burak, M. (2014). Diversity Management – Chapter 10. Managing Diversity: Towards a Global Inclusive Workforce.; NPR (2016.) ‘Rent-A-Miniority’ Promises A Satirical Solution to Diversity Problems; Tatum, B. (2010). The complexity of Identity: Who Am I? In Readings for Diversity and Justice Blake, J. (2014). The new threat: ‘Racism without racists’; King, E., Avery, D. and Sackett, P. (2013). Editorial: Three Perspectives of Employment Discrimination 50 Years After the Civil Rights Act – A Promise Fulfilled? ; Nier, J. A. and Garetner, SL. (2012). The Challenge of Detecting Contemporary Forms of Discrimination. Journal of Social Issues; Stereotypes Are Only Human. NPR; Fahy, C. (2009). Social Class Diversity; Harro, B. (2010). Defining Cycle of Socialization, Readings for Diversity and Social Justice; McIntosh, P. (1988). Chapter 33: White Privilege Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack; Clark, S. (2005). Mariachi music as a symbol of Mexican culture in the United States. International Journal of Music Education; Gassman-Pines, A., & Skinner, A. T. (2018). Psychological Acculturation and Parenting Behaviors in Mexican-Immigrant Families; Mirowsky, J., & Ross, C. (1984). Mexican Culture and its Emotional Contradictions. Journal of Health and Social Behavior; Wheeler, Lorey A., Updegraff, Kimberly A., & Thayer, Shawna M. (2010). Conflict Resolution in Mexican-Origin Couples: Culture, Gender, and Marital Quality. Journal of Marriage and Family; Lubin, G. (2014). 25 Fascinating Charts of Negotiation Styles Around the World; Roosevelt, T.R. (1996). Giraffe and Elephant; Ungerleider, J. (2008). Conflict. Chapter 8 in Effective Multicultural Teams: Theory and Practice Matveev, A. (2017). Intercultural Competence in Multicultural Teams. In Intercultural Competence in Organizations A Guide for Leaders, Educators and Team Players; Chrobot-Mason, D., Ruderman, M.N. & Nishii, L.H. (2013). Leadership in a Diverse Workplace. Chapter 18 in The Oxford Handbook of Diversity and Work; Williams, K. (2008). Effective Leadership for Multicultural Teams. Chapter 6 in Effective Multicultural Teams: Theory and Practice
Project Management
OGL 321: Project Leadership, Strategy and Scope
I was very green to project management. Key takeaways for me were: Have a detailed plan. Just having an idea is great, but I must have a detailed plan to walk my team through (though I need to be flexible in case things go not according to plan.). Planning is actually figuring out how it will be done and organizing tasks and timelines for success. The other aspect of planning that cannot be forgotten is to involve the stakeholders. By keeping them involved you will know what their definition of done is, what level they want the product at, what the budget is and most importantly what is the timeline. I have begun having planning meetings with my team and the stakeholders. We can get information from them, but then we meet separately to detail out our plan. This has made our projects more successful and stopped us from “going down the rabbit hole” in projects.
Key Content: Project Management Simulation: Scope, Resources, Schedule V2, Robert D. Austin (Harvard Business Publishing, 2013); A Project Manager's Guide to Making Successful Decisions, Chapter 1 "Decision-Making: The Key to Project Success"; Brining the PMBOK Guide to Life: A Companion for the Practicing Project Manager, Chapter 2 (pgs. 27-48); Project Management Best Practices by Harold Kerzner (2010), Chapter 10 "Behavioral Excellence"; Managing Project Uncertainty by David Cleden, Chapter 3 "Problem Solving Strategies for Managing Uncertainty" and Chapter 4 "Knowledge Centric Strategies"; Project Manager's Spotlight on Risk ManagementChapter 4 "Preventing Scope and Schedule Risks", PMI's Pulse on the Profession: The High Cost of Low Performance; Ethics and Project Management by Ralph Kleim, Chapter 2 "Why Ethics Should Matter to Project Managers", PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
Key Content: Project Management Simulation: Scope, Resources, Schedule V2, Robert D. Austin (Harvard Business Publishing, 2013); A Project Manager's Guide to Making Successful Decisions, Chapter 1 "Decision-Making: The Key to Project Success"; Brining the PMBOK Guide to Life: A Companion for the Practicing Project Manager, Chapter 2 (pgs. 27-48); Project Management Best Practices by Harold Kerzner (2010), Chapter 10 "Behavioral Excellence"; Managing Project Uncertainty by David Cleden, Chapter 3 "Problem Solving Strategies for Managing Uncertainty" and Chapter 4 "Knowledge Centric Strategies"; Project Manager's Spotlight on Risk ManagementChapter 4 "Preventing Scope and Schedule Risks", PMI's Pulse on the Profession: The High Cost of Low Performance; Ethics and Project Management by Ralph Kleim, Chapter 2 "Why Ethics Should Matter to Project Managers", PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
Organizational Assessment
BIS 345: Organizational Ethics
The case study gave me the most understanding of Ethics. I work in the software industry, so I did my study over companies in the tech field. I learned what is expected of companies and what is unethical. An example would be Facebook mining data. It is in the fine print that they can use your data to present ads that are relevant to your interests. But does that make it ethical? Is social media helping us or hurting us? It brought up a lot of good questions and had me evaluate our company to make sure we were making ethical decisions. We are a part of the tech boom, and there is a lot we are new too so it’s important to make sure we are being ethical. Looking over the responsibilities of business executive ethics was very interesting and had me taking a hard look at myself.
Key Content: EI Games - Moral Minefield
Ethics Theory and Business Practice; Fryer, Mick. (2015)
Key Content: EI Games - Moral Minefield
Ethics Theory and Business Practice; Fryer, Mick. (2015)
BIS 357: Assessment in Organizations
I completed an assessment of my company and took this to our leadership team. I prefaced that it was an amateur assessment, but it helped inspire our team to vote to get a professional assessment. We were in the middle of talks regarding selling the company to a venture fund – so the assessment was helpful in the sale and knowing where we should improve. I was able to compare Good-to-Great, the Baldridge Award, LESAT 2 and Shingo prize to see where our company fit. I think the biggest takeaway was learning the best practices for organizational assessment models.
Key Content: Lusthaus, Charles, ed. Organizational assessment: A framework for improving performance; Collins, Jim. Good to Great-Quickie Book Summary; EI Games: Organizational Assessment Game
Key Content: Lusthaus, Charles, ed. Organizational assessment: A framework for improving performance; Collins, Jim. Good to Great-Quickie Book Summary; EI Games: Organizational Assessment Game