10A1-00 - POLICY ACTION PLANFor this project, identify an issue .docx

10A1-00 - POLICY ACTION PLAN
For this project, identify an issue of public concern that
interests you and use it as the basis for developing a policy
action plan. This plan will give you the opportunity to apply
what you have learned about leadership in public administration
by demonstrating how you would use your personal leadership
style to advance an important public cause. To demonstrate
these competencies include a profile of your leadership style as
well as references to leadership theories you have explored
during the course. You will also develop a problem statement,
identify key stakeholders who could be rallied to support the
plan, and devise a proposal suggesting how the problem should
be addressed.
To successfully complete this project, you will be expected to:
1. Analyze leadership theories and their evolution.
2. Illustrate methods of applying leadership theories.
3. Evaluate the impact of systems theory on leadership in the
field.
4. Assess strategies for change in a diverse community based on
leadership theories.
5. Apply critical thinking and communications skills to
leadership theories in the field.
To achieve a successful project experience and outcome, you
are expected to meet the following requirements.
For your course project you will synthesize the knowledge of
leadership theory and practice you have acquired throughout
this course to create a policy action plan and recommend a
strategy for implementing it. Your final project should include:
· An executive summary (1 page).
· A literature review of leadership theory and its application to
public administration (4 pages).
· A problem statement (2 pages synthesized from Unit 3
assignment 1 and Unit 8 assignment 1) that includes:
· An analysis of the overarching problem your action plan will

address.
· A definition of the specific problem you are addressing within
the overarching context.
· A statement of the scope of the specific problem you are
addressing.
· An evaluation of how systems theory influenced your problem
definition (Unit 8 discussion 1).
· An action plan that includes (3 pages):
· A stakeholder profile summary in narrative form (synthesized
from Unit 7 assignment 1).
· A plan for organizing a coalition that reflects a synthesis of
the information from:
· The stakeholder profile summary (Unit 7 assignment 1and
Unit 7 discussion 2).
· Your study of the implications of cultural diversity on
determining leadership approaches (Unit 5 discussion 2).
· Additional leadership theories that might aid in coalition
building.
· A policy recommendation and an evaluation of how systems
theory influenced the chosen solution.
· An implementation proposal that focuses on leadership
strategies.
· A personal leadership profile (5 pages) composed of:
· Your personal vision and its relationship to the needs and
values of the constituents affected by your policy action plan
(synthesized from Unit 2 assignment 1).
· An assessment of your strengths and weaknesses as a leader
(synthesized from Unit 5 assignment 1).
· A description of how you will use your personal leadership
style to support the policy action plan.
· Conclusion and recommendations, including a discussion of
leadership strategies to ensure long term viability (2 pages).
· References.
· Written communication: Written communication is free of
errors that detract from the overall message.
· APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted

according to APA (6th Edition) style and formatting.
· Number of resources: Minimum of 12 resources.
· Length of paper: 17 typed double-spaced pages.
· Font and font size: Times New Roman, 10 point.
Criteria
Evaluates leadership theories and their evolution.
Illustrated methods of applying leadership theories to a public
problem and demonstrates advanced critical analysis skills.
Develops an approach to resolving a public problem that
incorporates a systems theory approach. Contrasts with other
theoretical approaches.
Synthesizes strategies for change in a diverse community based
on leadership theories.
Presents a seminal and cogent analysis of the integration of
theory, policy, and leadership practice.
LEADERSHIP MIND MAP – U2A1-00
The first component of a personal vision of leadership is
courage. To have braveness requires self-belief. The quality
leaders are very assured in themselves and their thoughts, which
allow them to be decisive. But, they should be capable of exude
that confidence without conveying arrogance or intimidation!
Great leaders have the ability to make tough decisions and are
inclined to take risks, even if traditional wisdom could dictate
otherwise. They must be willing to stand by myself if they
consider in their convictions. This is without delay associated
with their visionary talents, strategic questioning and their self-
confidence.
The second component of a personal vision of leadership is
good communication skills. Great leaders do now not should be
incredible orators or awesome writers. What is required is that
they're inspirational and persuasive. They can speak and write
to the audience’s level. They speak in a way that generates
purchase-in and inclined fans. Good leaders must usually be

