Assignment One:

Write a 3-4-page academic paper in which you describe a business situation, apply a critical thinking framework to the situation, and recommend evidence-based solutions to the situation. Explain how the concepts of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) could affect both the situation and the solution.

Introduction

This portfolio work project will give you practice with academic writing expectations, while still being work relevant. Many organizations have relationships with professional associations and contribute written articles regularly to newsletters and other publications. In addition, some organizations expect leaders to participate in conferences and seminars, where written work must be submitted using an academic style.

While you are playing the role of a new leader in an organization, remember that you are also writing a paper that will be evaluated by an instructor. Thus, you want to make it easy for the instructor to clearly see that you have demonstrated the outcomes of the assessment. Do not make your instructor search for information; guide them to it. How? By double checking the scoring guide and ensuring that you have clearly demonstrated each of these competencies at what you believe is the Distinguished level.

Read the following and think about how Panera used critical thinking and an understanding of VUCA to solve their mosh pit problem. Pay attention to Kallet's critical thinking framework in particular.

• Jargon, J. (2017, June 2). How Panera solved its mosh pit problem. The Wall Street Journal.
• Kallet, M. (2014). Think smarter: Critical thinking to improve problem-solving and decision-making skills. Wiley & Sons.

Then, find another company with a problem they need to fix. You may use nearly any company that you can conduct research on, but do NOT choose the following: United Airlines, Chipotle, Comcast. If you are unsure who to use, try searching "Companies with customer service problems" online and you will get a lot of ideas, though your problem does not have to be about customer service.

In an APA-formatted paper:

1. Summarize the problem you researched. Then, apply Kallet's critical thinking framework to describe how the leadership of this company should think through the problem to create a solution. Finally, give at least one evidence-based solution—either that you came up with through your research or that you read the company is going to or did employ. Next, describe what VUCA considerations the leadership must keep in mind as they implement this solution.
2. Work on being concise but thorough, keeping academically formatted paper to no more than four double-spaced pages.
3. Be sure your paper includes, and is organized, as follows:
   • Introduction: Write an introduction that tells the reader what to expect of this paper (1 paragraph). It would be most effective to include a brief mention that leaders at Panera Bread effectively used an understanding of critical thinking and VUCA to solve their mosh pit problem, and that this paper applies a similar framework to solving whatever problem in the organization you chose. Choose an organization with a problem you can research.
   • Problem: Describe the problem that you will be solving for another company, describing the situation (1-3 paragraphs).
   • Thinking Critically: Apply the framework for critical thinking as outlined by Michael Kallet in the Think Smarter e-book to the problem you identified to describe an evidence-based recommendation for this company to improve. You can create your own unique recommendation, or show how critical thinking applied to a solution that someone else came up with already or applied, which you read about in your research (1-3 paragraphs).
   • Applying VUCA: Explain how VUCA could affect both the situation and your recommendation, and any important considerations for management in implementing the recommended solution (1-2 paragraphs).
   • Conclusion: Write a conclusion that wraps up and summarizes your document (1 paragraph). The Capella Writing Center, linked in the MBA Program Resources under Writing Skills, has good information on how to write an effective conclusion.
   • References: Include at least two APA-formatted citations in your paper.

Deliverable

Write a 3-4-page academic paper (double spaced) following APA style and formatting. Refer to the writing resources in the MBA Program Resources in the courseroom navigation panel, especially paying attention to the MBA Academic and Professional Document Guidelines, under Writing Skills. Note that an academic APA style paper must include sub-headings as well as complete citations and references, and is also expected to be double-spaced.

Evaluation

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies through corresponding scoring guide criteria:

• Competency 2: Apply leadership strengths and behaviors to workplace situations.
  • Apply a critical thinking framework to a business situation.
  • Explain how VUCA can affect a business situation and a recommended solution.
• Competency 3: Recommend evidence-based strategies for leading and collaborating in complex environments.
  • Recommend an evidence-based solution to a business situation.
• Competency 4: Communicate effectively through academic and professional writing.
  • Provide an overview of a business situation.
  • Develop text using organization, structure, and transitions that demonstrate understanding of the relationship between the main topic and subtopics.
  • Integrate appropriate use of scholarly sources, evidence, and citation style.
  • Convey clear meaning in text through sound grammar, usage, word choice, and mechanics.

  Assignment Two:

• Prepare a 2-3-page business report (single spaced) in which you analyze your leadership strengths and develop a statement of who you are as a leader.
  

  Introduction

  This portfolio work project helps you define who you are as a leader. It is something that would be useful to you in annual performance reviews or to use as a reminder of your strengths and best qualities.

  Scenario

  Your leader is interested in your development as a leader in your organization. You have recently taken a variety of self-assessments designed to better understand your strengths, areas of improvement, communication ability, and values. Your leader would like you to spend some time reflecting on the results of your assessments and gathering some additional information from those who know you best.

  Your Role

  Your role is to prepare a report in which you review and reflect on your strengths; collect additional information from 3–5 colleagues, friends, or others who know you well; and create a portrait of yourself as a leader.

  Preparation

  This assessment requires you to collect feedback from 3–5 people who know you best and to complete at least three self-assessments.Collecting Feedback From People:Because not everyone is likely to respond, you should identify at least 6–10 people to ask. Choose a variety of people who have had extended contact with you, such as:

  • Colleagues (former or current), such as vendors, customers, or board members.
  • Friends (old or recent), neighbors, or fellow volunteers.
  • Family members.
  • Others who know you well. Be creative in your choices.

  Try to give your respondents sufficient time to respond. You can create a feedback form or keep it simpler.The questions you should ask are:

  • Who am I when I am at my best?
  • Can you provide a specific example of a time when I was at my best?

  You can reach out by phone, e-mail, text, or in person. Analyze your leadership strengths.

  Self-Assessments

  Take at least three of the six self-assessments listed in the Assessment 2 Resources: Leadership Self-Assessments.

  Requirements

  For this paper:

  • Discuss the strengths, skills, and other positives that were revealed in the three assessments that you took. Do these strengths surprise you or reinforce what you already thought? How do you use these strengths currently? Be sure to clearly explain which assessment gave you the information and cite the assessments in APA format.
  • Discuss your strengths further by summarizing the responses you received and relating how what you learned from the people you talked to and the assessments fits in with what you already knew about yourself, and with the work you currently do or hope to do in the future.
  • Bring together all data points—your own feelings about your skills, what the assessments revealed, what your contacts said about you—in a cohesive discussion of your strengths.
  • Develop a statement of who you are as a leader, based on your analysis. This statement should include your values, strengths, goals, and more. You should include in your statement who you want to be as a leader—what you aspire to become. This way, your statement becomes your own vision of who you want to be and an affirmation to help you grow.
  • Describe some of the areas that you learned are growth opportunities (where you did not perform so strongly). How did you feel about this? What areas do you feel are most important to strengthen? What specific and actionable steps might you take to strengthen these areas?

  Deliverable Format

  Your deliverable is a 2–3-page business report (single spaced). Business reports are formatted differently from academic, APA formatting. For information about the differences, refer to the MBA Program Resources on the left side of the courseroom navigation panel. Once you click this tab, several options will appear in the middle of your screen. Click the Writing option. You will want to review the MBA Academic and Professional Document Guidelines. Note that this business report MUST be single-spaced, professionally formatted, and organized with ample headings. Because this is a personal reflection, you may write it in first person.

  Related Company Standards

  The Defining Yourself As a Leader business report is a professional document and should therefore follow the corresponding MBA Academic and Professional Document Guidelines, including single-spaced paragraphs. In addition to the report, include:

  • Title page or a heading at the top of the first page with title, date, and your name.
  • Introduction.
  • Various sections (see recommended outline below).
  • Conclusion.
  • References page.
  • APA-formatted references (if applicable).

