Discussion:

Leader Member Exchange theory and the political perspective both rely on relationships in the workplace. In your opinion:

• What are some of the similarities between the Leader Member Exchange theory and the political perspective?
• How is an understanding of both useful to you as a current, or future, educational leader?

SLP:
 

Write a 2- to 3-page paper (excluding title page and reference list) that includes the following components:

1. Introduction
2. Discuss the assumptions of the political perspective.
3. Reflect on the four skills of the manager as politician.
   • Provide a brief summary of the four skills.
   • Select one of the four skills that you believe to be most important as a leader; explain why you selected this skill.
4. Apply the selected political skill to leading a major change in an educational setting.
   • Provide a brief outline of the proposed change.
   • Discuss how the selected political skill will assist you in leading the proposed change.
     1. How might it help you avoid conflict?
     2. How might it help you build coalitions?
5. Conclusion

Case:

Use the readings to write a 3- to 4-page paper (excluding title page and reference list) that includes the following components:

1. Introduction
2. Describe the major components of Leader Member Exchange theory.
3. Discuss the criticism, or weaknesses, of Leader Member Exchange theory.
   • Use the Power (2013) reading to discuss the potential weaknesses of Leader Member Exchange theory.
4. Reflect on the application of Leader Member Exchange to your current, or future, educational setting.
   • Is this theory useful as a leader/manager?
   • Is this theory useful to organizational success or student success?
   • Use the Clemens, Milsom, and Cashwell (2009) and the Turnage and Goodboy (2016) readings to focus on the interaction of working relationships and communication with Leader Member Exchange theory.
5. Conclusion