ILM Level 3: Understanding Leadership and Management Module 1 Assignment Example
Assessment Preparation
Make a start on your assignment whilst the session is fresh. Do not leave it all until the end of the programme.
1.1 Describe the factors that will influence the choice of leadership styles or behaviours in workplace situations (24 marks)
You are required to describe 2 factors that influence what leadership style you take. This is not talking about the style itself; it is about the factors and how you might take a certain style.
An example could be a new starter, where you need to take a more directive approach as they don’t have as much experience. Delegating might not be appropriate, but with an experienced person you can delegate to them and they have the knowledge and skills to be successful with this approach.
Other factors could include, time/urgency, complexity of task, importance of task, experience of staff in that specific task etc. How would these make an impact on the approach or style you take as a leader.
1.2 Explain why these leadership styles or behaviours are likely to have a positive or negative effect on individual and group behaviour (24 marks)
Using the Styles you discussed in 1.1, explain how they will have a positive or negative impact on an individual and group.
It is plural, so you must use at least 2 styles.
You MUST cover groups AND individuals, but you need only to mention positives OR negatives. A common error is not mentioning the impact the styles have on groups.
An example could be discussing how a directive approach on an experienced individual might make them feel demotivated, not engaged as they are not being empowered to think for themselves and therefore not as productive. Where as a coaching approach would make them feel included, part of a collaboration and empowered to make their own decisions.
For groups this might be about how behavioural leadership and seeing you learn and development by being a role model will build trust as they feel involved, supported and trusted to try new things without fear of getting things wrong. They will also see that you can be a leader in any role and they can lead from the middle.
2.1 Assess own leadership behaviours and potential in the context of a particular leadership model and own organisation’s working practice and culture using feedback from others (State your findings below) (28 marks)
This one requires some unpicking and preparation. **Do not leave this until the last minute as you are required to get feedback from other people**.
You are required to assess yourself against one of the leadership models. The situational leadership model is a good option.
You are required to get at least 2 sources of feedback. 1 can be your line manager, 1 can be a peer or a direct report. You are assessing yourself against where you are effective and where you need to improve.
You could create a survey, use an end of year or mid year review, 360 feedback if you have done one or you could interview someone (you must submit this as evidence in the appendix).
You must also make sure you link to culture and practice. This could be about the RISE values, the culture of your team/department. You need to get feedback on how you fit in the culture, how you exhibit the RISE values and the behaviours you show around coaching, delegating, directing and supporting your team from the situational leadership model etc.
For example a highly regulated or critical environment might mean you need to be a little more directive. A start up environment or new contract may require some more direction as standards need to be up to speed quickly. If you have a culture of Respect, do you show this in your interactions and maintain assertiveness without being aggressive, respect your team and empower them etc.
You must show both areas for development and areas of strength. You need this for the next part of the assignment.
A portion of your word count will be used here.
2.2 Describe appropriate actions to enhance own leadership behaviour in the context or the particular leadership model (24 marks)
You are required to take forward the feedback from the previous question and show HOW you will develop. This is not just adding in a PDP. You need to describe the actions you will take.
- What will you do
- How will you do it
- (Timescales)
- How will you know you have been successful? (Success measures)
Link back to a leadership model. Do you need to develop your coaching skills? How will you do this, when and how will you know any improvement? Do you need to be more direct at times? How, when and what does success look like?
If you use a PDP, add this to your appendix and make sure you describe in your assignment.
My Personal Post-Work Reflection: Understanding Leadership
- What did you feel at the beginning of the session as compared to how you feel now?
- What was the biggest takeaway or learning from this session?
- What were some of the significant moments for me throughout the session? What has been impactful for me?
- What actions will I take based on the learning? What will I try and test?