  You might consider using the following outline:

  • Introduction (tell the reader what this paper is about. Do not assume that the reader knows what the assignment is).
  • My Strengths (detail which assessments you took and what strengths and values were revealed).
  • Leadership Statement (create a statement of who you want to be as a leader—make it aspiring, like an affirmation).
  • Growth Opportunities (detail the areas where you have yet to grow and discuss some plans for achieving that growth).
  • Conclusion (wrap up the paper effectively).
  • References (in APA format. Be sure to cite the assessments that you took, and any readings that are applicable).

  Assignment Three:

• Create a PowerPoint presentation that showcases your ability to tell a story.
  

  Introduction

  This portfolio work project will give you practice with professional writing expectations, as well as motivating and persuading others by telling a story.Create a brief slide presentation, with graphics, and preferably your voice presenting, that analyzes the tools and strategies that leaders can use to build trust and collaboration, and explains why you believe storytelling is one effective tool for you to use to lead your team.

  • The Creating a Presentation in the MBA Program Resources and the Guidelines for Effective PowerPoint Presentations [PDF] document will help you with this presentation.
  • The Ariel Group explains that a story needs to follow a basic four-step format that gently leads the audience into the story, through the story, and connecting the story:
    • The Ariel Group. (2011). Executive essentials: Storytelling [PDF]. Available from https://www.arielgroup.com/

  Use this format, based on page 9 of the Ariel group resource, to create six slides (including cover page and references):

  • Slide 1. Cover slide with title and your name, and a graphic for interest (be sure to credit graphic artist in the reference slide).
  • Slide 2. Introduce the subject matter or business content, much as the introduction to a paper would do.
    • Example: "NASA has a reputation for communication issues among teammates, but our team is going to change all of that. This presentation does this and that."
  • Slide 3. Building Trust and Collaboration. Discuss the importance of trust and collaboration in the workplace, then identify and discuss at least two tools or strategies (other than storytelling) leaders can use for building trust and fostering collaboration.
  • Slide 4. Storytelling. Explain ways in which leaders can use storytelling to build trust and relationships.
  • Slide 5. Transition into the story. This slide should transition into your story, setting the expectations of the audience of what is to come.
    • Example: "I once worked at another company that had some major communications issues. It wasn't life or death like here at NASA, but we did have some serious problems in communications that impacted our ability to be effective. Let me share with you a story to illustrate a vision of how we can work together . . ."
  • Slide 6. Tell the Story. This slide should actually tell your story:
    • Set the stage.
    • Describe the conflict.
    • Describe the resolution.
      • Example: "About 10 years ago I was working as a shift leader at a manufacturing facility where safety was supposedly part of the culture, yet we had a frighteningly bad safety record . . ." Continue the story.
  • Slide 7. Connect the story to a teaching point or subject matter. This slide should bring your story back to the issue at hand.
    • Example: "In this situation, we learned this and that. Here at NASA, we can do the same thing. We can prove that communications this and that." Think of this like explaining the moral of the story.
  • Slide 8. References. Include references here.

  Deliverable Format

  • Content and Organization. Attach a PowerPoint presentation that has a cover page, seven content slides per the above, and a references slide. You must have exactly eight slides—learning to follow established guidelines is important in school and the workplace.
  • Audio Presentation. Your slides must be presented with audio; this is an important part of storytelling. Most learners simply record directly into PowerPoint, but you may use other recording software if you wish, as long as your instructor can access it without a password to see your slides and hear your presentation. If you have a disability that makes audio a problem discuss it with your instructor or coach.
  • Slide Appearance. Your slides should be modern, professional, and effective. This means using color and some graphic design. Templates in PowerPoint can help with this. There are many free graphics websites you can use for graphics. Be sure to provide an APA citation for any graphics.
  • Presenter Notes. Note that your slides should not be text heavy. However, you should make ample use of presenter notes. While the presenter notes do not have to be a word-for-word transcript, they should be very close to what you say in your audio.
  • References. Your presentation must be evidence based, and as such must have APA formatted citations. This includes a reference slide at the end, but also intext citations on the slides themselves or in the presenter notes.