Dynamic Planes: A Classroom Competition as an Introduction to Leadership

Abstract

This article provides an in-person class exercise for demonstrating key behavioral approaches to leadership (e.g., participative leadership and directive leadership) as well as transformational leadership. The exercise is an easy-to-administer and creative class competition, which many students enjoy and remember, and is suitable for all undergraduate class levels. Students learn to diagnose specific behaviors as illustrating leadership styles and can witness firsthand the resulting advantages and disadvantages of those leadership behaviors for teamwork. The exercise can also be used with other management concepts, such as problem solving. This article provides instructions and handouts for the exercise, a debrief guide for eliciting conceptual learning in leadership classes, and guidance for problem-solving classes.