OMGT 5773 – Sp. Problems in Leadership & Ethics- Term 1
Rev. 8/21/2011
C. Brandon Brown
Office/Cell: 479-409-5678 (8am-9pm CST; 7 days/week; PLEASE DO NOT Call
after this time – Thank you)
University email:cbb02@uark.edu
Course Description:
Fundamental historical basis of ethics and character are studied with emphasis on
the origin of the factors that many cultures derive their ethical standards.
Relationship of how these standards relate to operations management and
business. The characteristics of leadership and the ethical qualities that make a
person an effective leader in today’s business and industrial environment are
analyzed. The Maxwell’s laws of leadership and examples of how specific leaders
exhibit these laws are discussed with emphasis on individual growth as a leader in
today’s market.
One (1) Required Textbook and Four (4) Required Reference books for this course:
1. Leading with Integrity: Character-Based Leadership, Alan Kolp & Peter Rea,
2006, Atomic Dog Publishing, ISBN-1-59260-255. Online version approx.
$45; UA Bookstore or Amazon = approx. $75 new/$57 used
How to purchase the above textbook: Each course is given a Course
Registration ID. Course Registration ID: 2422292810010 is the ID for our
course. Students in the corresponding section go to
www.atomicdogpublishing.com , where they can click Students and enter the
Course Registration ID to purchase their textbook. Need more help? Call
Customer Support at 800-310-5661 or email support@atomicdog.com
2. Ethics 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know, John C. Maxwell, Center
Street Publishing, (ISBN 0-446-57809-6), approx. $10 new/$6 used
3. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John C. Maxwell,1998 and 2007,
Thomas Nelson Publishing, (ISBN-13-978-0-7852-8837-4), approx. $1525 new/$12 used
4. Lincoln on Leadership, Donald T. Phillips, Warner Books, New York, NY,
1992. (ISBN 0-446-39459-9), approx. $11
5. The Prince, Niccollo Machiavelli, (Special Student Edition), SoHo Books,
2010. (ISBN978-1441408464), approx. $6
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Course Goals/Objectives:
The course goal is to define the role of the operations manager in making
character based leadership decisions by studying the following objectives:
1. Research and understand the origins of ethical standards and how they apply
to society and business operations.
2. Learn and relate the Ethics of John C. Maxwell toward the Golden Rule and
how its origins in many global religions and cultures developed.
3. Define the seven classical virtues identified by Aristotle and others
throughout history and their applications toward character development in
today’s business and service environments.
4. Understand the relationship of competence and how it relates to adding
value to others to foster leadership.
5. Understand leadership as it relates to corporate responsibility.
6. Maxwell’s 21 irrefutable laws of leadership are discussed and their
application to leaders both historically as well as modern leaders.
7. Case Studies within Leadership and Ethics are reviewed and discussed.
8. Students will become comfortable with the variety, complexity, and
paradoxes of leadership and its concepts.
9. Students will develop an awareness of their competencies, core values, and
themselves, and will develop a personal approach– a “personal voice”– in
relation to leadership.
10.Students will understand the process of leadership, how it involves both
leaders and followers, and the connections and resonances between them.
11.Students will learn the origins of ethical standards and how they apply to
society and business operations.
12.Students will understand the varieties of leadership: charismatic, situational,
indirect and direct, informal, legitimate, and positional.
13.Students will recognize that authors of leadership books approach the
subject based on their background and experiences, requiring the content of
the books to be interpreted accordingly.
14.Students will gain an appreciation of the challenges faced by leaders and will
learn to be less judgmental in the absence of the information available to
leaders when decision must be made.
15.Students will gain a better understanding of historical leadership icons in
comparison with contemporary leaders.
16.Students will understand and begin the process of grappling with the moral,
ethical and political dimensions of leadership.
17.Students will recognize that leadership is an art, not a science – a way of
being, not a formula.
18.Students will learn that a course on leadership raises more questions than it
answers
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Course Requirements:
End of Chapter Quizzes = 12 x 10 = 120pts.
