15610 Leading in Local Government

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Institute for Public Policy and Governance
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 15604 Local Government Principles and Practice OR 49460 Local Government Management Principles and Practice 1 OR 15608 Organising and Managing in Local Government OR 49277 Corporate Planning and Management
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This postgraduate subject focuses on evaluating and developing the core professional capabilities and skills that are required to make full use of the challenges and opportunities of being a leader in local government. The subject encourages aspiring and current leaders to extend their thinking and practice in the five domains of: Leading Self; Leading Others, Leading Organisations, Leading Change, and Leading Futures. The subject combines conceptual frames of reference from leadership studies with scenarios and case studies from within local government contexts to encourage students to evaluate the qualities required to lead effectively in this sector. The subject enables students to leverage new knowledge and thinking in their role and career progression through a tailored action plan for leadership development.

This is a core subject in the Graduate Certificate in Local Government Leadership (C11215). It is offered as an elective subject in the Graduate Diploma in Local Government Management (C06033) and the Master of Local Government (C04257). It can also be taken as a short course.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1.	Review and synthesise knowledge from leadership literature and experience across five common domains for leadership (Self, Others, Organisations, Change, Futures) .
2.	Evaluate the skills and capabilities required for leading effectively in local government and apply to their own councils and contexts.
3.	Demonstrate a range of leadership practices including high level communication and relationship skills that enable diverse council organizations to achieve outcomes for employees and communities.
4.	Take accountability for personal leadership effectiveness through initiating a strategy for development within their current role.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

Consider issues with an attitude that is open, ethical and fosters cultural competence across diversity. (A.1)
Assume a convincing role in identifying and addressing issues in local government. (A.2)
Communicate and engage effectively with people from diverse perspectives and cultures, acknowledging the status of Indigenous peoples in so doing. (C.1)
Synthesise and deliver well-informed, engaging and effective written and oral presentations, including the use of online platforms. (C.2)
Apply understandings of contemporary theories of governance, management and/or leadership to local government and adjacent organisations, including Indigenous perspectives and organisations. (P.1)
Undertake applied research to inform governance, management and/or leadership practice. (R.1)
Develop innovative approaches to local governance, management and/or leadership practices. (R.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject aims to build confidence and courage in developing professional leadership ability. Throughout the learning experience, students address different thematic areas with a focus on developing leadership effectiveness within their own local government environments.

Students engage with a dedicated Canvas site prior to the first session and complete reflection questions to bring to the first session. Students are expected to access Canvas to read indicated material and review online resources outside of being on campus to stimulate discussion and interactive learning during in-class sessions.

Classroom based activities include guided learning through presentations and workshops, scenario simulation exercises relating to specific content areas, reflective questioning, peer coaching and in-class feedback to help gain perspectives, build knowledge and apply skills development in practice. Facilitated student discussions draw on readings, themes and case study examples from students and guest presenters.

Throughout the course students will receive feedback in a number of ways, including feedback from an online assessment, and in class feedback.

Content (topics)

This subject focuses on five domains for leading in local government:

Leading Self
- Expectations and Aspirations of Leaders
- Leadership - a Management Perspective
- 'Managing Self' in Local Government
- Strengths and Accountability in Government
Leading Others
- Motivation and Negotiation
- Stakeholder Relationships
- Building Leadership Credibility
- Performance Feedback and Coaching
Leading Organisations
- Culture and Engagement
- Communication
- Equity and Diversity in Local Government workforces
- Innovation and Creativity for Better Practice
Leading Change
- Change Theory
- Change Processes
- Advocating for Change in Local Government
- Resilience and Wellbeing
Leading Futures
- Evolving Debates in Leadership Studies
- Student Presentations
- Student Presentations
- Next Steps for Development

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Presentation and written summary - Interview with a leader

Intent:

Evaluate personal and professional skills and capabilities through an interview with a local government leader.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1 and 2

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

C.2 and R.1

Type:

Presentation

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

40%

Length:

3 page written summary

5-10 minute presentation

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
There is demonstrated evidence of having prepared for the presentation. The student communicates clearly and effectively, makes good use of the time and articulates ideas and findings that relates to the interview and to background reading.	50	1	C.2
The summary document includes an overview of the interview process, questions and findings that provides important and useful perspectives on leading within a local government context and enables the student to evaluate skills and capabilities required for effective leadership	50	2	R.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Participation and engagement

Intent:

Peer Interaction

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

3 and 4

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.2 and C.1

Type:

Demonstration

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

10%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
The student engages with course content and classroom discussions and is able to reflect honestly on their involvement and behaviours when communicating and relating	50	3	C.1
The student is able to assess their ability to articulate critical thinking and engage with tools with their peers during practical sessions	50	4	A.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Analysis and application of leadership concepts

Intent:

Synthesise leadership thinking and apply to leadership practice in an evaluative report.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2 and 4

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

A.1, P.1 and R.2

Type:

Report

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

50%

Length:

3000 words

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
The student includes an informed assessment of how professional judgement and practice on the topic areas is influenced by their personal views	20	1	A.1
There is reference to, and evaluation of local government leadership approaches, methodologies and theoretical frameworks to evaluate leading in local government	40	2	P.1
The student is able to articulate and evaluate activities in their work sphere by applying perspectives from experience and from the literature. An action plan for continuing professional development is provided that includes ideas for innovative leadership practice.	40	4	R.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Students must meet attendance requirements and overall must obtain at least 50% of the total marks.

Recommended texts

Recommended readings are outlined in the Guide to Assignments and readings. Key readings are made available via Canvas.