Unit code: A/506/9126: Leadership Qualities and Practice

RQF level: 8

Aim

The unit explores the links between leadership and management at the strategic level. Different leadership styles and underlying principles and concepts will be considered. The unit will explore how team performance can be evaluated and optimised to realize strategic business and operational objectives. The unit covers the links between strategic management and leadership, key leadership principles, theory and organisational strategy.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcomes	Assessment Criteria
1. Be able to understand the relationship between strategic management and leadership	1.1 Critically analyse the concept of managers as effective leaders 1.2 Critically analyse the concept of leaders as effective managers 1.3 Critically evaluate the balance needed between the demands of strategic management and leadership
2. Be able to recognise leadership qualities that support organisational mission and values	2.1 Critically evaluate the role of the leader in the creation of an organisation’s vision, mission and values 2.2 Critically analyse how personal energy, self- belief and responsibility impact leadership styles and their relative success
3. Be able to make use of different leadership strategies and understand their impact on organisational direction	3.1 Critically evaluate transformational leadership and the impact on organisational strategy 3.2 Critically evaluate transactional leadership and the impact on organisational strategy 3.3 Critically evaluate situational leadership and the impact on organisational strategy

The overall purpose of the Level 8 units is to expose learners to a range of models and concepts that they may not have come across when studying at Level 7 or even at master’s level. The objective is to prompt further research and debate. It is paramount at this level to apply critical reflective thinking and challenge the models and concepts introduced in this guide and those discovered as a result of research.