This document provides an overview of a communication and leadership course, including instructor information, course description and objectives, required reading, session themes and objectives, evaluation criteria, and honor code. The key points are: 1. The course examines theories and skills for developing effective communication and leadership, and includes opportunities to evaluate leaders in various contexts. 2. There are 14 sessions with themes like self-awareness, organizational leadership, and living a meaningful life. Students are assessed on projects, blog posts, and a final essay on self-awareness. 3. Students must abide by the honor code and pledge all work as their own original effort. Completing the course aims to help students improve their leadership abilities

1. HCOM 3364-2
Communication and Effective Leadership
Instructors: Bill Poston and Reagan Pugh
Office: N/A - please call or email
Office Hours: Th 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Phone: 830-446-9366 (Bill)
214-616-9134 (Reagan)
E-mail: bill.poston@kalypso.com
reagan.pugh@kalypso.com
Course Description
An examination of the theories and skills necessary for the development of effective
communication and leadership. The course includes opportunities for evaluating leaders,
leadership behavior and communication in a variety of civic and non-profit contexts.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to elevate the performance of leaders. Students are challenged to
develop their potential in seminar-style sessions covering leadership definitions, theory,
frameworks,and the global application of skills. Students will explore their behaviors,
motivations, values, influences, and character in an effort to increase self-awareness and
to think critically.
As a result of completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Articulate how their background influences the way they lead and apply their
findings to their global leadership interactions.
2. Clearly define their particular personal strengths and the activities they need to
continue or eliminate to become who they want to be.
3. Claim ownership over their actions and decisions by studying theories and
internalizing methods of being proactive, managing their time, embracing
empathy and practicing the abundance mentality.
4. Apply situational leadership practices to people management and understand the
right way to manage and empower the members of their organizations.
5. Identify their personal brand and understand the importance of personal brand
management.
6. Understand the importance and best practices of building relationships versus
“networking.”
7. Evaluate theories of happiness and differentiate life satisfaction from personal
fulfillment. Articulate a personal definition of happiness.
8. Acknowledge and internalize the debt they owe to society and embrace the
importance of giving back to their global community.
Required Reading
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Covey, Stephen R. (1989). The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
New York, NY: Free Press
Other related journal articles, essays, selected chapters and videos posted on T-Learn

2. Session themes
Session One – Self-Awareness
Real leadership has nothing to do with position, power or press – it involves self-
awareness and an understanding of motivations and background influences in order to
develop into a leader that matters. In Session One, students will internalize their
motivations and how their background affects their leadership style. Leaders who matter
first understand what they bring to the table and are able to see things from other people’s
perspectives.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Articulate how their background influences the way they lead
 Apply their findings and self-discovery to their global leadership interactions
Session Two – Who You Are
In Session One, we worked on self-awareness – who you are on the inside and how that
affects the way you behave and interact with others. In Session Two, we’re going to keep
the focus on your character and talk through the way you’re wired. What qualities do you
value? What are you strengths? What are you pre-disposed to do? What activities and
organizations help you become that person and what’s distracting you from going pro in
the area in which you want to be an expert?
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Come to a greater understanding of their character and who they are in
relation to who they want to be
 Clearly define the particular personal strengths and activities they need to
continue or eliminate in order to become who they want to be
Session Three – Shipping
One of the qualities that differentiates average individuals from extraordinary individuals
is the ability to get things done. There is a mystical step between talking about an idea
and shipping it out the door that prevents most people from action. This session will
cover stories of leaders who have a bias toward action and will explore new methods of
managing time, overcoming fear and turning ideas into reality.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Understand the importance of doing what they say they will do
 Develop the knowledge and skills to begin executing ideas instead of
talking about them
Session Four – Ownership
In the end, it is an ownership over emotions, actions and decisions that matters most.
Thoughts, feelings and intentions don’t create change or start something new. In Session
Three, students will review personal leadership theory from the first three of Covey’s
Seven Habits and revise their personal mission statement. Through discussion and
reflection on 1) being proactive, 2) beginning with the end in mind, and 3) putting first
things first, students will be guided to the understanding that their effectiveness as a
person and a leader really is up to them.

3. Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Own their actions and decisions
 Understand methods to be more proactive and manage their time
Session Five– Empathy and Effectiveness
This session covers Covey’s Seven Habits that focus on interdependence and the ethical
interaction with others. The personal leadership theories covered include: 1) think win-
win and, 2) seek first to understand. This session reinforces the theme of individual
ownership and proactivity first discussed last session.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Understand methods to embrace empathy and practice the abundance
mentality
Session Six – Unique Perspectives Presentations
There is no better way to learn than to teach. After five weeks of content, students will
take one of the themes previously discussed in the course and, in small groups,
collaborate to teach it more effectively than the instructors did. Afterward,each student
will complete a reflection examining the effectiveness of their group and the roles each of
their team members fell into.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Demonstrate their understanding of the leadership theories discussed
through the creation of their own presentations
 Establish a reinforced understanding of the importance of
interdependence through the collaborative nature of this project
Session Seven – Organizational Leadership (Guest Lecturer)
This session takes the tools from the first third of the course and provides students with a
workshop setting to “doctor” their student organizations. Using Covey’s Seven Chronic
Problems of organizations, Daniel Pink’s material on motivation and the concept of
“motivating the middle,” students will work in small groups to identify areas where their
current organization needs help and develop a plan to create change.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Develop the skillset to identify problems and issues in organizations and
create effective solutions
 Understand the right ways empower the members of their organization
 Create an action plan to address chronic problems in their organizations
Session Eight – Building a Tribe
We’ve talked about the importance of taking ownership over your actions, but this does
not create influence unless you establish trust with those you are leading. Once you find
yourself in the middle of the difficult work of running and leading an organization, it
becomes evident that it’s important to not only have the right tools and mindsets, but to
also understand the importance of flexibility, integrity and adaptability in your role as a
leader.

4. Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Understanding the role and drivers of trust and integrity in relationships
 Apply foundational leadership principles to organizational leadership
practices
 Apply the situational leadership theory to people management
Session Nine – The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership
In this session, we will present and explore Kouzes and Posner’s Five Practices of
Exemplary Leadership model. Students will then review the results of their self and peer
assessment through the Leadership Practices Inventory. By examining the feedback of
their peers,students will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of their leadership style.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Identify significant differences between self and peer evaluation of
specific leadership practices
 Cite the significant empirical support for the Five Practices of Exemplary
Leadership model
 Drive innovation and change by “challenging the process” in their
organizations
Session Ten – You, Inc.
Leaders are a brand in and of themselves. Understanding your brand and taking into
account the ways it is communicated will allow you to control the message you want
others to receive. It’s quite difficult to achieve your goals and become the leader you
wish to be if you don’t have a grasp of the product you’re presenting: You, Incorporated.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Identify their personal brand and understand the importance of personal
brand management
 Develop and elevator pitch for their personal brand
 Manage the channels for communicating their brand
Session Eleven – Living a Story-worthy Life
It was once said that those who change things live within earshot of their last terrifying
moment. In this session, we will encourage you to adopt the mindset of taking risks and
being action-oriented. With paired readings and case studies on individuals and
organizations that have chosen to live boldly, Session Eight is intended to drive you
toward your next big thing.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Identify areas in their life where they are drawn to take greater risks
 Adopt a bias toward action
Session Twelve – Finance and Fitness
In order to operate at a high level and be the positive influence you aspire to be, you must
first have influence over yourself. We’ve already talked about influence over your
schedule and your emotions – but we can’t leave out discipline over your finances and

5. fitness regimen. Having the resources that free you up to fulfill your potential and being
healthy enough to achieve your goals must be done on purpose.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Understand the connection between financial and physical discipline and
the effect it has on their development
Session Thirteen – Unique Perspectives Presentations
Students will take one of the themes discussed since the last round of presentations and,
in small groups, collaborate to teach it more effectively than the instructors did.
Afterward,each student will complete a reflection examining the effectiveness of their
group and the roles each of their team members fell into.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Demonstrate their understanding of the leadership theories discussed
through the creation of their own presentations
 Establish a reinforced understanding of the importance of
interdependence through the collaborative nature of this project
Session Fourteen – Living A Life of Meaning
What makes us happy? What does it mean to live a life of meaning? In this session,
students will go through an in-depth discussion about how our brain affects our
perception of our own satisfaction and money’s role in happiness. When it’s all said and
done – what is it that really provides one with lasting fulfillment and satisfaction?
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Understand the difference between day-to-day contentment and life
fulfillment
 Understand the perceived effect money has on happiness in different
societies around the world
 Articulate a personal definition of happiness
Session Fifteen – The Debt
Is service a choice or an obligation? Why do we always associate good leaders with
service? At what point in your life is it the correct time to start “paying it forward?”
Session Fourteen focuses on revealing the debt we owe to society, enforcing the urgency
of social engagement and uncovering the personal fulfillment of service.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, studentswill be able to:
 Acknowledge and internalize the debt we owe
 Understand the urgency of social engagement as a young person

