MLI500: Critical Analysis of the Relationship Between Leadership and Trust Assessment 2

Assessment 2

Learning Outcomes

• LO2: Analyse a range of leadership approaches and their impact on innovation
• LO3: Analyse the leadership practices that empower and engage followers
• LO4: Evaluate the leadership practices that foster trust and psychological safety in teams.

Assessment Tasks

This assignment requires you to select an organisation and provide an in-depth, analytical response to the following research question: 

Does leadership in this organisation positively or negative affect creativity and innovation at the individual, team, or organisational level?

You have to provide examples of either the following and build arguments to support your critical analysis.

• Leadership which fosters creativity and innovation in the selected organization

Or

• Leadership hinders creativity and innovation in the selected organisation

To successfully complete this assignment, you will need to critically analyse specific examples of leadership practices in companies that may help or hinder development of creativity and innovation in the organisation (or more) of the three levels: individual employees, team, or organisation. There are different interventions needed to foster innovation in these levels.

You need to use a theory/concepts to shed light on the corporate examples of leadership practice. To complete this assignment to a high standard you need to research the peer-reviewed literature extensively, using journal articles to support your arguments.

Please ensure you consult this assessment’s marking rubric prior the submission of this assessment item.

Assessment Summary

Students are required to select an organisation and critically analyse whether its leadership practices positively or negatively affect creativity and innovation at the individual, team, or organisational level. The assignment involves:

• Identifying leadership practices that foster or hinder innovation.
• Providing specific examples from the organisation.
• Applying leadership theories and concepts to explain the impact on innovation.
• Using peer-reviewed literature to support arguments.

Key Pointers to Cover:

1. Overview of the selected organisation and context.
2. Identification of leadership styles and practices observed.
3. Analysis of impact at three levels: individual, team, organisation.
4. Examples of positive or negative leadership influence on creativity and innovation.
5. Application of leadership theories/concepts to interpret findings.
6. Critical evaluation supported by scholarly sources.
7. Conclusion summarising overall leadership effectiveness in fostering innovation.

Step-by-Step Academic Mentor Approach

Step 1: Clarifying the Assessment Requirements

The mentor began by reviewing the learning outcomes and marking rubric with the student to ensure clarity on expectations. They emphasised the need for critical analysis rather than descriptive reporting and the importance of linking theory to practice.

Step 2: Selection of Organisation and Leadership Focus

The student was guided to choose a real organisation with clear examples of leadership practices. The mentor helped identify leaders and teams within the company that demonstrated either innovative or inhibiting leadership approaches.

Step 3: Structuring the Assignment

The mentor advised a three-level approach:

• Individual Level: Examine how leadership influences employees’ creative behaviours.
• Team Level: Analyse team dynamics and how leadership fosters psychological safety and engagement.
• Organisational Level: Evaluate policies, culture, and strategic leadership interventions promoting innovation.

A structured outline was prepared to ensure each section logically flowed and directly addressed the research question.

Step 4: Literature Research and Theory Integration

The mentor guided the student in researching peer-reviewed journals and leadership theories such as Transformational Leadership, Servant Leadership, and Psychological Safety frameworks. The mentor helped map theory to organisational examples, showing how certain practices encourage or inhibit innovation.

Step 5: Critical Analysis and Argumentation

The mentor instructed the student on how to critically assess evidence rather than just describe it. Each example was examined for its effect on innovation, supported by theoretical justification and literature references.

Step 6: Drafting and Feedback

The student created a draft integrating the examples, theory, and analysis. The mentor provided iterative feedback, focusing on clarity, coherence, and depth of analysis.

Step 7: Finalisation and Referencing

The mentor ensured the student adhered to academic standards, proper referencing, and alignment with the marking rubric before submission.

Outcome and Learning Objectives Achieved

• Outcome: The student produced a well-structured, analytical assignment demonstrating understanding of leadership practices and their effect on innovation. Examples were supported by theory and literature, with clear critical evaluation at all three levels.
• LO2: Demonstrated through identification and analysis of various leadership approaches and their direct impact on creativity and innovation.
• LO3: Demonstrated by evaluating leadership practices that empower and engage followers.
• LO4: Achieved through the assessment of leadership approaches fostering trust and psychological safety in teams, showing the link to innovative outcomes.

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