Course coordinator
Dr Justin Brienza
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
The concept of leadership is now widely understood neither as charismatic nor transactional. Instead authentic leaders who can transform organisations are desired by organisations as diverse as the armed forces and medical practice. Effective leaders need to be able to create missions and implement strategies that respond to longer term sustainability of the organisation as well as the society in which it operates and, ultimately, the very earth from which we sustain life. This course asks participants to continually reflect on their leadership capability in terms of wisdom principles of leadership that evolve throughout the course.
This course will provide you with a broad coverage of key issues related to leadership providing you with useful insights into the nature of wise leadership in a contemporary setting. The course will focus on helping you to develop new understandings of your own strengths and weaknesses as a wise leader. More importantly, building on your new knowledge, insights and understandings, through practice you will also improve your capacity to wisely lead and make a difference in the workplace. What you can hope to take away from this course is a realistic view of yourself as a leader, and of how and why organisations can lead and be led wisely.
Sustainable Development Goals - UQ Business School is a proud supporter and Advanced Signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME). As part of the largest global collaboration between business schools and the UN, the school emphasises its role in empowering students to drive societal transformation through the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs highlight that a thriving economy relies on a healthy environment, aiming to balance economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection for a sustainable future.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Before attempting this course, students are advised that it is important to complete the appropriate prerequisite course(s) listed on the front of this course profile. No responsibility will be accepted by the School of Business, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law or The University of Queensland for poor student performance occurring in courses where the appropriate prerequisite(s) has/have not been completed, for any reason whatsoever.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
MGTS7707
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Justin Brienza
Tutor
Ms Zhenxin Yan
Facilitator
Ms Zhenxin Yan
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full Name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide a broad coverage of key issuesﾠrelated to leading organisations in contemporary settings,ﾠproviding students with useful insights into the nature of wise leadership. Importantly, the course will focus on helping students toﾠdevelop new understandings of their own strengths and weaknesses as wise leaders. Building on their new knowledge, insights and understandings, students will also develop new managerial skills.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe how organisational learning and management practices relate to and enhance wise leadership.
LO2.
Analyse the context which has made developing and applying wisdom a prime imperative in contemporary society and organisations.
LO3.
Describe your understanding of the role and significance of wisdom as it related to various leadership theories.
LO4.
Work with teams to critically explore your own wise behaviour as a leader or follower.
LO5.
Gain an appreciation for your capacity to develop in wisdom, not only for your own wellbeing and success, but for the wellbeing and success of your family, friends, colleagues, followers, organisations, and society at large.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation, Project |
Wise Leadership Social Entrepreneurship Initiative
|
35% |
Practice Presentation (5%) 29/04/2025 - 1/05/2025 Presentation (30%) 20/05/2025 - 29/05/2025
The Practice Presentation will be during your assigned tutorial in week 9. The Final Presentation will be during your assigned tutorial session in Week 12 or 13. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique | Preparing Your Path Ahead to Wise Leadership | 30% |
Mind Map Due Before Your Tutorial Week 2 Tue - Week 11 Thu Final Summary Report Due 2:00pm - 30/05/2025
**Individual mind maps due each week before lecture (Weeks 2 - 11 only)** Final Summary Report due Week 13 at 2:00pm (no mind map due on Week 12 or 13) |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
35% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Wise Leadership Social Entrepreneurship Initiative
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation, Project
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
Practice Presentation (5%) 29/04/2025 - 1/05/2025
Presentation (30%) 20/05/2025 - 29/05/2025
The Practice Presentation will be during your assigned tutorial in week 9.
The Final Presentation will be during your assigned tutorial session in Week 12 or 13.
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L05
Task description
Creating a positive impact on society - contributing to the greater good - is most important outcome of wise leadership.
This assignment is an opportunity to practice social entrepreneurship to create such a positive impact as informal, emergent leaders and wise influencers. Informal, emergent leaders and wise influencers are increasingly valued and invited to speak at conferences, professional associations, businesses, and youth groups interested in improving society. As such, this is an opportunity to practice designing your path to becoming a wise influencer for your community and society.
As a group, you will work together **every week in tutorials** to examine challenges or problems in your community (the university; your home community; Brisbane area). You will decide on a specific challenge and design an initiative to address or solve the problem. Your tutors will work with you as mentors.
