Outline

Overview

This is one of the two foundation modules in the Executive MBA. This module challenges students to examine their own leadership, to develop their self-awareness: what is their impact on their teams, their organisations and their communities. Students develop their understanding of different leadership perspectives by looking at leadership through various lenses: for example, military, political, philosophical, ethical and musical, and examining their application to different business situations. Students have the opportunity to undertake a 360-degree assessment of their leadership style, to receive coaching and to develop a plan for improving their leadership capabilities. Through various constructed experiences, students develop the ability to self-direct, to work in teams, to engage in strategic thinking and self-reflection, to identify and manage power relationships, to negotiate and influence others, to manage the media and to understand the key elements of ethical decision-making. Students will deliver a group presentation demonstrating their understanding of different leadership perspectives and their application to a current management challenge.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Management Education
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Kevin Lowe, kevin.b.lowe@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Final team project presentation Oral presentation, written task	50%	Week 02 Due date: 07 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 07 Mar 2026	45 minutes, 1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Reflective report Report	50%	Week 05 Due date: 29 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 08 Apr 2026	5000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Final team project presentation: For your team project, identify an organisational challenge or opportunity which is an example of a complex (“wicked”, adaptive or messy) problem that is not easily addressed by existing frameworks, knowledge or experience. Use the leadership insights, frameworks and perspectives that you have been exposed to during the module to develop an innovative leadership approach to solving this problem. The presentation is to be supplemented by an executive summary which is to be submitted to the unit coordinators in advance of the presentation.
Reflective report: Students will undertake an individual written assignment covering individual reflections on their experience of the leadership unit, and the relevance and impact of different
perspectives and insights generated through the unit for, and on, their views of leadership, their personal leadership style and their behaviours as leaders.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

According to University and Business School policies.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Day 1 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)
	Day 2 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)
	Day 3 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)
	Day 4 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)
	Day 5 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)
	Day 6 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)
Week 02	Day 7 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)
	Day 8 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)
	Day 9 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)
	Day 10 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)
	Day 11 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)
	Day 12 Morning and Afternoon (session and guest lecture information provided on canvas site).	Lecture (6 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. deconstruct and reconstruct existing perspectives of leadership in ways that are of value to the practice of leadership in business organisations
LO2. identify insights drawn from political, military, philosophical, dramaturgical and musical perspectives on leadership and explain their relevance to the practice of business leadership
LO3. demonstrate creativity, critical reasoning, strategic thinking, reflexive listening, persuasiveness, political judgement and ethical decision-making in the practice of leadership in a business context
LO4. identify key dynamics in teams and utilise collaborative, team skills to generate creative and effective outcomes.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Business School Policies

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EMBA6002: Reframing Leadership

Semester 1, 2026 [Block mode] - Castlereagh St, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links