trustworthy, even delivering the horrific information whilst
suitable. But, they commonly exude a high-quality mind-set and
are visible as optimistic, even in the most troubling of times.
Even in the event that they do not have a professional
background or training in sales, leaders often exhibit elements
of effective selling competencies. They can strengthen their
thoughts in a logical and comprehensible manner to all tiers of
the organization
Another component of a personal vision of leadership is vision.
Outstanding leaders see the entire picture and do no longer get
too targeted on unique tasks or tasks. They have deep
understanding of related industries/groups and are strategic
thinkers. They regularly have sturdy networks and constantly
become aware of essential tendencies early of their life cycle.
They are excellent at communicating an imaginative and
prescient of the future and getting organizational buy-in. Strong
leaders understand their goal clients; recognize the
corporation's value proposition and additionally, its competitive
weaknesses. They major on enhancing center capabilities of the
employer and developing the talents and competencies to be
able to enhance their cost proposition.
Among the goal relating to leadership is listening.
Extraordinary leaders know they don't have every one of the
appropriate responses. They focus on asking more inquiries, and
tuning in to the appropriate responses. Listening is one of the
most ideal approaches to show colleagues that you esteem their
conclusions and think about their prosperity. Listening is vital
to all compelling correspondence. Without the capacity to listen
viably, messages are effectively misjudged. Accordingly,
correspondence separates and the sender of the message can
without much of a stretch wind up plainly baffled or bothered.
Another goal relating to leadership is innovation. Great leaders
are continuously running on fixing large problems or developing
and innovating new methods to do things. One of the benefits
of a revolutionary place of business is the usage of area to
increase productivity and worker pleasure whilst at work.

According to the General Services Administration, one of these
places of job has sufficient room for employees to sense free to
transport round. There must be access to herbal mild and out of
doors views. There ought to be locations wherein personnel can
meet to discuss standards privately in small companies as well
as large meeting rooms.
The first barrier that will need to be overcome to achieve the
vision is arrogance. Despite the fact that certainty is an
imperative administration quality, having excessively quite a bit
of this is considered as haughtiness. In the event that you are a
pioneer you will be required to utilize your certainty to impact
others and to convey aim and thoughts. This data ought to be
conveyed in a roused way that energizes and inspires others.
Certainty nonetheless, tends to develop if not oversaw
legitimately, and when this happens self-importance assumes
control and starts to make requests.
The second barrier that will need to be overcome to achieve the
vision is disorganization. A group will look to their pioneer for
instance of how things ought to be finished. On the off chance
that a pioneer always works at a hysterical pace yet completes
pretty much nothing, or requests data commonly however
neglects to move an aim without hesitation, it makes a confused
express that stops the stream of advance. This disarranged
method for working likewise unleashes stress and
disappointment and effects on all individuals from a group. A
pioneer should in this manner have the capacity to sort out their
timetable with the goal that it urges others to take after the
case. By being sorted out a pioneer additionally shows a more
extensive choice of aptitudes and administration ability.
Another barrier that will need to be overcome to achieve the
vision is untrustworthiness. Without trust it is extremely
troublesome for a pioneer to inspire others to do as they inquire.
A pioneer needs to grant learning, data and thoughts in a way
that exhibits genuineness and respectability. On the off chance
that others don't believe a pioneer they will wind up noticeably
impervious to whatever the pioneer proposes or requires. To

propel and move others a pioneer in this manner needs to rouse
trust, and in addition act as needs be in any circumstance. This
is best accomplished by being straightforward and dependable at
all circumstances.
Presented here below is a visual representation of the vision
statement.
References
Jackson, A. (2016). Concept Map of Leadership and
Management. Florence: European Univ. Institute.
Kendrick, A. (2010). Leadership theories:Concept map of
leadership and management. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press.
Lamarck, S. T. (2014). Concept map of leadership and
management. Canberra: Govt. Printer of Australia.
OVERALL COMMENTS FROM PROFESSOR FOR THIS
ASSIGNMENT: You have captured the essence of the
assignment by focusing how the various facets of your life
interacted with the other elements therein. In this regard, you
should have also reflected upon you’re your family may relate
to your vision attainment effort as per exercise 4.1. You should
also recognize the intrinsic value of your effort in terms of the
continuing educational realm; this area will help you to
overcome key barriers as you continue your work to attain and
maintain an emerging vision. Also, you provided good analysis
as to the nature of the framework related your vision. In this
sense, you have come to understand with key barriers as related
to your goals. Finally, you offer a helpful graphic of your
vision as it highlights the steps you need to take to attain your
vision as a leader.
DEFINING THE PROBLEM – U3A1-00
Residential property taxes are a primary source of local
government financing and the cost of owning a house.
Homeowners view rising house prices favorably, but raising the
property tax according to the house value is not viewed in the

