This course is focused on the strengths and characteristics of effective leaders. Topics may include self-leadership, the difference between leadership and management, the importance of communication, trust, team building, systems leadership, change leadership and conflict resolution. Students may illustrate the value of diversity, systems leadership, change leadership and conflict resolution within teams and organizations, as well as assess personal leadership styles and the leadership of others.

Leadership is the process of motivating people to achieve project goals, usually in a dotted-line organizational setting. The success or failure of the project, and by extension the manager, is dependent upon the manager's ability to assess the team as a whole, (strengths and weaknesses), and to then apply that analysis to the individual team members. Within the course, students will have the opportunity to survey and discuss multiple methodologies used to evaluate teams. Students may analyze how organizational dynamics and structure impact the manager, limit or increase their power, and their ability to perform their job.

This course provides students with an understanding of the principles of assessing change, managing change and the communication tools necessary to implement change effectively. Issues regarding client satisfaction, vendor satisfaction, morale and relationships will be explored. The effective manager must possess skills in adaptability to ensure that projects are responsive to changing conditions. This course develops a thorough understanding of strategic change within organizations.

The course focuses on the conflicts which arise when an individual's ethics are counter to the organization's practices. An historical review of various leader's actions taken and consequences faced when confronted with an ethical dilemma is conducted. Each student assesses their ethical framework in context to an effective leadership model.