Learning Activity 1 Theme One:

Learning Activity 1 Theme One: Understanding the unique challenges facing leaders today, and the skills needed to meet them, will help you as a leader to act decisively and proactively.

Maria Artos, a 25-year-old female graduate of Harvard Business School, has just been appointed to the job of Director of IT in a medium size business. Her immediate junior in the business, Anthony Jones, is a 53-year-old long term employee of the business.  He was passed over for the job that Maria Artos now holds.

• First, identify all the leadership challenge issues that might be suggested by this fact pattern.
• As can be imagined, both Artos and Jones could feel uncomfortable since Artos was told that Anthony Jones also applied for the position and Anthony could be resentful for being passed over. Students will create the opening interview/meeting between Artos and Jones on her first day on the job.  Use this week’s course material to create the exchange between Artos and Jones.
• In creating the exchange between Jones and Artos, have Artos deal with all the identified issues using her “leadership relationship building skills”. Note: In responding, consider that the situation is one in which the skills from week five should be employed along with addressing the topic of diversity.