same light. When house prices move up rapidly, there is the
concern by the public about property taxes increasing (Schiller,
2015). This makes the real estate sector among the heavily
taxed sectors. The united states tax all its citizens,
Domestic Corporation and trust on as their income despite
where it’s earned. Policies ought to be implemented to make
sure that property taxes on residential homes are affordable and
make it for most people to own homes.
Policy entrepreneurs in the sector of real estate should
formulate different innovative strategies that make property
taxes on residential houses without putting their interest first.
They should first identify the group of people who are affected
by the taxes, secondly formulate strategies to tackle this
problem and finally push for reforms using the involved
organization. The owners of the real estate properties are among
the key stakeholders and should be actively involved in finding
a remedy to the property tax concerns for the citizen buying
their properties. The agreement should be made by the policy
makers involved. An entire definition of the problem identified
and other problems associated with the concern stated. A broad
range of solutions should be of solutions identified, and the
suitable one agreed on, a plan or policy formulated which is
legally and morally accepted another policy should be reviewed
to ensure all aspects of the concerned are met (Sihna, 2016).
Transformation leadership should be used to critically
analyze and evaluate the problem. These should be done in three
phases which include high, middle and low stages. In all the
stages should be involved of the participants affected by the
problem. At high levels leaders who help identify whether the
property taxes on real estate is an issues concern or not and if it
is a problem does it require any policy making. If there is need
of action what are the purpose of the actions. To identify the
problem the leader to mobilize people at different levels and get
their views on the public concern. A safe place to let out their
ideas and concern should be addressed. This helps ensure the
key stakeholders in the public concern that their problem and

the policies to be made are taken well into consideration of their
problem.
The strategies made under transformational leadership are
for the common good. The strategies can be done in three
different approaches to come up with policies to solve the
problem these approaches include adapting known solutions,
searching for solution known that are not known to the group
and developing the innovative solution. Apart from identifying
the solution, they should identify which solution is likely to be
interesting to the key stakeholders and which is likely to be
supported by them and the broader public. This analysis is
helpful in placing the problem, identifying one or more
promising solutions on the public agenda. Hence creating a
public issue which might attract policy makers and other
affected parties who might influence the formulation adoption,
and implementation of the specific policies (Evren M. tok,
Lolwah R. Alkhater, Leslie A. Pal, 2016).
The problem can be redefined under the system theory to
ensure the policies solution made are for the common and for
purposes of sustainability. Under this focus is shifted from
forums to areas. Problems are addressed in the manner that is
technically and administratively feasible, economical acceptable
legally and ethically responsible (Van, 2006). The focus is
played in different areas to view the problem at different
aspects and for various parties to give their understanding of the
problem. Negotiation and bargaining are common at this phase.
The discussion should establish with different parties such rea
estate developed, constructing companies, politician, and real
estate owners to come up with alternatives policies and
exchange them with another, speak up of relative merits of their
option and finally engage in the successful decision design.
Leadership theories are different, and their application in
policy making may result in different policy outcome.
Participative leadership every stakeholder is involved the
process of decision-making, and policy formulation and the
outcome of the policy attends to put into consideration all the

issues raised by the different stakeholders. In participative
leadership, communications are facilitated and different ideas
shared, and the best decision is made and communicated back to
the respective parties (Anit, 2010). The policy outcomes of this
leadership tend to be for the common.
Situational leadership there is no engagement of the
different stakeholders and the decision is not agreed on, but it’s
for the common good. If policies are to be made on how
property tax are to be reduced on real estate, in the case of
situational leadership the government under the ministry of
housing comes up with policies to address the issue affecting
the real estate owners without engaging the different
stakeholders involved in the real house sector. Hence the
policies made might tend to address the real concern and may
not have the common good of the public resulting in undesirable
outcomes.
Depending the type of leadership style policy entrepreneurs
decides to use to solve the problem, the common good of the
public concern should be the priority when they formulate the
solution to solve the concern. And this greatly influence the
policy outcome and its adoption by policy makers.
References
Anit, S. (2010, March 19). Participative Leadership. Retrieved
from Sage Journals:
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1094670510361745
Evren M. tok, Lolwah R. Alkhater, Laslie A. Pal. (2016, August
11). Policy-Making in Transformative State: The case of Qatar.
Policy Making in Transformative Leadership, PP.1-33.
Schiller, T. (2015). Property Tax and Assessment Practice.
What Its Worth, 2-3.
Sihna, R. (2016, December 16). 2016: A Year of Policy.
Retrieved from Housing: https://housing.com/news/tag/policy-
changes/

