High Performance Leadership: Work-Life Balance Builds Marathon Runners

Title of Submission
UT M.B.A. High Performance
Leadership: Work-Life Balance
Builds Marathon Runners


Topic Area
Business Education or
Curriculum Development
Reports on Issues Related to Teaching
Education: Innovative Instruction


Keywords
Leadership; Innovative Teaching;
Work-Life Balance; M.B.A. Education


Name of Author
Dr. Velma E. McCuiston
Associate Professor
Management Department
Co-Director, TECO Energy Center for
Leadership
The University of Tampa



Mailing Address
P. O. Box 933
Ellenton, Florida 34222-0933


Phone
(813) 253-6221, Ext 3311


Fax
(941) 776-0795 = Fax


E-mail
vmccuiston@ut.edu
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UT M.B.A. High Performance Leadership:
Work-Life Balance Builds Marathon Runners
Submitted October 28, 2002
(Report on Innovative Instruction Techniques)


Abstract
The theme of the University of Tampa M.B.A. program is creating value through
strategic leadership. In support of the theme, the University of Tampa introduced
the M.B.A. High Performance Leadership workshop (HPL) in the fall semester,
2000. The five-session, Friday night, Saturday and Sunday time period was a
departure from the typical Monday through Thursday day or evening classes of
the M.B.A. program. The HPL was designed to be the major component of the
five-component Strategic Leadership Development Program. HPL involves a
cross disciplinary approach by involving faculty from the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences (CLAS) and John H. Sykes College of Business (COB), external
subject experts, and executives from the Tampa Bay business community. The
success of the HPL workshop is evident from the increased enrollment and the
consistently-high student evaluations.

Innovative Instruction Techniques Discussion
The discussion session involved an in-depth description of the following:
• Design of the UT Strategic Leadership Development Program
• Design of the High Performance Leadership Workshop
• Objectives
• Involvement of faculty and external subject experts
• Involvement of Tampa Bay business executives
• Overview of subject areas included in workshop
• Explanation of student projects
• Administration requirements
• Selection criteria for utilizing Kouzes & Posner theoretical base
• Reaction of students
• Impact on M.B.A. program and classes
• Monitoring of personal commitment plans


M.B.A. HPL Workshop Design
The pedagogical iterative approach of the M.B.A. HPL involves individual
assessment, rationale for inclusion of specified area, presentation of
achievement in specified area, strategies for improvement, and one-week
commitment plan for specified area. At the conclusion of the workshop, each
student creates a one-year commitment plan which includes at least two
commitments for change in both the wellness portion and the leadership
development portion. Students’ progress with their personal commitment plans

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is monitored and supported through a mentoring process involving community
corporate executives.

The topics included in the HPL workshop are as follows:
• Leadership: then and now
• Kouzes & Posner Exemplary Leadership
• Stress Management
• Conflict Management
• Wellness Wheel
• Psychological Well Being
• Nutrition
• Physical Wellness

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