Faculty
Professor Ella L. Bell
Objectives
Exceeding performance expectations is not enough in today’s business climate if an executive is to succeed. Executives must find ways for developing their employees in order to get the very best productivity. Wise leaders recognize that people are a source of corporate wealth. A potent leader co-creates with his or her people to push the company ahead of the competition. But before a leader can assume this role and responsibility, he or she must be willing to engage in their own developmental journey. In this course, we take leadership out of the box by studying the lives of extraordinary leaders while engaging in our own self-exploration. Our intent is to appreciate the strengths and frailties all leaders possess, and to understand the learning edges we all experience. This course creates the space to study, reflect on and discuss principles of leadership, such as self-awareness, identity, faith, vision, courage, passion, mindfulness and commitment. By studying the lives of others, we learn how the context shapes the experiences and choices of leaders over the course of their lives. We also recognize the power of the historical moment that enables certain men and women to come to the forefront at critical times.
Another element of Leadership Out Of The Box is for participants to engage in their own self-analysis. A variety of structured experiential and written exercises are used to enhance the participant’s self-awareness. Here the intent is for participants to examine their essential values and goals. Issues of identity will be investigated including: gender, race, ethnicity, class and sexual orientation. We strive to discover the behavioral patterns, mental models and other influences that are the driving forces in our lives.
Structure of the Course
Leadership Out Of The Box is a seminar course that will incorporate experiential exercises, self-reflection and self-discovery. In class, time will be devoted to: (1) self-discovery; (2) discussion and reflection on the assigned reading; (3) identifying key principles of leadership and the manifestations of these principles in a person’s life; and (4) journaling key learning and goals.
Requirements
Each student is to write a myography – a self-reflective paper about your life. Your myography should capture the key experiences, people, events and influences that have shaped your life journey thus far. Another way to think of this assignment is to answer the question: Who am I? Papers should be no more than 12 double-spaced, typed pages.
Group Assignment:*,
A Leader in Your Generation
The purpose of this assignment is for a small group of students to collaborate on developing a criteria for leadership, identifying an individual who meets your criteria but who also represents your generation. The challenge is to identify an individual who is making a difference in the world. Groups should be open in selecting people from different walks of life. In addition, pay attention to issues of diversity including – gender, race, ethnicity, social class, religious background and sexual orientation.
Your group is to prepare a written case study on the individual selected. The case study must entail fieldwork, social and current event analysis.
Relevant questions for groups to think about are:
What is your criteria for leadership?
How did you select your individual? What do you most admire about this individual?
What contribution has this person made?
How has this person made a difference?
How would you describe this individual's life’s journey?
What are the gaps in this individual's leadership development?
Each group will prepare a presentation on their leader and a written case study.
* A minimum of 5 people per group is required.
Due Dates*
Myography due Oct 16
Group Project Case Study due Nov 20
A Leader of Our Generation
*All papers are to be handed in to Patricia Hunt, 210 Chase Hall, by 3 P.M. Electronic copies of papers will not be accepted.
Materials
Required and Assigned Readings
Books to Purchase--Books are available at Wheelock Books and the Dartmouth Bookstore, *books may not be available and may need to be purchased elsewhere.
The Arbinger Institute, Leadership and Self-Deception.
Derrick Bell, Ethical Ambition: Living A Life of Meaning and Worth.
Joseph Campbell, Clarissa Pinkola, and Estes, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Commemerative Edition (Bollingen Series).
Rachel Carson, Silent Spring.
David Garrow, Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Carol Pearson, The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By., 1998*
In addition, there are required readings included in your course pack.
Optional Readings
Tamara Draut, Strapped, Why America’s 20- and 30-Somethings Can’t Get Ahead.
Bill George, Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering The Secrets To Creating Lasting Value.
Daniel Gilbert, Stumbling on Happiness, Think You Know What Makes You Happy?
James C. Hunter, The World’s Most Powerful Leadership Principles: How to Become a Servant Leader.
Linda Lear, Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature. (The reading for this book is in your course packet)
Carol Pearson, Awakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes to Help Find Ourselves and Transform Our World, 1991*
Honor Code
In this class, students will work in the spirit and behavior of Tuck’s Honor Principle. Our primary goal is to build a learning community where we all can grow and develop in an atmosphere of integrity where “honest and imaginative academic work may flourish.”
Grading
Myography 30%
Group Presentation 20%
Case Study 30%
Participation 20%
Schedule
Sept 15
The Hero's Journey:
What it teaches us about leadership
Activity: Movie: The Lion King
Servant Leadership, Chapters 1 and 4
Sept 22
Who are you? Embracing Your Hero/Shero Within
Activity:
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
Read Introduction prior to class
The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By
Use the link below to go to the PMAI instrument. You must enter a code. The list of codes is in the course folder. Please use only the code assigned to you.
Sept 29
To Be A Kid Again
Film: The Kid
Stumbling on Happiness, Think You Know What Makes You Happy? “Part 1 Prospection,” Chapter 11 and Afterward
Herbert Shepard on Working With Careers, “The Realization of Human Potential: A Path with a Heart” (To be handed out in class).
Writing assignment to be given in class.
Oct 5
Becoming a Resonant Leader
Activity: My Corporate Persona
Group Project: Discussion and Planning
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box
Oct 13
Group Assignments: Work on Leadership Case Studies
Oct 16
Myography Due
All papers are to be handed in to Patricia Hunt, 210 Chase Hall . Electronic copies of papers will not be accepted.
Myography Due
All papers are to be handed in to Patricia Hunt, 210 Chase Hall . Electronic copies of papers will not be accepted.
Oct 27
Vision Quest
Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and The Southern Christian Leadership Conference pages 11-82
Questions to Guide Reading:
Describe the historical moment that brought King's leadership to life.
What was the source of King's passion?
Identify the early life factors that influenced him.
Using a political lens, describe the political landscape King was navigating.
Identify the key elements, both positive and negative, of King's leadership.
Given King's developmental stage, what were the tasks he was dealing with?
Nov 3
The Quiet Leader: The Power of Mindfulness, Passion and Commitment
Silent Spring
Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature,Chapters 1, 2 and 3
Questions to guide reading:
Describe the historical moment that served as a backdrop for Carson’s life.
What was the source of her passion?
What were the obstacles in her life that were gender based?
Identify the early life factors that influenced her.
Identify the elements of Carson's leadership in terms of her contribution to society
Nov 10
Integration of the Ideal Self and the Real Self
Activity: Creating a Life-draft
Marjorie Williams, The Woman at The Washington Zoo, pages 307-351
Thursday, Nov 19
Group Presentations and Celebration
Nov 20
Case Studies Due: A Leader of Our Generation
All papers are to be handed in to Patricia Hunt, 210 Chase Hall, by 3:00 pm. Electronic copies of papers will not be accepted.