Van, M.D. (2006). System Leadership: Expectationa Leaders for
Expectional Times. System Leadership for Children’s Service in
U.S., 4-7.
ASSIGNMENT You apply some of the facets of the “six-steps”
approach, as it relates to the area of residential property taxes,
in a manner that provides an overview of the problem as such.
With that said, you must examine and further integrate and
apply the material/research products and academic literature
that relates to this complex topical area. This literature, in turn,
will help you to further develop and define the nature of the
problem that relates to your topical area. From another vantage,
you need to review and apply the notion of subsystems in terms
of your analysis pertaining to this problem area in an explicit,
detailed manner. For instance, you should examine how
community groups, advocacy entities, elected/appointed
officials and research centers that impact this problem area from
a subsystem vantage. Moreover, you must apply the literature in
terms of your analysis relating to the redefinition of the
problem. With that said, you did apply some of the key
leadership theories that relate well to this topical area.
However, you need to support your posts pertaining to these
leadership theories with the literature.
From an editing perspective, you must edit your narrative as
you are not consistently applying the APA formatting
convention properly; you must apply the lower-case and upper-
case lettering as aligned with the APA requirements accordingly
(see example Agranoff example of a Journal citation and
Barnard of a book below and your reference for alignment for
corrective action purposes):
CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND PUBLIC LEADHERSHIP –
05D2
Implications of Cultural Diversity

Interactions of people from diverse social and cultural
backgrounds form part of a global economy with radial
competition from across all continents leading to increased
globalization. However, managing this workplace diversity
remains a considerable organizational challenge which
managers must be ready to handle if the associated high
productivity potential and competitive advantage is to be
realized. One of the vital components of effective workforce
management is sound management and valuation of its
diversity. On the contrary, unmanaged people diversity can be
very detrimental in not only realizing organizational goals but
also on individual behavior and the development and practice of
theories.
In the Arabian Gulf, the inconsistencies of the culture reveal the
dilemma of the natives as shown by the desire for change and
stability making it difficult to develop consistent management
theories. The Arabians’ implicit leadership theory bred on
conformity and dependency on social norms has resulted in
limited ability to initiate change. It is however notable that
improved infrastructure and exposure to the foreign world has
awakened an increasing acceptance of contemporary work
methods such as flexibility, consultation and future orientation.
For the implementation of implicit leadership theories, laws and
regulations need to be legislated on leaders’ accountability and
performance oriented behavior as (Moran, Abramson, & Moran,
2014, p. 42) states in his book.
In dealing with complex issues, multicultural organizations
possess enhanced ability in extracting expanded meanings,
multiple perspectives and better problem-solving qualities.
Additionally, diversity in an organization also brings flexibility
and adaptability to changes. The benefits of broad base talents
in technology industries and the high-quality workforce surplus
cannot be overlooked in ethnic-diverse institutions.
The negative implications associated with diversity of culture in
organizations are without doubt damaging. Problem solving and
other mitigation processes are very costly as far as time and

financial resources are concerned at times these situations can
stretch into dysfunctional conflicts. The negative dynamics and
clashes of culture associated with diversity in organizational set
ups can result detractions in overall productivity of the
participants leading to adverse effects on the economy. Finally,
equality is symbolized in a diverse organizational workforce
and if not well attended to can have adverse effects on the
organization’s reputation.
References
Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V.
(2014). Managing cultural differences. London: Taylor and
Francis.
PERSONAL LEADERSHIP PROFILE – U5D3-00
Assessment of Personal Leadership Styles
The assessment of personal leadership styles is dependent on
the community settings where leaders must deal with people
with wide arrays of leadership attitudes, customs and
experiences. This situation therefore poses challenges to
identification of effective tools and methods for evaluating
personal leadership in organizational and community settings. It
is however important to pursue inherent educational methods
that incorporate respect for the life experiences and easy to
communicate to the subjects. This state can only be achieved
through incorporation of leadership that can inspire and
mobilize collective action for the common good for all.
The approach presented by Crosby and Bryson explores a
leadership style that seeks to finding solutions to pressing
public problems through formation, adoption and
implementation of a public policy that honors the promises
made to the participants. Their political leadership approach
illustrates use of power in initiating and delivering change. It is
a style that forges the way for advancement of a personal
agenda through empowering and engaging others in leadership.