Discussions = 10 x 7pts = 70 pts; One or two per week; points determined
by quality of posts and student participation in the topic of discussion.
Mid-term Exam = 200 pts;
Final Exam = 200 pts;
Book Synopses Assignments = 2 x 100 = 200 pts
Graduate Research Term Paper Assignment = 1 x 210 = 210pts
Total = 1000 pts
Exams and Quizzes: The Mid-Term and Final Exams are Proctored exams through Proctor U.
Quizzes are not proctored.
Late Discussions, Assignments, or Quiz/Exams = 30% penalty deduction and may not be
accepted if later than 1 week past the original due date. I prefer you to upload assignments into
the drop box on the Blackboard Learning System site for the course. They can be emailed to me if
you are unable to get on Blackboard Learning System at the time you are trying to submit.
Midterm and Final Exams will be proctored by Proctor U. There are only two proctored exams
for this course - the Mid-Term and the Final (not quizzes). In Blackboard there is a Content area
titled Proctor U Information on the left menu options just above Quizzes & Tests. Please review
and understand these instructions (Site Coordinators have been instructed to send this information to
you prior to the Term starting). When the week of the Mid-Term or Final Exam period arrives, the
exam will show available in the Quizzes & Test tab on the left Blackboard menu. You have a
"window" of 1 week for the exam. The exam must be taken by Sunday at 5pm of the week it is
available during the "window". You are required to contact Proctor U and set-up the EXACT
exam time at least 72 hours prior to the Mid-Term and Final Exams. I recommend you review
the Proctor U instructions for taking online exams in Blackboard 9. You must go to the Proctor U
website and login prior to the testing period for the exam and the Proctor will give you the password
to begin. The exams are 2 hours and I would plan to allow an additional 30 minutes to 1 hr prior to
your planned start time to gain access through Proctor U and avoid any technical difficulties. Please
note these exams are graded. Each exam consists of multiple choice questions randomly selected
from a test bank as well as short answer/essay questions. Each student will receive an exam unique
to that student. The exams are closed book, closed notes, closed internet (other websites), and no
other computer software is allowed during the exam. You must take the exam alone and complete
the exam in the allotted time. Exams are due by 5pm of the due date posted.
Quizzes. In Blackboard the tab titled Quizzes & Tests contains all of the quizzes and exams for the
course. Take the weekly Quizzes found under the Quizzes & Tests tab. There are usually 2 Quizzes
per week and they are graded and count toward your course grade. The Quizzes are not proctored
events. Do not call Proctor U to schedule them. You can begin the quizzes when you feel you know
the material and are ready. Assessments are due by Sundays at 5pm.
Book Synopses Assignments: For the course, you are required to read and summarize key points
and your “take-aways” from various leadership books. A minimum of 3 pages and a maximum of 4
pages are required for these assignments. I do not need a summarization report of the book, as I
have read the authors’ works. I am looking for what you learned from the author and the subject
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leader and how you would apply the lessons learned to the course. The format required is 3/4”
margins, DOUBLE spaced, 12 pt font.
Course Graduate Research Term Paper: For the course, you are required to complete the
assignment of selecting a leader to complete a research paper on and discuss the source of that
leaders own personal ethics and the laws of leadership according to Maxwell. The leader of your
choice is due in the Discussion #3 area by the end of the third week of class. Finally, on the
Course Content page, you can upload the paper to Blackboard directly at the link where the paper is
assigned. This paper should be a summarization of the course materials as it applies to a leader of
your choice. The paper is expected to be at the highest level of graduate work. I will count off
points for incorrect grammar and spelling. Also, I do not expect a historical reiteration of the
leader's life from Wikipedia. My expectation is that you evaluate the leader's accomplishments and
failures and relate them to the course material and texts. The format is 3/4” margins, DOUBLE
spaced, 12 pt font. Due date for completed papers are by 5 pm on Oct. 2, 2011. No
late papers will be accepted at all.