In Week 9 you will do a practice presentation to another group in your tutorial and they will do a practice with you. You will give each other feedback on how to improve the project / presentation (5% of final grade)
You will present your final proposal to class (30% of final grade). Presentation dates will be randomised for Week 11 or Week 12.
Note that your individual grades for this assignment will be calculated partly from your group members' peer review scores on the quality of your contribution to the teamwork (e.g., ideas, organisation, emergent leadership).
We work together on your group assignments in tutorials, therefore attendance in class is necessary.
Detailed instructions will be provided on Blackboard and in class; and the process will be explained and workshopped in class.
The presentation will be recorded for marking purposes per UQ Policy.
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Extensions or deferrals are not available for this in-class presentation.
Late submission
Late submissions are not accepted for in-class presentations. Failure to present at the scheduled time will result in a mark of zero.
Preparing Your Path Ahead to Wise Leadership
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Mind Map Due Before Your Tutorial Week 2 Tue - Week 11 Thu
Final Summary Report Due 2:00pm - 30/05/2025
**Individual mind maps due each week before lecture (Weeks 2 - 11 only)**
Final Summary Report due Week 13 at 2:00pm (no mind map due on Week 12 or 13)
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05
Task description
The Preparing Your Path Ahead to Wise Leadership.
This report is an individually written game plan for how you will integrate the course learnings into practice as you progress as a leader. Each week (Week 2 to Week 11 only) you will submit a mind-map of the readings for that week, along with diary entry about how the week's readings apply in your own life and your career goals: examine your own strengths and weaknesses and anticipate challenges in your journey toward your future goals. At the end of semester you will submit a summary report in which you plan your future as a wise leader.
PART A: Mind maps and reflections on the readings. Submit before lecture each week. (16% of total grade)
Each week before class, you will complete and submit (on Blackboard) a 1-page Mind Map and Reflection based on the readings for that week. You will bring them to class for discussing them as personal growth areas.
These Mind Maps will be attached as Appendix in your final assessment, and you will refer to them in your plan of development toward becoming a wise leader.
Your weekly submissions will be checked and graded: There will be 10 weeks in total, but we build in room for error (e.g., if you are sick one week) by counting only your top 8 submissions (submit before lecture each week).
We will instruct you on the process in the first two weeks of class, and will work with you each week to understand how to integrate your Mind Maps into your growth plan.
PART B: Summary Report, including mind maps attached as Appendix. Submit on Blackboard by the due date. (14% of total grade)
1,000 - 1,500 words. Self-reflection and planning assignment. All instructions posted on Blackboard.
Note:
- Express yourself clearly with appropriate academic writing, drawing on and citing references covered in the course in proper APA style.
- The grading rubric is available on Blackboard. Further details will be provided over the course of the semester.
- Submission: via Blackboard
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
Submission guidelines
Blackboard link to Turnitin
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Extension only applies to Final Summary Report. Mind Maps best 8 out of 10. A missed Mind Map Submission will be given a mark of zero.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
This exam will evaluate your ability to apply the principles of wise leadership, contrasting wisdom with foolishness in real-world scenarios.
You will be presented with vignettes that highlight leadership challenges and decision-making dilemmas.
Each vignette will outline a particular situation that requires your analysis and strategic response.
Each question will require a short essay response.
More details will be provided on the course Blackboard site.
