Critical Thinking Activity

Rubric Details

• Required sections

40 possible points (40%)

• Readability, Length. Consistency

40 possible points (40%)

• Cover Page

10 possible points (10%)

• Title

10 possible points (10%

Instructions

This assignment assesses your ability to analyze leadership and management decisions using concepts related to leadership styles, authority, participation, and control covered in the course materials.

The focus is on reasoned evaluation and trade-offs, not personal preference.

Scenario

A mid-sized organization in Toronto is experiencing the following challenges:

• Missed deadlines and inconsistent performance
• Low employee engagement during team meetings
• Managers reporting frustration about a lack of control
• Employees reporting that decisions are made either too slowly or without sufficient input

Senior leadership is considering changing its leadership and management approach.

Your Task

Using leadership concepts covered in the course materials for Chapter 8, analyze the situation and provide recommendations. You must address all sections below. Use clear headings.

Required Sections

1. Leadership Styles Under Consideration

Briefly explain two leadership styles relevant to this situation (for example, participative or directive leadership).

Focus on:

• How authority is exercised
• How decisions are made
• The role of employee input
• Avoid listing textbook definitions.

2. Decision-Making and Control

Analyze the trade-offs between:

• managerial control, and
• employee participation

In your analysis, explain:

• one benefit of increased participation
• one risk or limitation of participative leadership
• Support your response with business reasoning.

3. Manager Capability and Change

Consider a manager who is accustomed to giving clear orders and maintaining tight control.

• Is it realistic to expect this manager to move toward a more participative approach?
• Identify one challenge that might arise during this transition
• Identify one support, structure, or practice that could help make the transition successful

4. Recommendation

Based on your analysis:

• Recommend one leadership approach for this organization
• Explain why it is appropriate for this situation
• Acknowledge one potential drawback or risk of your recommendation
• Your recommendation must demonstrate awareness of trade-offs.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Formatting and Submission Requirements

• Font size 12
• 1.5 line spacing
• 2.54 cm margins (top, bottom, left, right)
• Maximum two pages (excluding cover page)
• Run spell check and edit your work
• Include clear headings for each of your four required sections
• Add page numbers
• Attach a cover page
• Provide references only if applicable (lecture material is acceptable)

What This Assignment Is Not

• Not a personal reflection
• Not a list of leadership styles
• Not an opinion-only response