TCO: Communication and Leadership

General information

Type:	OP	Curs:	3	Period:	S semester
ECTS Credits:	4 ECTS

Teaching Staff:

Group	Teacher	Department	Language
Ed: 1	Joan Noguera Ustrell	Dirección de Personas y Organización	ENG

Group	Teacher	Department	Language
Ed: 2	Joan Noguera Ustrell	Dirección de Personas y Organización	ENG

Previous Knowledge

It is advisable that the student be familiar with the basics of Organizational Behaviour.

Workload distribution

The course workload comprises:

- 30 hours of in-class activities
- 50 hours of out-class activities: readings, preparation of the group presentation, writing the midterm paper and the final paper.

Course Learning Objectives

This course is intended to:

- Explore the relationships between communication and leadership.

- Allow the student to examine his/her communication style and improve those aspects of this in need of further development.

- Train the student to design and put into practice different communication strategies according to their audience, intended effects and specific context.

- Help the student explore their leadership potential and craft a development plan related to the actualization of such a potential.

Competences

12. Autonomy, independence, initiative, pro-activeness
13. Adaptability, flexibility
18. Teamwork and collaboration
11. Quality orientation and achievement

12. Autonomy, independence, initiative, pro-activeness

13. Adaptability, flexibility

18. Teamwork and collaboration

11. Quality orientation and achievement

Relation between Activities and Competences

	12	13	18	11
Group dynamics: simulations of executive committees, panel of experts, group discussions, role-plays.
Group presentation on assigned topic.
Midterm paper: analysis of the student's communication style
Final paper: crafting a personal leadership development plan

CONTENT

1. Different levels and communicative dynamics inside the organization.
2. The interpersonal level: the dynamics of interpersonal communication. - Communication style: dimensions and characteristics. Verbal and nonverbal components. The impact of one's communication style on others. - Listening. Types of listening. Active listening. - Communicating assertively. Types and components of assertiveness. Developing an appropriately assertive communication. - Communication dynamics and its contribution to creating a climate of trust and cooperation. Defensive versus supportive communication climates. How to strengthen the supportive characteristics in one's communication. - Emotions and communication. Dealing with emotionally difficult situations.
3. The group level: group dynamics and communication. Communication processes in different group contexts: work groups, teams, committees, task forces, meetings...
4. Communication and leadership: the manager qua leader and communication proficiency

1. Different levels and communicative dynamics inside the organization.

2. The interpersonal level: the dynamics of interpersonal communication.

- Communication style: dimensions and characteristics. Verbal and nonverbal components. The impact of one's communication style on others.
- Listening. Types of listening. Active listening.
- Communicating assertively. Types and components of assertiveness. Developing an appropriately assertive communication.
- Communication dynamics and its contribution to creating a climate of trust and cooperation. Defensive versus supportive communication climates. How to strengthen the supportive characteristics in one's communication.
- Emotions and communication. Dealing with emotionally difficult situations.

3. The group level: group dynamics and communication.

Communication processes in different group contexts: work groups, teams, committees, task forces, meetings...

4. Communication and leadership: the manager qua leader and communication proficiency

Relation between Activities and Contents

	1	2	3	4
Group dynamics: simulations of executive committees, panel of experts, group discussions, role-plays.
Group presentation on assigned topic.
Midterm paper: analysis of the student's communication style
Final paper: crafting a personal leadership development plan

Methodology

The course will be based on the students' active participation and will make an extensive use of the following methodologies:

- Group dynamics: simulations of executive committees, panel of experts, group discussions.
- Role-plays
- Group presentations

Although English will be the main language in the course, occasionally Spanish will also be used.

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN

Description	%
Group dynamics: simulations of executive committees, panel of experts, group discussions, role-plays.	20
Group presentation on assigned topic.	20
Midterm paper: analysis of the student's communication style	30
Final paper: crafting a personal leadership development plan	30

Assessment criteria

There will be four components to be assessed:

- Midterm paper: analysis of the student's communication style, its strengths and aspects in need of betterment, and steps to be taken in order to improve the latter (30%)

- Final paper: crafting a personal leadership development plan (30%)

- Group presentation on the topic assigned (20%)

- Attendance and participation in class activities (20%)

Bibliography

Miller, K. 'Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes'. Wadsworth International Ed.
Hargie, O. and Tourish, D. 'Auditing Organizational Communication'. Routledge.
Hargie, O., Saunders, C., Dickson, D. 'Social Skills in Interpersonal Communication'. Routledge.
Smith, L., Mounter, P. 'Effective Internal Communication'. Kogan Page.
Guirdham, M. 'Interpersonal Skills at Work'. Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire: Prentice Hall Europe.

Timetable and sections

Group	Teacher	Department
Ed: 1	Joan Noguera Ustrell	Dirección de Personas y Organización

Timetable Ed: 1

Group	Teacher	Department
Ed: 2	Joan Noguera Ustrell	Dirección de Personas y Organización

TCO: Communication and Leadership (19BBA10005)