Assessing Leadership

Students in some leadership studies courses this year are getting a taste of consulting work and conducting free leadership assessments for local business and nonprofit organizations. 

“It’s a win-win for the students and the organizations,” says leadership studies professor Gill Robinson Hickman, an expert in organizational leadership whose research focuses on topics such as leadership in socially active businesses and transformational leadership.

“It’s an opportunity for some students enrolled in Theories and Models to start applying theory to practice before their internship and a chance for the organizations to have someone on the outside evaluate their practices and offer suggestions on how to improve,” says Hickman.   

Ten organizations received assessments this fall. Hickman is planning the same assignment for students this spring, but with different organizations.  

The assessment is “a great opportunity to get an unbiased opinion on our leadership style and strategies,” says Tom Jenkins, ’88, chief financial officer of Independent Container Line (ICL). “It’s also a good opportunity to give back to the University.”  

Better Housing Coalition, Daily Planet, Dominion Payroll Services, Fan Free Clinic, Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services, ICL, Menlo Innovations, Northstar Academy, Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence, University of Richmond Police Department and Valentine History Center are among the organizations receiving assessments this year.

“I match the students with the organizations and have them work in groups,” says Hickman. They survey employees at all levels of the organization, attend meetings and review the mission statement to analyze the leadership, leadership processes and culture of the organization.

They look at factors such as work and management structure, whether employees are encouraged to take leadership roles and if there is room for personal and professional development.

Each group presents a written report and an oral presentation to the organization they assess outlining leadership strengths and potential areas for improvement.

Rich Bodemann, director of administration for Fan Free Clinic, says he plans to discuss the findings with his management team to develop policies and procedures that address the issues the students outlined. “Several of the recommendations were as we suspected, but there was also new information which pointed out areas where we have room for improvement.”

Hickman is a proponent of using community-based learning in her classes. “The students get a lot out of going into the organizations and conducting interviews. It’s good hands-on training.”