6. Evaluation
Your final course grade will be determined using the following criteria:
Attendance and participation 200 points
Unique perspectives project 150 points
Unique perspectives project 150 points
Weekly blog 250 points
Essay 250 points
Total 1000 points
Attendance and participation
Attendance
Class will meet one day per week. Each student will be permitted one unexcused
classroom absences. Absences in excess of one (1) will result in a lowering of
your participation grade by ½ a letter grade. Excused absences must be made in
advance of the class. Students with 3 or more unexcused absencesmay be
dropped from the class. In addition, medical documentation must be provided
for absences due to illness and injury, and proper notification is required for all
Trinity sanctioned events. These excuses may be presented following the missed
class provided the instructor is notified in advance of the absence.
Participation
It is expected that students will take responsibility for their learning by:
 Being prepared for each class – having completed readings;
 Contributing to class discussion;
 Critically engaging course content;
 Raising questions or comments about readings; and
 Demonstrating respect for their peers.
Being present for each class and actively participating is worth 200 points (20%
of the final grade). The value of this course comes not only from the material and
lecture, but also from contributions from every student. We understand everyone
processes information and learns in different ways, but in this course, speaking
up and offering your unique perspective is an expectation.
Unique perspectives projects
Each student will be assigned to a small group of 3-4 at the beginning of the semester.
Students will take one of the themes discussed in class and, in small groups, collaborate
to teach it more effectively than the instructors did. Afterward,each student will
complete a reflection examining the effectiveness of their group and the roles each of
their team members fell into and post it on the class blog.
Each unique perspectives project will be worth 150 points (15% of the final grade) for a
total of 300 points (30% of the final grade).
Weekly submissions and comments on class blog
Students will be responsible for submitting a valuable thought, question, challenge or
reflection on a community blog each week. In addition to offering their own insights,
they are expected to comment on at least three other posts each week.
1000-940 = A 799-770 = C+
939-900 = A- 769-740 = C
899-870 = B+ 739-730 = C -
869-840 = B 699-690 = D
839-800 = B- <=599 F

7. Participating weekly on the class blog is worth 250 points (25% of the final grade).
Final essay
Self-awareness is perhaps the core theme of the entire class. Please write an essay
reflecting on the following statement:
Self-awareness is one of the most important attributes of an influential leader.
There is no word requirement– write enough to communicate your thoughts in a clear,
convincing and concise manner. You will be evaluated on the structure of your thoughts
and the validity of your arguments. Please include supporting evidence (with sources).
The final essay is worth 250 points (25% of the final grade).
Trinity University’s Academic Honor Code
The values of honesty, scholarship and the pursuit of excellence are central to the mission
of Trinity University. The Academic Honor Code is the system through which Trinity
students uphold these values by assuming individual responsibility for integrity. An
environment that encourages personal responsibility facilitates one of the highest aims of
education, the free pursuit of knowledge.
At its core the Academic Honor Code is based on trust. Because trust is the bond that
forms among all members of the Trinity community, it cannot exist independently or in a
vacuum. Thus, it is essential that all members of the Trinity community conduct
themselves in such a way that exemplifies integrity. Trinity students are trusted and
expected to be honest in their academic work. Any violation of the Academic Honor
Code destroys the value of the work, erodes the spirit of trust, and negatively impacts the
mission of the University.
Students who are under the Honor Code are required to pledge all written work
that is submitted for a grade: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received any
unauthorized assistance on this work” and their signature. The pledge may be
abbreviated “pledged” with a signature.