Key Steps to Complete the Course

1. Complete the CliftonStrengths Assessment

• Time: ~30 minutes.

• Tips:

• Access the link in the course materials.

• Save the results as a PDF; this will be critical for Task 1.

• Use the results to identify your top strengths and relate them to your leadership style.

2. Write Task 1: Personal Leadership Evaluation

• Overview: Reflect on your leadership style using your CliftonStrengths results.

• Rubric Sections:

• Reflect on your top 5 strengths.

• Identify 3 personal leadership weaknesses (can be based on your judgment or general research).

• Choose a leadership theory (e.g., transformational, situational) and connect it to your strengths/weaknesses.

• Create 3 SMART goals for personal leadership improvement.

• Cite at least 3 scholarly sources for support.

• Resources:

• WGU Library for scholarly articles.

• Recorded cohort videos explaining the task.

• Google "leadership strengths and weaknesses" for examples.

• Tips:

• Use the rubric as your template.

• Focus on clarity rather than length; evaluators prioritize completeness over word count.

• Tools like Grammarly or MS Word Editor can ensure proper grammar and flow.

3. Write Task 2: Organizational Leadership Evaluation

• Overview: Evaluate a leader's style in a real or fictional organization.

• Rubric Sections:

• Describe the organization and anonymize names.

• Analyze the leader's strengths, weaknesses, and leadership practices.

• Choose a different leadership theory from Task 1 to evaluate their approach.

• Perform a SWOT analysis of the leader and organization.

• Cite 3–5 scholarly sources to support your analysis.

• Resources:

• WGU Library and Google Scholar for articles.

• Leadership theories like servant, transactional, or participative (covered in course resources or via Google).

• Recorded cohort videos for guidance.

• Tips:

• Write creatively if examples are lacking. Fabricating non-sensitive details is acceptable for this task.

• Stick closely to the rubric to avoid revisions.

• Use previous workplace experiences or hypothetical scenarios.

General Tips for Success

1. Follow the Rubric: Address every point directly. Use section headers matching the rubric for clarity.

2. Use Available Resources:

• Cohort videos and summaries provided by your mentor.

• Tools like Grammarly and citation generators for APA formatting.

• Optional: Studocu for sample papers to understand evaluator expectations.

3. Submit Early and Use Revisions: Don’t fear revisions—they guide you toward a passing submission.

4. Time Management:

• Break each task into smaller steps (e.g., one section at a time).

• Consider writing both papers over a weekend if your schedule allows.

5. Contact Support: Reach out to your mentor or course instructors for clarifications.

Estimated Time Breakdown

• CliftonStrengths Assessment: 30 minutes.

• Task 1 Writing: 4–6 hours (based on average user experiences).

• Task 2 Writing: 5–8 hours.

• Revisions (if needed): ~1–2 additional days.

Resources Mentioned

• WGU Library: Essential for finding scholarly sources.

• Google Scholar: Alternative resource for leadership theories.

• Grammarly: For proofreading and grammar checks.

• Studocu: Helpful for reviewing examples of past submissions.

• Recorded Cohort Videos: Step-by-step guides for completing tasks.

• Leadership Theories to Explore:

• Transformational, Servant, Situational, Participative, Trait, Behavioral.

Final Notes

• Course difficulty is generally considered easy but requires focused writing.

• Success hinges on adhering to the rubric and utilizing available resources.

• Course content and requirements are subject to change—always consult current materials.

Compiled and condensed insights from 18 pages of community tips into this study guide.