With reference to well-chosen examples and the use of theory, you are required to write an account entitled: ‘The leadership behaviours and skills required to deliver strategic goals.’ The written account must critically

ASSESSMENT TASKS AND WORD COUNT

Assessment brief CMI 701 features the following assessment tasks. Further detail is provided against each assessment task within the brief.

Assessment Task

Learning outcomes covered by assessment method

Assessment criteria

Guideline word count

1

A written report entitled:

‘The role and context for strategic leadership.’

LO1 Understand the role and context for strategic leadership

1.1 Critically appraise the impact of organisational context on strategic leadership

Approx. 1000 words

1.2 Critically appraise the role of the strategic leader to set and realise organisational goals

2a

A written account entitled:

‘The leadership behaviours and skills required to deliver strategic goals.’

LO2 Understand the behaviours and skills for strategic leadership

2.1 Critically appraise the leadership behaviours and skills required to deliver strategic goals

Approx. 2000 words

2b

A reflective account entitled:

‘How the principles of strategic leadership can be applied to respond to complex organisational challenges.’

2.2 Critically reflect on how the principles of strategic leadership can be applied to respond to complex organisational challenges

Approx. 1500 words

Guideline word count

The written word, however generated and recorded, is still expected to form the majority of assessable work produced by Learners at Level 7. The amount and volume of work for this unit should be broadly comparable to a word count of 4000 – 4500 words within a margin of +/-10%.  The excessive use of word count is not grounds for referral, however the CMI reserve the right to return work to the Centre for editing and resubmission by the Learner. 

The following are excluded from inclusion in word count, if used and not required by the assessment brief an introduction to a job role, organisation or department, index or contents pages, headings and sub headings, diagrams, charts and graphs, reference list or bibliography, reflective statement drawn from undertaking the assessment and how this has impacted on the learner’s work.

Please see the CMI Assessment Guidance Policy for further guidance.

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THE ROLE AND CONTEXT FOR STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

It is the role of the leader to work effectively within the organisational structure to deliver strategic outcomes. Roles are complex and no two roles are the same. One constant is the need for leaders to have a detailed understanding of business activities and the functions they perform.

The aim of Task 1 is for leaders to evidence an understanding of the role and context for strategic leadership.

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TASK 1

You are required to write a report entitled:

‘The role and context for strategic leadership’

The report must include well chosen examples, and make reference to an organisation you know well or have researched. To complete the report, you are required to critically appraise:

the impact of organisational context on strategic leadership (AC1.1)the role of the strategic leader to set and realise organisational goals (AC1.2)

Guidance for completion of Task 1

The report must be based on an organisation you know well or have researched.The report must include well-chosen examples which illustrate the influence of organisational context on leadership practice.The report should include subheadings.Your report must be underpinned with relevant theoretical concepts.Please refer to the indicative content for the assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

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THE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS FOR STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

Strategic leaders must be able to utilise behaviours and skills to achieve objectives in a well-considered way. The aim of this task is for leaders to evidence their understanding of the leadership behaviours and skills required to deliver strategic goals.  Leaders will also be given the opportunity to reflect on how the principles of strategic leadership can be applied to respond to complex organisational challenges.

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TASK 2A

With reference to well-chosen examples and the use of theory, you are required to write an account entitled:

‘The leadership behaviours and skills required to deliver strategic goals.’

The written account must critically appraise the leadership behaviours and skills required to deliver strategic goals (AC2.1).

Guidance for completion of Task 2a

The written account must include reference to theoretical concepts and well-chosen examples.The completed assessment must include subheadings. You are not required to include every behaviour and skill. You should focus on those you feel are essential to the role.In preparation to complete the written account, take time to reflect on the skills and behaviours that are the hallmark of an effective leader. Consider your own leadership experience or the experience of being led by others. Undertake independent research on the skills and behaviours required for leaders operating at this level within different occupational areas or types of organisation.Refer to the indicative content for each assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

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TASK 2B

You are required to write a reflective account entitled:

‘How the principles of strategic leadership can be applied to respond to complex organisational challenges.’

The reflective account must:

Outline TWO (2) different complex organisational challenges (selected from the table below or from your own experience).Critically reflect on the how the principles of strategic leadership can be applied to respond to each complex organisational challenge. (AC2.2)

Examples of complex organisational challenges related to the internal and external environment:

Organisational changeThreat of new competitorDiminishing resourcesChanges in customer requirements (changing customer demands and trends)Technological changeGlobal marketsPerformance targetsShifting populationLoss or gain of a major clientLegal and regulatory changePolitical changeLitigationToxic cultures (e.g. bullying, sexism, me first attitudes, hostility, infighting)Impact of social change (e.g. #MeToo movement/campaign, mental health and wellbeing campaigns, LGBTQ+)

Guidance for completion of Task 2b

The reflective account must include reference to theoretical concepts and well-chosen examples.The completed assessment must include subheadings.Give consideration to the complex organisational challenges selected to ensure these will facilitate the use of different leadership approaches.The challenges may be based on hypothetical or actual challenges within an organisation you know well or have researched.Consider how to present the reflective account – this may be presented as an extract from a reflective journal or written as a narrative or report.Refer to the indicative content for each of the assessment criteria (AC) outlined in the unit specification.

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ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE

Refer

Pass

The submission is incompleteTasks are incompleteNot all assessment criteria have been metNo examples are used or the examples given do not match the requirements of the assessment criteriaEvidence isUnclearTechnically incorrect or inaccurateBiasedUnprofessional languagePoorly structured and presentedIdeas are under-developedLacks sufficient detail to show understanding of the topicThe application of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought is unclear or inappropriateLittle or no evaluation of evidence has taken placeThe ability to make judgments and solve complex problems has not been evidencedEvidence is not directly attributable to the learnerExternal sources of information are not acknowledgedWork based evidence or artefacts (e.g. planning documents or presentation slides) do not meet the requirements of the assessment criteria and are not current (within 5 years)All tasks have been completedAll assessment criteria have been metExamples given are well chosen and match the requirements of the assessment criteriaEvidence isWell written and presentedContains a breadth of examplesAccurateCurrent (e.g. use of up to date legislation)AuthenticInclusiveCoherentCredibleTechnically correctEvidence shows understanding and application of different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the reasoning behind them.Evidence shows the learners ability to evaluate evidence and solve problems to achieve set outcomes.Evidence used from external sources has been correctly referencedEvidence is directly attributable to the learnerWork based evidence or artefacts (e.g. planning documents or presentation slides) match the requirements of the assessment criteria and are current (within 5 years)