AI Statement:
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of handwritten notes, double sided, is permitted An unmarked paper bilingual dictionary |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Lecture |
Introduction & Welcome Required readings: Gluck & Weststrate (2022; Personality and Social Psychological Review) NOTE: In this lecture, teaching staff will introduce themselves and we will review the structure of the course. We will describe the steps you can take to most efficiently and enjoyably achieve your best performance in the course. Learning outcomes: L05 |
Week 2 |
Lecture |
What is Wisdom? Required Readings: Zhu, Rooney, & Phillips (2016; Academy of Management Learning and Education) Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1 - Delphi Part 1 |
|
Week 3 |
Lecture |
What is Wise Leadership? Required Readings: Grossmann & Brienza (2018; Journal of Intelligence) Nonaka & Takeuchi (2011; Harvard Business Review) Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2 - Delphi Part 2 Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05 |
|
Week 4 |
Lecture |
Wise Leadership in Practice Required Readings: Sternberg (2008; Leadership Quarterly) Collins (2001; Harvard Business Review) Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3 - Design Thinking Idea Generation for Group Project Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05 |
|
Week 5 |
Lecture |
Obstacles to Wise Leadership—Part 1: The Threat of Foolishness: Egocentrism and Overconfidence The Threat of Foolishness and Overconfidence Required Readings: Sternberg (2018; Research in Human Development) Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4 - Design Thinking Continued Idea Generation for Group Project Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05 |
|
Week 6 |
Lecture |
Obstacles to Wise Leadership—Part 2: The Threat of Blindspots: Illusion, Bias, & Bullshit Illusion, Bias, & Bullshit Required Readings: Stanovich, West, & Toplak (2013; Current Directions in Psychological Science) Christensen, Karreman, & Rasche (2019; Organization Studies) Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5: Project Development Prepare for Week 9 round table discussion, mentorship and feedback Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05 |
|
Week 7 |
Lecture |
Practicing Wisdom—Part 1: Humility and Seeing Through Illusion (know thy blindspots) Gaining Self-awareness, Intellectual Humility, and Authenticity (know thyself) Required Readings: Morris, Brotheridge, & Urbanski (2005; Human Relations) McKee & Barber (1999; International Journal of Aging and Human Development) Eurich (2018; Harvard Business Review) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6 - Project Development Prepare for Week 9 round table discussion, mentorship and feedback. Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05 |
|
Week 8 |
Lecture |
Practicing Wisdom—Part 2: Developing Self-Awareness and Authenticity (know thyself) Wise Reasoning: A Simple Step Toward Less Bias, More Balance, and Better Cooperation Required Reading (you can choose one--they present similar information): Oakes, Brienza, Elnakouri, & Grossmann (2018; Handbook of Wisdom) ***OR*** Grossmann, Weststrate, Ardelt, Brienza et al.(2020; Psychological Inquiry) Learning outcomes: L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7 - Project Development Prepare for Week 9 round table discussion, mentorship and feedback. Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05 |
|
Mid-sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 9 |
Lecture |
Practicing Wisdom—Part 3: Wise Reasoning: A Simple Step Toward Wisdom Wise Reasoning--Reducing Bias and Improving Cooperation Required Readings: An important aspect of wisdom and wise leadership is seeking truth. Seeking truth includes an ability to understand and interpret scientific studies. This week's readings include scientific studies on "wise reasoning" that report statistics. Your instructor is an expert in this area, so use this opportunity to practice reading and interpreting scientific reports; come to class with questions about the studies and what they mean for developing wisdom and wise leadership. Brienza, Kung, & Chao (2021; Nature Communications) Grossmann, Brienza, & Bobocel (2017; Nature Human Behaviour) Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8 - Present Group Ideas Formulate mentorship feedback to other groups (submit by Monday the following week) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 10 |
Lecture |
Practicing Wisdom—Part 4: Wise Reasoning: Reducing Bias and Improving Cooperation Leading Through Crises and Organisational Bullshit Required Readings: Collins, Dasborough, Gregg, Xu, Deen, He, & Restubog (2022; The Leadership Quarterly) McCarthy, Hannah, Pitt, & McCarthy (2020; Business Horizons) Learning outcomes: L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 9 - Project Adjustment and Refinement Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
|
Week 11 |
Lecture |
Organisational Challenges to Wise Leadership: Leadership in Crises and Navigating Organisational Bullshit Ethics and the Greater Good Required Readings: McKenna, Rooney, & Boal (2009; Leadership Quarterly) Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 10 - Project Adjustment and Refinement Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
|
Week 12 |
Lecture |
Sticking to Wisdom: Resilience and the Constant Challenge of Toxicity Courage, Resilience, and Dealing with Toxicity Required Readings: Coutu (2002; Harvard Business Review) Padilla et al. (2007). The Leadership Quarterly. Learning outcomes: L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 11 - Group Project Presentation Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Week 13 |
Lecture |
Course Wrap-Up, Q&A for Final Assignment |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 12 - Group Project Presentation Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Additional learning activity information
Sustainable Development Goal Integration:
This course integrates the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through course content and assessment.
Goal 3: Good health and well-being
Goal 4: Quality education
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.