One of the requisites of this style is the possession of skills to
work effectively in intellectually diversified environment.
Power management, conflicts resolution, coalition development
and addressing issues arising from integration and involvement
of team players are among the values that govern this leadership
style as depicted by (Prastacos, Wang, &Soderquist, 2012, p.
35).
The stakeholders’ level of commitment is a critical aspect of
power leadership in which the dynamics between participants
need to be explored. It is a charismatic, servant and laissez-faire
style that spur others to action while raising team morale
through provision of job tools, inclusive decision making and
regulated feedbacks collectively leading to job satisfaction and
increased productivity.
This comprehensive approach requires effective mobilization to
management of diversity among the participants and subjects.
Lack of proper diversity management may draw communication
breakdown leading to complex conflicts (Salas, Goodwin, &
Burke, 2012, p. 28). Culture clashes may hinder cooperation
leading to adverse effects on productivity of the participants
due to frustrations. Negativity may arise due to unprecedented
internal competition rising from biased conflict resolution,
mentorship and empowerment based on cultural differences.
In making this assessment of personal leadership styles, I would
like to express the areas of leadership styles that play a very
important role in my life as well as in the lives of others to
whom I encounter. As both a visionary leader and a transitional
leader, there are several earmarks that I must consider as a
public administrator:
1. Ethical Leadership – being able to recognize, understand and
articulate one’s own values when it pertains to the others,
becomes very critical in making sound decisions. It is also very
important to be able to identify and determine this asset in the
performance and allegiance in those you oversee or employ, as
well as the growth of the company.
2. Loyalty and Respect – is a value that all leaders should be

able to express with the companies work ethic. As an
administrator and pastor, this is one leadership quality that I
must ascertain in all that I do. It also creates a safe
environment for both employer and employee as well as
stakeholders to trust.
3. History of Fair Dealing – When your word of communication
and your actions are of integrity and honesty, all stakeholders,
participants, and the community will be willing to continue
working with you. They trust your opinion in their affairs and
would highly recommend and continue to support the work you
as a public leader have shown you are capable to do. This
brings about an action of Trust.
4. Building Trust – In some of today’s business and as we see in
the political arena. There is a lot of corruption and people
demand accountability. In my position as stated in one of my
earlier papers, I oversee the financial aspect as well as insuring
the well-being of the persons we are contracted with. I must
ensure that all levels of workers must adhere to polices so that
we operate in a manner that infuses trust in all relationships.
5. Inspire and Create Vision in Others - one of my
responsibility is to create vision and to inspire my employees as
well as my clients. I want them to be passionate and excited
about what they are doing. I believe this value will benefit the
team and help them to explore their own personal values.
In conclusion, my own personal leadership profile is that of
ethics, value, commitment, customer satisfaction, team building,
appreciation, and diversity.
References
Prastacos, G. P., Wang, F., &Soderquist, K. E.
(2012). Leadership and Management in a Changing World:
Lessons from Ancient Eastern and Western Philosophy.
Dordrecht: Springer.
Salas, E., Goodwin, G. F., & Burke, C. S. (2012). Team

effectiveness in complex organizations: Cross-disciplinary
perspectives and approaches. New York: Routledge.
STAKEHOLDER PROFILE – U7A1-00
INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
Employees
The workers of an organization are mostly affected directly by
the decision made by the management of the business. Change
in policies by the Directorate affects them, and they can even
oppose the plan action. Also, their work affects the performance
of the company.
Management
They make the final decision in the company and implement
them. They can also cause changes in the plan of the
organization. They support action plan.
Owners
They are directly affected by the decision made by the
organization. Since they are the people who offer financial
assistance, there is every need to involve them in decision
making. They are mostly likely to support any action plane.
EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
Suppliers
They are the persons who supply raw materials to the
organization. Therefore, their actions affect the action plan of
the organization. So, the company should involve them in
decision making.
Shareholders
They assist the performance of the organization through
offering liquid finance. If they decide to sell their shares
unexpectedly, it will affect the action plane of the business.
Customers
They keep on changing their needs. As a result, they are mostly
likely to oppose the motion plane of the company.
Maintain the level of interest and engage the stakeholders
through consulting them. Ensure you move them to the right

though it may be a risk in the management ideas.
Manage closely involve in projects and decision on a regular
bases.
Have low priority and monitor through minimal effort.
Keep on informing the stakeholders on your activities. Consult
the group through involvement.
Low High
Stakeholders
Criteria used to access the coalition’s actual and potential
performance
Our sense of their judgments about our performance
Very good
Ok
Poor
Ethic
·
·
Physical capability
·
·
Training and evaluation
·
·
Age
·
·
Gender
·
·