Evaluation Procedures:
Grading Scale
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = below 60%
Course Calendar:
Classes 8/22/2011 through 10/13/2011
Last day to add: 8/24/11
Last day to drop: 10/03/2011
Mid-Term Exam: Week of Sept. 17-25, 2011. By 5pm
Course Leadership Research Paper due: Oct. 2, 2011. By 5pm
Final Exam: Week of Oct. 8-13, 2011. By 5pm
Refer to Blackboard for other Discussion Assignments, Book Synopses
Assignments, and other due dates.
1. Course rationale
This is special problems course for the Operations Management Program which
studies the topic of Leadership and Ethics. Students will cover subject matter that
is foundational for future success in the OM leader within the OM career field.
2. Pre-requisites
None
3. Conduct of the Course
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This Blackboard based course presents an up to date view of character-based
leadership within operations management. That is, topics that are relevant to
leading and adding value to the organization are explored and surveyed. Most
textbook chapters will be led with a video lecture or assigned readings.
Additionally, assignments, quizzes, and exams will be given to test the students
understanding of the lectures and the readings.
4. Attendance Requirements
Policy for attendance is that which complies with program requirements of at
least 50% attendance for onsite classes.
Late discussions and exams will be assessed a 30% late penalty and may not
be accepted after 1 week past the due date.
5. Class Procedures
 Individual motivation to complete the videos, readings assignments,
discussions, quizzes and exams. Best results will be achieved by pacing
yourself such that the workload is evenly distributed throughout the term.
Watching the videos is a requirement of the class. Many questions from the
assignments and tests require answers from the perspective of the video
presenters as well as the text.
 Initiative in contacting the instructor/facilitator with questions, comments
and thoughts about the class and the content and/or meaning of the
assignments.
 Participation in Discussion Questions dealing with topics emphasizing
material covered in the course is expected on a regular, if not daily basis.
NOT JUST A SINGLE POST OF YOUR OPINION. This doesn’t constitute a
discussion as intended for live classroom simulation.
 Completion of weekly online Quizzes. These are used so that you can see
how you are progressing and will count toward your course grade.
 Successful completion and passing scores on Mid-term and Final exams.
 Book synopses assignments
 Course Graduate paper assignment evaluating a leader of the student’s
choice.
 Strict adherence to the Academic Honesty Policy.
COURSE LEARNING MODULES
Week 1 Goals:
1. Answer the question Maxwell proposes as the source of the erosion of modern rules of
ethics in recent times and the effect on business and politics.
2. Understand the concepts living by virtue and of Aristotle’s question of success and the
concept of servant leadership. Answer the question of whether character can be taught or
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is inherent? Learn the foundation of character and culture formation centered on the 7
classic virtues.
3. Learn and apply the first three Laws from Maxwell to the leader you choose for the
course paper. Law #1: Law of the Lid; Law #2: Law of Influence; Law #3: Law of Process
4. View Lessons 1 - 4 in the Web Links section of the interviews with John Maxwell from
"Leadership Gold" in the Video links section of Blackboard.
Week 1 - Reading Assignments:



Ethics 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know, by John C. Maxwell - Ch. 1-4
Leading with Integrity, by Kolp & Rhea - Ch. 1 & 2
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, by John C. Maxwell - Ch. 1, 2 & 3
Complete Quiz #1 and #2 by the due dates in the Assessment Area.
Complete the Week #1 Discussion topic. My expectation for online discussions is that they
simulate a live classroom discussion with your posts on the subject and replies to at least 2
other students (different students each week) and that you post every other day for full
credit on discussions.
Week 2 Goals:
1. Understand how Maxwell relates the Golden Rule to you individually, how it is the
foundation in many cultures and religions globally, and how it can be used in daily
business.
2. Understand competence and adding value to others and the organization. Learn how
competence can be used as a competitive advantage. Understand the roots of leadership
and power, and how leadership has developed through the years in various situations and
actions. Understand the various theories on leadership according to Kolp & Rea.
