Assignment
You will write a research paper that uses a recognized leadership theory to describe how that leadership theory applies to a nonprofit organization's executive director (CEO). I am interested in having you think about the organizational structure of your nonprofit (or any nonprofit), the staffing, the type of board of directors, and the mission of the organization and then consider a current leadership theory and how it would be helpful in enhancing the leadership capacity of the ED. You will establish a connection between the leadership of your selected nonprofit and a leadership theory you believe to have the potential to strengthen the leadership capacity of your organization. Some leadership theories from which you might want to choose are described in these books:
1. The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner
2. Adaptive Leadership by Ronald Heifetz and others
3. Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge by Burt Nanus and Warren Bennis
4. Primal Leadership (Emotional Intelligence) by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzes, and Annie McKee
5. Appreciative Inquiry by David Cooperrider
If you wish to choose a different theory, please seek my approval before launching into the project. This is a research paper and should demonstrate your ability to seek information outside the assigned readings from this class. As graduate students, you are expected analyze material and not simply regurgitate what you have read. You are to use both library and online resources to prepare this work. Please submit your assignment in an academic double spaced format. Write your paper in Word and then send it as an attachment in the assignment section of the course. Adhere to APA 6th Edition format. Papers should be at least 4,000 words and no more than 5,000 words.