Conclusion
Therefore, there should be a transformational leadership which
is best postured to run the business, and it starts from the
premises. Also, it suggests that if you bring together the
appropriate people in a constructive way with useful
information, they will create authentic visions and strategies for
addressing the shared concern of the organization (Dugan,
2016). As a result, it helps in reducing opposition to the action
plan of the firm. A behavioral theory of leadership is the
assumption that aid in building a coalition in the business. It
shows how their behaviors affect the business. Democratic
leaders are the best since they allow the stakeholders to
contribute to decision and action plan development. Therefore,
firms should adopt a policy that allows all parties concerned to
contribute to work plan development.
References
Dugan, J. P. (2016). Leadership theory. Placed of publication
not identified: New York: John Wiley & Sons.
ASSIGNMENT: You provide for helpful overview in terms of
your review as to the roles assumed by the various stakeholders
from a general perspective. However, I am unclear as to how
these leadership areas relate to and/or align with the a specific
problem that area that is theoretically under consideration.
Although you highlight some stakeholders in terms of your
power-interest grid matrix, the alignment of this policy/problem
area must be rendered much clearer in nature as it relates to the
overall nature of this assignment. Such an alignment will then
provide greater value in terms of the overall application in
terms of the nature of your grid and stakeholder worksheet. For
the final paper you will also need to capture any critical
maintenance/management issues that may emerge concerning
your topic, as and then apply the needed adjustment(s).
THE LEADERSHIP AND STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIP –

U7D2-00
LEADER-STAKEHOLDER COALITION
A good leader should have the capability of building a
good relationship with their stakeholders and create a friendly
environment for all the interested parties in the organization.
Manager and stakeholder collaboration results into leadership.
Leaders who are more effect and those who build a real
coalition with every member in the business are the directors
who understand the type of people they are leading. The
relationship can happen as a result of actions, value, and
concept (In Nkrumah, 2014). These are the primary elements
that bridge the formation of a stable coalition. Amongst these,
the value is the most importance ideals that guide the priorities
and are core to an organization. They tie people together; help
them to set visions and its effects on what to do as a firm. As a
result, all the members in the business feel that they are part of
the organization and they carry out their duties efficiently.
However, other elements act as a pitfall of the coalition.
One of the items is unreliable means of passing information.
Lack of efficient data flow it leads to disagreement in the
organization threatening the level of the coalition. Failure to
involve all the stakeholders in decision making is another factor
that can result in the wrong alliance in any firm. Here the top
management may take all the responsibilities of making the
decisions, and as a result, it becomes hard to implement them.
Some of the policies that they come up with may affect the
functionality of the employees in the organization. Due to this,
they never feel as if they are part of the business. The workers
end up carrying out their duties and highly depend on close
supervision because failure to that they will not take their
responsibilities well.
Reference
In Nkrumah, Y.K. (2014). Accelerating health reforms through
collective action.

PROBLEM STATEMENT – U8A1-00
Introduction and Historical Overview of the Problem
Drug addiction is a gradual process and does not just happen
overnight. From long ago, humans have found ways to alter
levels consciousness by taking substance that maybe harmful to
their bodies. Driven by different motives, people of all age,
gender and race have had, or dealt with the problem of drug
addiction in their lives. In the USA, the problem has far
reaching consequences and it is worrying that our teenagers and
youth are the most affected of all. Most accidents of all sorts be
it firearms or cars have been linked to alcohol and substance
abuse.
To maintain their lifestyle, addicts may resort in criminal
activity and drug abuse has been known to be a major
contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS among youths. What
starts are sharing a good time with friends after school, or
having some wine after a long day’s work soon becomes need
for the body. And in no time, the only goal in life becomes
getting high, and a downward spiral of life takes course. Drug
addicts fall into self-inflicted pain that they perceive only
opioids can relieve. Within no time, they have hit rock bottom
and this is addiction at its worst. With large amounts of these
toxics drugs ingested every day for a long time comes toxic
psychosis. This is never a pleasant feeling and it is very heart-
breaking to the family seeing their loved one in this state.
Why the Problem was Selected
Drug addiction can be said to be a severe, relapsing illness
where an individual develops psychological and physical
dependence on drugs, such that the desire to use drugs is
overpowering, despite the knowledge of the repercussions.
Despite the statistical data put up and the information available
on numerous platforms the drug abuse problem is still at large
and has a way of affecting our day to day lives. It could be at
the office, at home or at school. It is also difficult to determine
the actual scale of drug abuse, and as an evil affecting the
young and working population. It needs to be addressed. The

