Module 14: Leadership

Description: This module explores leadership theory and practice, including trait, behavioral, and situational approaches to leadership. Students will examine different leadership styles, the relationship between leadership and management, and emerging topics like transformational leadership, authentic leadership, and inclusive leadership. The module emphasizes evidence-based approaches to leadership development.

Why this Module is Important: Leadership significantly impacts individual and organizational outcomes, making it one of the most studied topics in I/O psychology and an essential skill for counseling professionals. Many psychology students don’t realize they’ll need leadership skills, but alumni consistently report using these principles in clinical supervision, team leadership, group therapy facilitation, and private practice management.

Future counselors often find themselves in leadership roles – leading treatment teams, supervising interns, facilitating therapy groups, or managing their own practices. Understanding leadership theory helps you become more effective in these roles and better serve your clients. Additionally, many clients struggle with workplace leadership issues or need to develop their own leadership skills, making this knowledge directly applicable to therapeutic practice.

Whether you aspire to formal leadership roles or simply want to influence positive change in your workplace or with your clients, understanding evidence-based leadership principles will enhance your professional effectiveness. This knowledge also helps you recognize and navigate different leadership styles in your own work environments, making you more successful in organizational settings.

Module Learning Objectives: By the end of this module students will be able to…

• MLO1: Compare leadership theories, styles, and organizational leadership concepts including transformational and transactional approaches. (ULO4, CLO1, APA1)
• MLO2: Evaluate the effectiveness of different leadership approaches, analyze the glass ceiling concept, and define characteristics of effective leadership based on research evidence. (ULO4, CLO1, CLO2, APA1, APA2)
• MLO3: Apply leadership principles to workplace challenges like absenteeism and communicate leadership strategies through professional discussion and analysis. (ULO4, CLO3, CLO4, APA4, APA5)