Unit Learning Outcomes:

• Appraise interactions between leaders and stakeholders that produce beneficial outcomes for both groups.
• Create a comprehensive leadership vision that takes into account the demands and expectations of different stakeholders.

PreparationBefore starting this assignment, you should read the instructions below, review the marking rubric and raise any concerns with your lecturer. Before you write anything, make a plan of how you will research leadership, stakeholder management and your own leadership capability, using diverse methods and sources (as the analysis component is key to this assignment).

Instructions

The Plan should include the following:

1. A title page 2. A contents page 3. An introduction 4. The essential characteristics of a good leader 5. An analysis of your own leadership / stakeholder management strengths and weaknesses 6. A pan to develop your leadership skills 7. Conclusions - including an evaluation of your research skills and process. 8. References

Hereby some further guidance for some of the sections:

Introduction (200 words) Start with a brief outline of what is to follow. This helps the reader to anticipate the content of the plan and to understand its scope. You may choose to indicate here that this report is primarily focused on your own development as a strategic leader and is therefore both reflective and critical.

The essential characteristics of a good leader (500 words) This section is descriptive and should explain what you see as the key characteristics of an excellent leader in your field of business. This section needs in-text referencing to tell the reader where your ideas and/or words come from. Make sure you justify why you see certain aspects as essential.

Analysis of leadership and stakeholder management strengths and weaknesses (850 words) This section involves a critical analysis of your leadership and stakeholder management strengths and weaknesses. This analysis should use the various tools, tests and exercises that have been discussed throughout the unit and as such should contain reflections and interpretations of data you have collected about your own leadership style, approach, traits and/or behaviours. Throughout this discussion you need to say how you have identified your strengths and weaknesses as a leader. You need to reference everything here.

Plan for developing leadership skills (700 words) This section is your forward plan. It is the most important part of your assignment, as this is where you bring everything together. Be specific about your intentions and consider using a table of WWWWH (i.e. a "What, When, Where, Why, How - Table") or a similar tool.

Conclusions (250 words) In your conclusion you should start by echoing the question and the introduction. Include a statement about what you have learned from formulating this Strategic Leadership Plan and what use you think it will serve in your future. You could conclude by making some general statements about the ongoing need for leaders to be self-aware, to reflect and to plan, and summarise how you will do this.