3. Learn and apply the next three Laws from Maxwell to the leader you choose for the
course paper. Law #4: Laws of Navigation; Law #5: Law of Addition; and Law #6: Law of
Solid Ground.
4. View Lessons 5 - 8 in the Web Links section of the interviews with John Maxwell from
"Leadership Gold" in the Video links section of Blackboard.
Week 2 - Reading Assignments:



Ethics 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know, by John C. Maxwell - Ch. 5-7
Leading with Integrity, by Kolp & Rhea - Ch. 3 & 4
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, by John C. Maxwell - Ch. 4, 5, & 6
Complete Quiz #3 and #4 by the due dates in the Assessment Area.
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Complete the Week #2 Discussion topic. My expectation for online discussions is that they
simulate a live classroom discussion with your posts on the subject and replies to at least 2
other students (different students each week) and that you post every other day for full
credit on discussions.
Week 3 Goals:
1. Understand and learn how Maxwell relates the question of “how the Golden Rule
applies to you individually and in business.
2. Understand courage as a classic virtue and apply it to the leader you chose for your
course paper. Learn how courage has been displayed in various leadership situations.
Understand faith as a classic virtue and relationship with trust as a major factor in
leadership development according to Kolp & Rea.
3. Learn and apply the next three Laws from Maxwell to the leader you chose for your
course paper. Law #7: Law of Respect; Law #8: Law of Intuition; and Law #9: Law of
Magnetism.
4. View Lessons 9 - 12 in the Web Links section of the interviews with John Maxwell from
"Leadership Gold" in the Video links section of Blackboard.
Week 3 - Reading Assignments:



The Prince, by Machiavelli
Leading with Integrity, by Kolp & Rhea - Ch. 5 & 6
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, by John C. Maxwell - Ch. 7, 8, & 9
Complete Quiz #5 and #6 by the due dates in the Assessment Area.
Complete the Week #3 Discussion topic. My expectation for online discussions is that they
simulate a live classroom discussion with your posts on the subject and replies to at least 2
other students (different students each week) and that you post every other day for full
credit on discussions.
***Course Graduate Research Term Paper Assignment: Determine the Leader of
your choice for the course paper due near the end of the course. Choose and post
the leader's name and a brief summary paragraph of why you chose this leader in
Discussion board week #3.
Week 4 Goals:
1. Understand Maxwell’s commentary on character, integrity and decision making by
applying the Golden Rule to your life and business actions.
2. Understand justice as a classic virtue, its impact on leadership, and apply it to the leader
you chose for your course paper. Learn impact of justice on leadership situations.
Understand corporate responsibilities and challenges they face as they try to apply the
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classic virtues to the Balance Scorecard and the business bottom line according to Kolp &
Rea.
3. Learn and apply the next three Laws from Maxwell to the leader you chose for your
course paper. Law #10: Law of Connection; Law #11: Law of the Inner Circle; and Law
#12: Law of Empowerment.
4. View Lessons 12-16 in the Web Links section of the interviews with John Maxwell from
"Leadership Gold" in the Video links section of Blackboard.
Week 4 - Reading Assignments:


Leading with Integrity, by Kolp & Rhea - Ch. 7 & 8
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, by John C. Maxwell - Ch. 10, 11, & 12
Complete Quiz #7 and #8 by the due dates in the Assessment Area.
Complete the Week #4 Discussion topic. My expectation for online discussions is that they
simulate a live classroom discussion with your posts on the subject and replies with at
least 2 other students (different students each week) and that you post every other day for
full credit on discussions.
Complete the Book Synopses assignment by the due date for The Prince by Machiavelli.
Week 5 Goals:
If you have not taken the Midterm, it is due before the end of Week #5
1. Understand Maxwell’s commentary on the five factors that can “tarnish” the golden
rule.
2. Understand love as a classic virtue, its impact on leadership, its relationship to
caring for employees and customers, so you can apply it to the leader you chose for
your course paper. Learn impact of the classic virtue of hope on leadership
situations and the importance of this virtue corporate and leadership responsibility.
