In this assessment you will construct a reflective essay that responds to your own or others experience from a leadership position. Using leadership and ethics models and theories, you will apply analysis and critical thinking to the experience, as well as reflecting on lessons learnt for the future.

This major assignment provides you with an opportunity to reflect on your capabilities as an individual and as a current or future professional - and most importantly as a leader (or potential future leader) in an organisational setting, and in the context of your current or intended future career. This assignment enables you to develop your own recorded reflection of your capabilities and your career progression and/or your personal development as a leader.

Four aspects you should include in your reflective essay 1. An account of formative positions you have held, and the skills and competencies you have acquired, utilised and developed in each position - along with a reflection on the lessons learnt. Positions may include work, school, sporting groups etc. 2. An analysis and reflection of your Personality Attributes - areas of strength, and (potential) areas for further development - and the relevance that these have for you as a leader. You will be provided with several personality questionnaires throughout this course which you may use to help you reflect on your traits, personal inclinations, and overall temperament or disposition. 3. A considered analysis of your predominant or preferred Leadership Style, behaviour and approaches, and a reflection on the strengths and (potential) limitations of these. Numerous leadership style questionnaires are widely available from various sources as well as available on your CANVAS and web learning. We will be developing your "self-reflection" during the workshop activities and referring you to these instruments in class. 4. An overall learning and development plan - which could include your current studies as well as any work-related training and development programs you are or will be undertaking - and a reflection of the skills and competencies you expect to attain from these experiences The important overarching aspect of this assignment is that it is a "self-reflection" exercise - and in that respect, there is plenty of scope and latitude for you to include elements and aspects that are relevant to you. Here are some additional aspects that might be very valuable inclusions in your reflection document: (a) A reflection of your current organisation's culture and the extent to which you 'fit' well with that culture (b) A reflection on your core values and how they help to define you as a leader, and an assessment of your ethical framework. (c) An overview of your networking efforts, important connections, mentors, role models, influential colleagues or friends in professional positions (d) An assessment of your relationship with your immediate superior, or mentor - if you happen to have a mentor. The above are suggestions only. It is expected that you will formulate your assignment according to your own circumstances, stage of professional development, and preferred emphasis. You may most certainly utilise appendices to include other relevant materials that don't fit seamlessly into the body of your assignment. Your final submission should be formatted in a professional manner, with relevant sections clearly delineated so that it is easy to read and make sense of. You will need to include substantial paragraphs with analytical discussion to demonstrate meaningful reflection on your part. Here are two suggested formats you might find useful to structure your essay. Suggested format 1 1. Introduction 2. My Personality 3. My Values and Ethical Perspective 4. My Leadership Style 5. My Future Development 6. Conclusion