12 Aug The word praxis means “practical application or exercise of a branch of learning.

Description of Assignment:

The word praxis means “practical application or exercise of a branch of learning.” It comes from a Latin word meaning “to do,” or “to take action.” The final paper is termed a praxis paper because it is specifically designed to help you translate and integrate the Women in Organizations course constructs into your personal development agenda. This is a reflective paper that will give you the opportunity to understand and apply these leadership concepts to your own life and to create a plan for your continued development. In this paper, you will bring together your understanding of course concepts, the results of prior assignments, and further reflections on what you want to learn over the next era of your life. This paper should be 8-10 double-spaced pages.

This paper has three parts. The first is your analysis and presentation of the vital components affecting career success in organizations (3-4 pages). The purpose of this first part of the paper is to demonstrate your familiarity and fluency with the core concepts discussed in the course. Drawing on course materials, readings, discussions, activities and your own experiences, discuss the elements that you think are critical for women (or men) who are successful in their careers in organizations. Please integrate the course readings into this part of your paper.

Some examples of our Women in Organizations course elements that may resonate with you include Gender stereotypes, biases, and barriers in the workplace; Integrity and professionalism; Intersectional challenges and strategies; Organizational climate and culture; Leadership vision and skills; Communication and presentation skills; Executive presence and confidence; Win-win negotiating; Social capital development through networks, mentors, and sponsors; Career planning skills; Work-life integration and family support; and Emotional strength and resilience. There may be other elements that stood out for you, that are specifically relevant to your life and career. Think of this as creating your own road map for a successful, effective, and impactful career. Refer to the readings to help you define critical components and explain why you believe them to be essential for your success. Make sure you define the concepts and provide examples and consequences of them done well and not so well, from readings and your own experiences. End this section with a definition of what success means to you.

The second part of the paper is your individual assessment of how you “measure up” on the core elements that you identified in the first part and your vision of your best self in the future (2-3 pages). Draw on your own experiences as well as any 360 degree feedback or performance feedback you may have received previously from others to illustrate your strengths and capabilities, as well as areas for development, with regard to the core elements identified in the previous section. This assessment should include your strengths and gaps, your personal vision of your self in the future, and the impact you wish to have in the world.

The third part of the paper is your personalized development agenda (2-3 pages). This is a discussion of your development goals and objectives, and your strategy for working toward them. This agenda should detail (a) the skills and competencies, (b) the relational networks, and (c) the work and life opportunities or activities you need to develop in order to achieve success as you’ve defined it.

You will be graded on the thoroughness of your explanation and analysis of the essential concepts you have chosen and the thoughtfulness of your individual assessment and development agenda. You will not be evaluated on the concepts you have selected, nor your particular values, vision or development agenda, only on the level of analysis and reflection you bring to the discussion. Hopefully this will be an exciting assignment for you. Understanding and applying Women in Organizations concepts to your lives via an assessment of current capabilities, vision and values, and the creation of a personalized development agenda can be highly empowering. Think about the possibilities you face and the choices that you will make to create the kind of future you desire. More details on this assignment will be provided in class.