systems theory helps us understand why people misuse
substance up to the point of addiction. It is a framework on the
best way to handle the case.
Overview of the Approach Used
To curb drug abuse within the society and according to the
systems theory, we use the multidimensional approach which
will address different influences on one’s drug abuse patterns.
As such everyone in the community will be involved in
addressing the problem. It is also designed such that everyone
has a role to play, be it the family, the addict themselves, the
medical practitioners, the drug producers, among others.
Overarching Problem
In drug and substance abuse the real danger is addiction. Not all
those who take drugs eventually end up addicts, addiction
begins when people develop tolerance for the substance which
causes them to use it in higher quantities and more frequently.
One is only cured of addiction when they get off the drug and
the body is cured off chemical dependency.
Drug Addiction as the Specific Problem
One dollar of every 14dollars of the national health care bill is
spent to treat those suffering from smoking related illness
alone. The drug addiction problem affects from the family level
through the society to the government. Most of domestic
violence reported is because of substance abuse at the time of
the incident. Addiction sure does lead to death either as a direct
course (through suicide) or indirectly through related illness.
The good news is that addiction can be cured and when systems
theory applies, it fosters a better relation in the society and
greater balance for an individual.
Statement of the Scope of the Problem
We interact with the problem of drug abuse in our lives and it is
on a growing trend. With pharmaceuticals growing in use as
substance abused, the public has placed little emphasis on this
problem. With growing broken homes and depressed persons
across the country, many lose the harmony that brings balance
in their lives. This would result in a dysfunctional scenario and

as the statistics show, drug abuse is easily taken up. It has
become a global issue as almost all the countries are affected by
it in one way or another.
How Systems Theory Influenced Problem Definition
Humans exist within a set of nested systems that have influence
over individuals. Individuals’ behavior is only understood by
considering the aspects of our social system as told by Von
Bertalanffy. Addiction is also caused by an equally larger social
system that surrounds an individual and does influence their
decisions. As told early, if the natural balance of a system is
dysfunctional, then the system will definitely maintain that
dysfunction ergo foster addiction. The families and friends and
the environment makes up one’s natural balance. If they are
exposed to anything short of that then that becomes their new
reality and could easily get into drug and substance abuse.
Hidden forces in the family can serve to flourish the
dysfunction according to the theory. Families need to work
together to promote a more functional system that does not
promote addiction.
References
Tom Horvath, P. K. (2016). General Systems Theory of
Addiction and Recovery Implications. Mentalhelp.net, 5.
Angers DH, B.-A. K. (2008). The disease of addiction: origins,
treatment and recovery. Dis Mon, 696-721.
Cao, G., Clarke, S., & Lehaney, B. (2003). Diversity
Management in Organizational Change: Towards a Systemic
Framework. Systems Research and Behavioral Science,, 20 (3) :
231–242.
McNeece, C. A., & DiNitto, D. M. (2011). Chemical
Dependency: A Systems Approach. Pearson Education.

