Pre-Seminar

This module explores different paradigms in leadership theory, how they’ve shifted over time, and their strengths and weaknesses. As you learn about leadership theory, think about which theories resonate with you and why. 

Your leadership philosophy assignment, submitted at the end of the pre-seminar, will ask you to reflect on your understanding of leadership, and how it is shaped by your personal experiences and identities. You will also take ideas from the leadership theories and models we will discuss. As you prepare for this session, consider these questions:

• What makes a good (or a bad) leader?

• What do I believe about leadership?

• What kind of leader do I want to be?

• How is my thinking about being a leader shaped by my experiences?

This module explores the Individual Level of the Social Change Model. You will engage in two self-reflection activities to help you think about what is important to you and how that is shaped by your personal experiences and identities. Who you are is, to a degree, how you lead. As you continue in the process of this leadership seminar and design your initiative, you will need to continue reflecting on yourself. As you prepare for this session, consider these questions:

• How have your life experiences and identities shaped you?

• How do your values and identities influence what matters to you, the decisions you make, and your actions?

• How are your values and identities connected to your leadership initiative?

This module explores the Group Level of the Social Change Model. Leadership occurs in a group and requires working with others to achieve a common purpose. You will explore the intersection of leadership and collaboration and the importance of understanding others in pursuit of a social good. In our last session, you completed activities to learn about yourself, considering how your core values and social identities influence the way you see the world and interact with others. Now we turn to aspects of working with others whose values and identities might be different from yours and the need to find common ground to work together productively. As you prepare for this session, consider these questions:

• What are your good and bad experiences with collaboration?

• How will you rely on collaboration in your leadership initiative?

• What do you believe about being a good collaborator?

You will complete three formative assignments by the end of the pre-seminar.

Leader Conversation - Write a summary of a 30–45-minute conversation with someone in your community who you consider to be a leader.  Be prepared to give an oral presentation on your conversation at the workshop at Al Akhawayn University.

Leadership Philosophy Statement - This is a personal narrative that is particular to your thinking, experience, and aspirations with respect to leadership with two broad objectives: 

• Articulate Your Leadership Beliefs: It clearly communicates your leadership values, beliefs, and goals to others; in short, how you will be as a leader.

• Provide a Framework for Self-Assessment: It helps you define the criteria you will use to measure your leadership effectiveness and continued professional and personal growth.

You will submit a first draft of your Leadership Philosophy Statement prior to arriving for the workshop and will continue to refine your Statement through to the end of the Seminar.

Leadership Initiative Planning - As part of your application, you described a leadership initiative you will undertake on your campus or home community during the 2025-26 academic year. Prior to arriving for the workshop at Al Akhawayn University, you will fill out a Leadership Initiative Planning template we will provide. You will continue to work on this through the AUI workshop to produce a reasonably detailed plan by the time the 2025-26 academic year starts. This will be the basis for implementing your Leadership Initiative.