Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Class Activities
Chapter 1: Introduction
Activities
These activities may be used in either small-group or large-group settings, depending on class size and
time available. Some may be suitable for homework. As homework, they can be used as preparation for
The Purpose of Theory
Set the stage for the course by explaining the value of theory for your discipline (management,
communication, sociology, etc.). You may wish to discuss ways of knowing, different research
methods, and the goals of theory—to define, explain, understand, predict or change a
phenomenon. Share some examples of how you theorize about your daily life. Ask students to
reflect on how they might be theorizing about their lives without knowing it. For example, a student
Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation
Have students interview a few of their same-age friends and a few people who are a generation
older about how they perceive leadership. Are there differences between age groups? What do 20-
year-olds value in leaders? What do 60-year-olds value in leaders? What factors might explain these
differences?
Social Power
Divide students into small groups and provide each group with one or more copies of a news
magazine. Have the groups identify examples of the six bases of social power from news stories
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Group Observation #1: Emergent Versus Positional Leadership
Ask students to attend an on- or off-campus meeting of an established group they belong to, such
as a sorority, sports team, or office staff. Have them observe the communication behaviors of the
positional leaders (president, team captain, office manager). How do the other group members
respond to these persons’ leadership? Are there other members of the group who seem to be
Group Observation #2: Influence in a Public Forum
Ask students to attend an on- or off-campus forum where a community issue is being discussed, such as
a student government meeting, town hall meeting, or public debate on a controversial issue. This can be
done as an individual or paired assignment. How do the various speakers attempt to influence others?
Pay attention to the following: How do the rules (such as a time limit for speaking) affect how one can
Leadership Definition
Northouse describes four components of leadership. Throughout the term have students track how well
the different leadership approaches they are studying fit with these components. (See template below.)
Leadership is
a process
Leadership
involves
influence
Leadership
occurs in a
group context
Leadership
involves goal
attainment
TRAITS
SKILLS
BEHAVIORAL
SITUATIONAL
PATH-GOAL
LEADER-MEMBER
EXCHANGE
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
TRANSFORMATIONAL
AUTHENTIC
SERVANT
ADAPTIVE
GENDER
TEAM
ETHICS
INCLUSIVE
Icebreaker Options
• Have students introduce themselves to the class by sharing their name, a leadership trait or skill
they think they have, and a trait or skill they admire in others.
• At the beginning of the first class, ask each student to complete the statement: “The best
• In small groups ask students to share with their peers: “If you could wave a magic wand and fix
any problem in the world, what would it be?” After all have shared, ask them to talk about the
Planting the Seed
Show the class an image of a well-known leader in the community or nation (e.g., Bill Gates, Pres.
Trump). Ask students to brainstorm what traits this person seems to have; then what skills; then what
behaviors; how adaptive or flexible they are in their style; whether and how they share power with their
followers; are they ethical? The answers will become harder to generate as the leadership approaches
become more complex.
Explain that leadership is not simple, but complex and multi-dimensional. Then explain how the
This exercise can be repeated with a well-known leader of a different gender or non-U.S. nationality
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
differently than in the first example? Why? Are leadership traits perceived differently depending on the
leader’s gender? The follower’s gender? Do different cultures/countries value different leadership traits
than in the United States?
Writing Assignments
Contemporary Leadership
Have students write a 2–3-page reaction paper about a contemporary leader (someone they know
personally or a public figure) and the way this person uses power. Students should use specific examples
Leadership Versus Management
Have students write a 2–3-page reaction paper that defends or attacks the view that leadership and
Leadership Autobiography
Have students write a “leadership autobiography” in which they reflect on their past and present
leadership experiences. What people have had a significant impact on them? What leadership traits do
Do You See What I See?
Have students read a newspaper editorial page (or series of articles in a weekly news magazine) that
feature(s) both positive and negative perceptions of a politician’s leadership (e.g., the president,
Assigned Versus Emergent Leadership
Have students write a one page response to the following questions: In what situations would an
assigned leader be most effective for helping a group solve a problem? In what situations would an
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Subtle Influences
Ask students to reflect on the people they spend time with. Given a choice, whom do they most enjoy
talking to? Whose opinion do they listen to the most? What kinds of people are they drawn to? Why?
One-Minute Paper Topics
Who is the most powerful person you know? What bases of power does he/she use?
Internet Activities
Internet #1: Class Blog
Using your campus’s online course management system, create a class blog or chat room to discuss
topics pertaining to the current chapter. This can supplement or replace some of the written
assignments typically required in the course. Post two or more responses per week and evaluate posted
Internet #2: Web Search
Ask students to check out the website of a company they might like to work for someday. What can they
infer about the company’s culture? What leadership traits seem to be valued in employees? How does
Internet #3: The Musician as Leader
Ask students to go to YouTube and watch a video clip of jazz musician Gerald Wilson. Then have them go
to allaboutjazz.com, click on “articles,” then “interviews” and type in the name “Gerald Wilson” in the
title box. Read the May 17, 2004, interview with this prolific musical artist and answer the questions
below:
Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
• In what ways is Wilson a leader? Which of the four components of Northouse’s definition of
leadership apply to Wilson?
Internet #4: Follow the Leader
Ask students “Who are the thought leaders you most admire?” Have them choose one and make a
Internet #5: Lollipop Moments
Consider not using lecture for your first exposure to the class. Instead, email students ahead of time and
ask them to watch a TED talk by Drew Dudley on “Everyday Leadership” before they come to class on