Advanced Leadership and Decision Making

Organisations are groups of people working together for a purpose. Despite the pervasiveness of organisations in our modern society, effective group behaviour does not always come naturally. In fact, many goals are never achieved due to poor group dynamics rather than a lack of skills, vision or strategy.  This unit will help students to develop an understanding of how an organisation can encourage effective, efficient, social and ethical behaviour; how leadership styles, organisational structure and value systems influence behaviour and how ultimately the group dynamics impact the effectiveness of the organisation in its pursuit of its purpose.

Awards offering Advanced Leadership and Decision Making

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Applied Social Science
• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Ministry
• Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Theology
• Bachelor of Ministry

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This unit is a study of the dynamics of individual and group behaviour and will encourage students to develop an understanding of how an organisation can encourage effective social and ethical behaviour. It covers traditional theoretical and recent developments arising out of psychology and sociology, different organisation structures, value systems and leadership styles which influencbehaviour.

Outcomes

1. Assess and compare major theories of individual behaviour within organisations and explain factors that influence individual behaviour in the workplace (e.g. perception, personality, motivation); 

2. Assess and compare theories and models related to dyadic interactions in organisations and evaluate their impacts on organisational outcomes; 

3. Evaluate the impact of leadership styles on employee performance and organisational effectiveness and propose improvement strategies based on assessed theories and concepts; 

4. Compare and assess current theories of individual and group decision making within organisations,  
5. Discuss and explain how organisational leaders’ decision-making interacts with organisational structure and culture in facilitating change;
6. Describe and evaluate organisational communication theories, and explain the attributes and impacts of communication within organisations including in leader-member exchange and mass communication contexts; 
7. Describe Australian corporate structures, including within churches and NFP organisations, and critically assess leadership models adopted for churches and NFP organisations; 
8. Explain and appraise issues of power and responsibility in churches and NFP organisations, incorporating Christian and other perspectives;  
9. Discuss and explain the role of leadership in shaping organisational responses to changing operating environments. 

Subject Content

1. Leadership overview 
   - Styles of leadership 
   - Values-based leadership
   - Christian leadership 

2. Establishing vision, mission and values 
   -Flowing vision through an organisation
   -Discerning God’s will 

3. Decision-making in organisations 
   - Individual characteristics 
   - Christian perspectives 

4. Communication in organisations 
   - Communication for influence 
   - Communication strategy 

5. Cross-cultural leading 
   - Cultural intelligence 
   - Cross-cultural awareness for leaders 

6. Power and responsibility in organisations 
   - Christian perspectives on power and influence 
   - Power and culture 
   - Leadership power 

7. Leading teams 

8. Leading through change 
   - Theories of change management 

9. Leadership for the long vision 

10. Leading for social responsibility 
    - Faith perspectives on social responsibility 
    - Corporate social responsibility
    - Moral considerations 

11. Innovation and leadership 

12. Personal issues in leadership 
    - Burnout 
    - Stress management 
    - Strengthening leadership soul

This course may be offered in the following formats

• Face-to-Face
• Distance/ Global Online

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

• Written Report (50%)
• Forum Posts (30%)
• Presentation (20%)

Prescribed Text

•  Irving, J. & Strauss, M. (2019). Leadership in Christian Perspective: Biblical Foundations and Contemporary Practices for Servant Leaders. Baker Academic. 

Please consult your instructor before purchasing any texts