Reference no: EM132317510

Topic - The VUCA leader-manager

Learning outcomes - This topic supports the following learning outcome in the subject:

• reflect on their own management competencies required for today's complex, diverse and globalised workplaces.

In this topic, we will examine four points:

1. The importance of values in guiding the decisions of leader-managers in contemporary organisations

2. A framework of moral leadership values that can be used to guide leader-manager action in addressing management problems

3. Competencies that leader-managers require in contemporary organisations

4. Personal reflection on your own values and management competencies.

Learning activity 1 -

1. How do values shape behaviour, especially when we face choices?

2. Can you think of two examples of how values shape behaviour, perhaps your behaviour?

Learning activity 2 -

In this activity, you are developing a list of potentially conflicting values that raise moral dilemmas within five scenarios. The example below illustrates how this works.

Example: Managing people: as managers we may be motivated by creating meaningful work that brings out the best in our people or we may simply want to maximise output for least cost. Can you see the strikingly different values here?

Taking a specific example: dealing with poor performance of a staff member. We can apply a developmental value, working with her to identify gaps, causes and possible remedial actions. Or, we can apply a value of maximising productivity and, to this end, apply some penalty.

Now, try working out possible conflicting values where a manager has to deal with the following five scenarios:

1. Introducing an artificial intelligence solution in services occupations.

2. Whether to fund an investment in a non-renewable resource (for example, a bank dealing with mining companies).

3. Dealing with an allegation of mistreatment of employees by a manager with a stellar performance record.

4. Introducing a (costly) technology to reduce a company's carbon footprint.

5. Responding to a 'threat' from a competitor who is making inroads into your market share (for example, Amazon in the retail and grocery space).

Learning activity 3 -

Given the centrality of this notion of ethical leadership in VUCA world, let's pause here to consider the main points you took from this reading.

Write down the top four points from this reading, focusing on pages 168-173.

Then, reflect on how this perspective aligns with your own values and practice.

Learning activity 4 -

How does the moral leadership framework apply to the decision that Peter Walsh faces in the case of the week? Apply the moral leadership framework to construct the options available to Peter Walsh.

Learning activity 5 -

1. Can you relate to what Bill George is suggesting? What examples of these attributes in action can you think of from your experience?

2. Using the ideas by Bill George, what attributes would you add to the framework suggested by Samson and Daft?

Learning activity 6 -

What other skills and attributes would you suggest are important for the VUCA leader-manager?

The following readings will help you to get started:

Bawany, S. (2016). NextGen leaders for a VUCA world. Leadership Excellence Essentials, 33(8), 43-44.

Horney, N., Pasmore, B., & O'Shea, T. (2010). Leadership agility: A business imperative for a VUCA world. People & Strategy, 33(4), 32-38.

Casey, G. W. (2014). Leading in a 'VUCA' world: Volatility. Uncertainty. Complexity. Ambiguity. Fortune, 169(5), 75.

Use your information research skills to locate one additional resource.

Now, make a list of skills and attributes that you believe are important for leader-managers in VUCA world. You will be able to use this work in your assessments.

Learning activity 7 -

Thinking about the work you have done in this topic - the readings, the elevator pitch, the learning activities and the case study, make a list of the top three or four values that you want to live by.

Can you think of examples of how you have lived out one or more of these values?

Can you think of times when you have felt conflicted about the right decision, perhaps because you were faced with conflicting values? How did you resolve this conflict?

Thinking back over the list of management competencies that you developed in learning activity 6, reflect on your readiness to apply these in your life and work.

Case of the week: Holding fast

This task will not be assessed. This is a practise task for assessment work coming up.

Using the knowledge that you have gained from this topic, answer the following questions:

1. What conflicting values are evident in this case?

2. What advice would you give Peter Walsh about a way forward that resolves the values conflict?

3. What management competencies do you believe this case highlights that are important for the 21st century leader-manager in VUCA world?

Attachment:- Assignment File.rar