How do these personal attributes translate to corporate temperance
3. Learn and apply the next three Laws from Maxwell to the leader you chose for your
course paper. Law #13: Law of the picture; Law #14: Law of buy-in; and Law #15:
Law of victory.
4. View Lessons 17 - 20 in the Web Links section of the interviews with John Maxwell
from "Leadership Gold" in the Video links section of Blackboard.
Week 5 - Reading Assignments:


Lincoln on Leadership, by Phillips
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, by John C. Maxwell - Ch. 13, 14, & 15
Due to the Mid-Term – No quiz this week.
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Complete the Week #5 Discussion topic. My expectation for online discussions is that they
simulate a live classroom discussion with your posts on the subject and replies with at
least 2 other students (different students each week) and that you post every other day for
full credit on discussions.
Complete the Mid-Term Exam Week of Sept. 17-25, 2011. By 5pm.
Week 6 Goals:
1. Understand Maxwell’s commentary how to seize the golden opportunities in
leadership.
2. Understand prudence as a classic virtue, its impact on leadership, and apply it to
the leader you chose for your course paper. Learn impact of justice on leadership
situations.
3. Learn and apply the next three Laws from Maxwell to the leader you chose for your
course paper. Law #16: Law of the Big Mo; Law #17: Law of priorities; and Law
#18: Law of sacrifice.
4. View Lessons 21-24 in the Web Links section of the interviews with John Maxwell
from "Leadership Gold" in the Video links section of Blackboard.
Week 6 - Reading Assignments:


Leading with Integrity, by Kolp & Rhea - Ch. 9 &10
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, by John C. Maxwell - Ch. 16, 17, & 18
Complete Quiz #9 & 10 by the due date in the Assessment Area.
Complete the Week #6 Discussion topic. My expectation for online discussions is that they
simulate a live classroom discussion with your posts on the subject and replies to at least 2
other students (different students each week) and that you post every other day for full
credit on discussions.
Complete the Book Synopses assignment by the due date for Lincoln on Leadership, by
Phillips
Week 7 Goals:
1. Understand Maxwell’s commentary developing the “Midas touch” in leadership.
2. Understand how to apply awareness, attention, and action in leadership and how
the leader you chose and applied these in their life for your course paper.
3. Learn and apply the last three Laws from Maxwell to the leader you chose for your
course paper. Law #19: Law of the timing; Law #18: Law of explosive growth; and
Law #21: Law of legacy.
4. View Lessons 25 - 26 in the Web Links section. Interviews with John Maxwell from
"Leadership Gold".
Week 7 - Reading Assignments:

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Leading with Integrity, by Kolp & Rhea - Ch. 11, 12 & 13

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, by John C. Maxwell - Ch. 19, 20, & 21
Complete Quiz #11 & 12 by the due date in the Assessment Area.
Complete the Week #7 Discussion topic. My expectation for online discussions is that they
simulate a live classroom discussion with your posts on the subject and replies to at least 2
other students (different students each week) and that you post every other day for full
credit on discussions.
Week 8 Goals:
Complete your course paper on the leader of your choice by the due date.
Complete the Week #8 Discussion topic. My expectation for online discussions is that they
simulate a live classroom discussion with your posts on the subject and replies to at least 2
other students (different students each week) and that you post every other day for full
credit on discussions.
Complete the Final Exam by the due date – Week of Oct 8-13, 2011 By 5pm
Academic Honesty Policy:
 The University of Arkansas strives to be a center of academic excellence.
As part of our Statement of Ethics, the University strives to preserve
academic honor and integrity by repudiating all forms of academic and
intellectual dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism and all other forms of
academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable and is subject to
a disciplinary response.

Students who are caught cheating or committing plagiarism may be given a
failing grade in the course by the professor and may be subject to dismissal
or further discipline.

