MG4D5 Half Unit
Leadership in Organisations: Theory and Practice
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Connson Locke
Availability
This course is available on the Global MSc in Management, Global MSc in Management (MBA Exchange), MBA Exchange, MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Human Resource Management/CIPD), MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (International Employment Relations/CIPD), MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Organisational Behaviour), MSc in Management (1 Year Programme), MSc in Marketing and MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply:
Places on oversubscribed courses will be allocated via a random ballot process with priority given to students with the course in their Programme Regulations, followed by other Department of Management students, then students from elsewhere in the school. Providing you apply before the Department deadline of 10am on Monday 29 September 2025, the time you applied will not be taken into account. Please be aware that places on high demand courses cannot be guaranteed. By submitting an application, students are confirming that they meet any pre-requisites specified. Providing an additional written statement will not aid a student’s chances of being accepted onto a course, and statements are not read.
For further information and updates on course availability during Week 1, please see the Department of Management Electives Moodle page.
Deadline for application:
Please apply by 10am on Monday 29 September 2025 with your first course choices. No allocations are made before this date and time.
For queries contact:
Please view the Department of Management Electives page for contact emails.
This course may be capped/subject to controlled access. For further information about the course's availability, please see the MG Elective Course Selection Moodle page (https://moodle.lse.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3840).
Priority will be given to Department of Management students. Students who are unable to get a spot on this course are welcome to audit lectures though priority for space will go to registered students.
Course content
This course focuses on leadership in organisations. It places the leader in the context of a stable group, and studies the leader’s ability to influence other group members. The course draws heavily from research in psychology, sociology, and organisational behaviour. This research is extensive and often confusing, with contradictory findings and conflicting models, and new models of leadership emerging every year. This course will introduce students to the main models of leadership and encourage students to critically evaluate their contributions and limitations.
This course attempts to strike a balance between leadership theory and practice. On the one hand, the study of any topic must be grounded in theory and foundational concepts; on the other hand, leadership is ultimately a practical skill. Therefore, the assessment on this course requires students to consider practical leadership situations and apply the theories and concepts to those situations.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Explain some of the main theories and models of leadership
- Critically evaluate the contributions and limitations of these theories and models
- Use these theories and models to address contemporary issues in leadership and practical problems in organisations
Teaching
25 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
Each 2.5 hour session will include a combination of lecture and seminar work. Students are expected to prepare for and contribute to each session. Seminar work will include case analyses and small group discussions.
In its Ethics Code, LSE upholds a commitment to intellectual freedom. This means we will protect the freedom of expression of our students and staff and the right to engage in healthy debate in the classroom.
Formative assessment
Students will have the opportunity to write a formative case analysis essay during WT and receive feedback. Students will also complete in-class case discussions to prepare them for the case analysis essay.
Indicative reading
A full reading list will be provided at the beginning of the term. There is no required text. Indicative readings include:
- Antonakis, J., Cianciolo, A.T., & Sternberg, R.J. (2004) Leadership: Past, Present and Future (Chapter 1). In Antonakis, J., Cianciolo, A.T. & Sternberg, R.J. (Eds.) The Nature of Leadership, pp. 3-15. London: Sage Publications. George, J. M. (2000).
- Judge, T., Bono, J., Ilies, R., & Gerhardt, M. (2002). Personality and leadership: A qualitative and quantitative review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4), 765-780.
Assessment
Case analysis / study (100%)
For detailed assessment information, including all deadlines and timings, please see the relevant course Moodle page. Assessment timings will be available at the start of each term.
Key facts
Department: Management
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 119
Average class size 2024/25: 60
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication