Objectives

If you cannot come to all classes, do not take this course. Much of the work (even preparation for presentations) is done in class.

Because this course is based on individual training in the immersive virtual reality laboratory in the LABEX, there is a maximum of 30 students that can be admitted to the course. You will have to submit a motivation letter based on which admission to the course will be decided (see details below). The relevant information about how to submit the motivation letter will be provided during the first class.

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The goal of the course is to foster the students’ understanding of the complexity of social interactions in hierarchical relationships in the workplace and of how power and leadership play out in interpersonal interactions. Also, the course will enable students to develop their own leadership skills by self-observation, peer-feedback, and individual training. Students will receive individualized feedback throughout the course.

Contents

The course focuses on how people behave in hierarchical relationships. We will discuss how a person obtains power in a group and how a person who has power interacts with others. The course consists of knowledge transmission of empirical and theoretical work on power and leadership and of leadership skills development. Active participation of students in class is mandatory and by participating in this course, the student agrees on performing in front of the class, being videotaped, and receiving individualized feedback from the group.

Knowledge transmission will focus on questions such as how hierarchies are created, how leaders emerge, and how verbal and nonverbal behavior is related to becoming a leader, obtaining power, and wielding power. We will also review the communication and leadership behavior of people who are in a powerful position and are leaders. Knowledge transmission will be achieved by 2 means: (1) Presentation of empirical evidence by the instructor and (2) student topic presentations and topic reports on a predefined topic of power and leadership.

Personal development will focus on training different aspects of leadership skills such as self-presentation, speaking in public, or providing feedback to collaborators. Leadership skills development will be achieved by 3 activities: (1) Individual public speaking training in immersive virtual reality, (2) role-play in class, and (3) peer-feedback and self-reflection on own leadership and social interaction style.

References

Reading list will be provided in the course.

Pre-requisites

Bachelor in Management or equivalent

Evaluation

First attempt

Exam:

Without exam (cf. terms)  

Evaluation:

The final grade will be the average of the 6 grades obtained for the following activities:

1. Individual grade obtained for the Group Interaction Report

2. Individual grade obtained for the Leadership Training Report

3. Group grade obtained for the Topic Presentation

4. Group grade obtained for the Topic Report

5. Individual grade obtained for short essays on topic presentations passed

6. Class participation

Retake

Exam:

Oral 0h15 minutes

Documentation:

Not allowed

Calculator:

Not allowed

Evaluation:

Oral exam of 15 minutes on the course content. Students will be asked different questions concerning the course content. The course material cannot be consulted during the exam and the questions will not be communicated before the exam starts.