CCGL9079 Global Issues

Leadership and Influence in a Dynamic World

This course is under the thematic cluster(s) of:

  • Sustaining Cities, Cultures, and the Earth (SCCE)

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to help you achieve your potential as a leader and prepare you to serve and lead in a meaningful way. The starting assumption is that each of you is a leader.

The course will not be delivered as a traditional lecture. Rather, it is designed to be an ongoing discussion around exploring important leadership concepts, questions, and themes. The learning experience will be highly interactive, and it is expected that you will prepare for each class and regularly contribute to class/tutorial discussions. 

John Quincy Adams said that, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” I genuinely believe each of you is a leader. If you actively engage, this course will catalyze your leadership journey. And I desire to help you on your journey. 

It is highly encouraged that you join from our first class.

Course Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

  1. Explain how different leadership theories, approaches, and frameworks can be applied by leaders when confronting challenges and addressing global issues.
  2. Demonstrate how to develop and implement strategies for leading teams and organizations in an interconnected, multicultural world.
  3. Critically reflect on individual leadership practice and identify opportunities for growth and development as an emerging global leader.
  4. Demonstrate enhanced communication skills (across multiple literacies) necessary to influence others and build relationships with people from diverse cultures, especially considering technological advancement and trends.

Offer Semester and Day of Teaching

Course will be offered twice
Section 1 – First semester (Wed); Section 2 – Second semester (Wed)


Study Load

Activities Number of hours
Lectures 24
Tutorials 10
Reading / Self-study 40
Assessment: Journal 25
Assessment: Negotiations simulation 6
Assessment: Group project and presentation 20
Total: 125

Assessment: 100% coursework

Assessment Tasks Weighting
Lecture and tutorial participation 25
Individual student journal 35
Roleplay / Debate 10
Group project and presentation 30

Required Reading

Cases:

  • Fischer, W. A., & Chung, R. (2007). Learning to Lead in China: Michael Faye Goes to China. IMD.
  • George, B., Buhrman, R., & McLean, A. N. (2005). Martin Luther King, Jr: A Young Minister Confronts the Challenges of Montgomery. Harvard Business School.
  • George, B., Singh, S., & McLean, A. (2005). Narayana Murthy and compassionate capitalism. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Case. [406, p.15]
  • George, W., & Breitfelder, M. D. (2009). David Neeleman: Flight Path of a Servant Leader (A). SSRN.
  • Groysberg, B., & Bell, D. (2011). Rebecca S. Halstead: Steadfast Leadership. Harvard Business School Organizational Behavior Unit Case. [411-050]
  • Hoopes, J., Mohd Nor, L., & Yusof, M. (2018). How To Use Virtue in Business: Part A. Harvard Business Publishing.
  • Kanter, R. S., LaNasa, F. J., & Malone, A. J. (2015). Advanced Leadership Pathways: Paul Lee and Asian Americans Advancing Justice. Harvard Business Publishing Case. [316-040]
  • Korotov, K. (2013). Leadership styles. European School of Management and Technology.
  • Lee, D. S. (2021). Diversity in a Global Context: Making the Right Hire to Lead Asia. Asia Case Research Centre.
  • Lee, D. S. (2021). Leading the Marriott Way. Asia Case Research Centre.
  • Lee, D. S., & Lau, J. (2020). What is the Final Grade? Asia Case Research Centre.
  • Vuckovic, B., Talbot, R., & Spring, L. (2023). Moral Complexity in Leadership: Hubris and Humility “Dead Men’s Path,” by Chinua Achebe. Northwestern Kellogg School of Management.

Examples of Articles/Reference Readings (reference/background readings): 

  • Amar, S. (2023). Why everyone wins with more women in leadership. Forbes. From https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/02/07/why-everyone-wins-with-more-women-in-leadership/?sh=2a7e04093cdd
  • Bennis, W. G., & Thomas, R. J. (2002). Crucibles of Leadership. Harvard Business Review, 80(9), 39-45.
  • Bourke, J., Titus, A., & Espedido, A. (2020). The key to inclusive leadership. Harvard Business Review, 6, p.H05GLB.
  • Edmondson, A. C., & Lei, Z. (2014). Psychological Safety: The History, Renaissance, and Future of an Interpersonal Construct. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 1, 23-43.
  • Goleman, D. (2001). Leadership That Gets Results (Harvard Business Review Classics). Harvard Business Press.
  • Inc. Staff. (2024). 10 CEOs Share their stories about hard choices they’ve made—and how they did it. Inc. From https://www.inc.com/christine-lagorio/from-the-ground-up-sloomoo-institute-karen-robinovitz-sara-schiller-grief-as-startup-fuel.html
  • Kim, W. C., & Mauborgne, R. A. (1992). Parables of Leadership. Harvard Business Review, 70(5), 107-114.
  • McDonald, P. (2012). Confucian foundations to leadership: A study of Chinese business leaders across Greater China and South-East Asia. Asia Pacific Business Review, 18(4), 465-487.
  • Sparrowe, R. T. (2005). Authentic leadership and the narrative self. Leadership Quarterly, 16(3), 419-439.
  • Wah, S. S. (2010). Confucianism and Chinese leadership. Chinese Management Studies, 4(3), 280-285.

Book Selections (not all books are required but will serve as a basis for discussion in tutorial and assignments, so a selection have been excerpted here):

  • Badaracco, J. (2006). Questions of Character: Illuminating the Heart of Leadership Through Literature.
  • Christensen, C. M. (2012). How Will You Measure Your Life?.
  • Drucker, P. (2002). The Effective Executive.
  • George, B. (2007). True North.
  • Joly, H. (2021). The Heart of Business: Leadership Principles for the Next Era of Capitalism.
  • Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow.
  • Kidder, T. (2004). Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World.
  • Pausch, R. (2008). The Last Lecture.
  • Seelig, T. (2009). What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20: A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World.
  • Willink, J., & Babin, L. (2017). Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win.
  • Wood, J. (2007). Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur’s Odyssey to Educate the World’s Children.

Course Co-ordinator and Teacher(s)

Course Co-ordinator Contact
Professor David S. Lee
Faculty of Business and Economics (Accounting and Law)
Tel: 3917 1636
Email: dslee@hku.hk
Teacher(s) Contact
Professor David S. Lee
Faculty of Business and Economics (Accounting and Law)
Tel: 3917 1636
Email: dslee@hku.hk