Solow, D., & Szmerekovsky, J. G. (2006). The role of
leadership: What management science can give back to the
study of complex systems. Emergency: Complexity &
Organization, 8( 4) : 52-60.
OVERALL COMMENT FROM PROFESSOR FOR THIS
ASSIGNMENT:You have examined an important, complex
problem area and you have clearly identified the critical, key
elements that serve to frame the nature of this problem. With
that said, you may wish to provide further review as to some of
the emerging best practices and approaches to collaboration as
driven by the nature of your problem area as described in your
analysis; you may reference some of the research related to the
Center for Medicaid Services (CMS), the US Department of
Health and Humans Services, General Accountability Office
(www.gao.gov) for model or exemplar approaches. These best
practices may offer you a useful set of models to apply to your
overall analysis pertaining to the nature of this problem area. In
this regard, you should review of the Heifetz literature in terms
of the notion of Adaptive Leadership to support and frame your
analysis (see as attached). Such an examination may offer some
helpful remedies to your problem area and/or highlight some
best practices to be explored and/or undertaken. Finally, please
attend to the edits noted below.
SYSTEMS THEORY AND PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION –
U8D1-00
A Public Problem I Have Read About
One public problem that I have read and heard about all over is
the issue of substance abuse and addiction. The United states
have continuously been in a losing war against substance
abuses, for the longest time ever. as such, it is no secret that
budgets have hiked within the last twenty years because of the
drug abuse menace. In fact, statistics show that the drug-related

incarcerations, keep on rising to new levels while the drug
troubles keep worsening. Drug abuse among adolescents is on
the high, deaths because of overdosing. To make it worse, drugs
like heroin and cocaine become more available as well as
cheaper than before. Such is also, leading to the widespread of
HIV/AIDS. One thing is for sure, Drug problems can be reduced
at a much less cost if the course of action is changed, such that
effective strategies were applied.as at now, the federal budget is
so limited that it is important to re-evaluate the programs that
are running in the country. Only programs that work need to be
funded.
Applying Systems Approach to Solve the Issue
The complexity of the drug abuse crisis is one that requires,
legislative, medical, education, legal as well as behavioral
change. As such, the changes need to be made in coordination
with one another simultaneously. States, as well as
communities, can only succeed if they can manage to align all
the various actors to establish systems that would otherwise
prevent people from being dependent on drugs. i.e. opioids,
while at the same time being able to support the recovery of
those who are already addicted. In this case, the systems
approach is the most effective one and much important, since it
takes community-wide efforts and also works at all the levels of
governance to address the problem. In that connection, I
established six components that are key to developing a system-
wide solution. They include:
Recognize That Everyone Within the Community Has Their
Given Role to Play
In this case, a person who produces, or prescribes opioids as
well as that who treats, enforces the laws or is an educator or an
individual taking opioids or a family member, all have a role to
play.it is not about relying on another person for a solution. the
educator could educate about the risks of substance abuse, the
person who prescribes should also avoid and limit the
prescriptions.
Work Together

In most cases, communities lack coordination. Having financial,
human as well as programmatic resources, it is important to
have proper coordination to avoid wasting the resources
Work Simultaneously on the Various Parts of the System.
It is not prudent to only focus on naloxone distribution or
increasing the availability and access to treatment (McNeece &
DiNitto, 2011). As such, it is imperative to focus on all the
tenets of the system
Do Not Be Ambiguous Concerning the Risks Related to Opioid
Prescription
About 75% of those who use heroin begun by a simple
prescription. A such, it is imperative to change the kind of
conversations with the patients from the word go. They need to
understand that prescription of opioids is dangerous as such, all
people including the patients and their families be involved, and
not take opioids like pain killers.
Retraining of the Whole Medical Practitioner Community
Most physicians have misconceptions concerning the risks as
well as the gains of opioid prescription. changing the practice
would take a long time. Therefore, the physicians must be
retrained on the different ways to treat the different kinds of
pains, there numerous alternatives for chronic pain, not
necessarily opioids.
Realize That Addiction Has the Tenets of a Chronic Disease and
Should Be Treated Accordingly
The drug addiction risks cut across all boundaries. They are
inclusive of middle-aged women, School athletes, among other
people.as such, people die because of addiction. It is that
imperative to realize that addiction is not a simple moral failing
but rather a physical as well as psychological disease that needs
to be managed, just as a chronic disease is managed.
References
Tom Horvath, P. K. (2016). General Systems Theory of
Addiction and Recovery Implications. Mentalhelp.net, 5.

Cao, G., Clarke, S., & Lehaney, B. (2003). Diversity
Management in Organizational Change: Towards a Systemic
Framework. Systems Research and Behavioral Science,, 20 (3) :
231–242.
McNeece, C. A., & DiNitto, D. M. (2011). Chemical
Dependency: A Systems Approach. Pearson Education.
Solow, D., & Szmerekovsky, J. G. (2006). The role of
leadership: What management science can give back to the
study of complex systems. Emergency: Complexity &
Organization, 8( 4) : 52-60.

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