Plagiarism is often misunderstood as referring only to passing off another’s
writing as one’s own. The definition also extends to ideas and arguments
taken from others’ work without proper citing of the original source. It is
also not permissible to construct papers or reports by merely “cutting and
pasting” and then just citing another’s work. In writing for homework or
projects, you should read and learn process information through your mind,
relate ideas, and then express your take on the material you’ve read in your
own words. Cite the references where you found your information. If you
do use someone else’s words, do so sparingly, use quotation marks, and cite.
A complete statement of the U of A’s Academic Honesty Policy is available in the
UA Student Handbook and the UA Graduate Catalog.
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Inclement Weather Policy:
If the base or campus closes for inclement weather or other reasons, your site
coordinator will be the first to know. She will call the professors and send the
students e-mail advising of class cancellations. If your professor cancels a class
he/she will contact the site coordinator, and she will send an e-mail to the students
in that class advising of class cancellation.
How to Contact me: The normal way to contact me is through the email facility
here in Blackboard. However, you may have occasion to contact me through other
means. Here's how: Home fax number: 205-387-1740 (8am-9pm CST; 7
days/week; PLEASE DO NOT Call or Fax after this time – Thank you). University
email:cbb02@uark.edu
Caveat re: changes to syllabus
The above schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in
the event of extenuating circumstances. Check the online Syllabus for most
current revision.
Leadership Books1
Suggestions for Further Reading
1. Maxwell, John C., Leadership Gold: Lessons I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of
Leading, Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville, TN, 2008. (ISBN 13-978-0-78521411-3), 255 pages, approx.. $18
2. Heifetz, Ronald A., Leadership Without Easy Answers, Harvard University
Press,Cambridge, MA, 1994. (ISBN-13 9780674518582) 348 pages, approx.
$27
3. Kouzes, James M. and Barry Z. Posner, The Leadership Challenge, 4th
edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, NY, 2007. (ISBN 978-0-78798492-2) 388 pages,approx. $15
4. Sample, Steven B., The Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership, John Wiley &
Sons, Inc.,New York, NY, 2003. (ISBN-13 978-0-7879-6707-9) 224 pages,
approx. $15
5. Sun Tzu, The Art of War, Barnes & Noble Classics, New York, NY, 2003.
(ISBN 978-1-59308-016-7) 275 pages, approx. $5
6. Walton, Sam and John Huey, Sam Walton: Made In America, Doubleday, New
York, NY, 1992. (ISBN 0-553-56283-5) 346 pages, approx. $8
7. Blanchard, Ken, Leading at a Higher Level, Revised and Expanded Edition,
FT Press, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2010. (ISBN 0-13-701170-9) 361 pages,
approx. $17
8. Blanchard, Ken and Spencer Johnson, The One Minute Manager, William
Morrow and Company, New York, NY, 1982. (ISBN 0-688-01429-1) 111
pages, approx. $14
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9. Blanchard, Ken, Susan Fowler, and Laurence Hawkins, Self Leadership and
the One Minute Manager, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY, 2005.
(ISBN 0-06-079912 - 155 pages, approx. $14
10.Blanchard, Ken and Phil Hodges, The Servant Leader: Transforming Your
Heart, Head, Hands & Habits, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN, 2003. (ISBN
978-0-8499-9659 -125 pages, approx. $11
Blanchard, Ken and Mark Miller, The Secret: What Great Leaders Know and
Do, 2 Edition, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., San Francisco, CA, 2009.
(ISBN 978-1-60509-268-3) 129 pages, approx. $15
11.Bradford, David L. And Allan R. Cohen, Managing for Excellence: The Guide
to Developing High Performance in Contemporary Organizations, John Wiley
& Sons, New York, NY, 1997. (ISBN 978-0-471-12724-8) 313 pages,
approx. $25
12.Burns, James MacGregor, Leadership, HarperCollins Publishers, New York,
NY, 1978.
nd
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Prices shown were obtained from either Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com. You might be able
to purchase books at lower cost from the bookstore or on-line.
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