Active learning ideas
Leadership and motivation are the 'people' side of management. Students examine different leadership styles, autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire, and evaluate when each is most appropriate. They also explore key motivational theories, including Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y, to understand what drives employees to perform at their best.
Activity 01
Groups are given a simple task (e.g., building a tower from paper). For each round, a different student acts as the leader using a specific style (Autocratic, Democratic, or Laissez-faire). Afterwards, the group reflects on which style was most effective and how it felt to work under each.
What are the different styles of leadership?
Activity 02
Students are given a list of workplace perks (e.g., free coffee, health insurance, a promotion, a 'thank you' note). They must work in groups to categorise these perks into the five levels of Maslow's Hierarchy and explain their reasoning.
How does Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs apply to the workplace?
Activity 03
Divide the class into 'Managers of the Past' (Theory X) and 'Managers of the Future' (Theory Y). They must debate which approach is more effective for a modern Irish tech company, using evidence from the theories to back up their arguments.
What is the impact of McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y on management?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Autocratic leadership is always bad.
Autocratic leadership is actually very effective in emergencies or with unskilled workers who need clear direction. Active learning scenarios involving a 'crisis' help students see that the 'best' leadership style depends entirely on the situation.
Money is the only thing that motivates people.
According to Maslow and Herzberg, money is often just a 'basic' need or a 'hygiene factor'. Once a certain level is reached, things like recognition and personal growth become more important. Peer discussions about what motivates students in school can help surface these non-financial drivers.
Methods used in this brief
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