There is a noticeable inconsistency between the official syllabus and the course

progression in reality. In order to minimize the confusion, I updated the syllabus,

and added relevant info.
Black: the official syllabus, unedited.
Light blue: refers to the TOPIC aspect of the lecture in question.
Greenish blue: refers to the DATE aspect of the lecture in question. Youll also find
here the correct lectures dates and topics, according to the actual video files.

PSYCHOLOGY 1508 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP

Spring 2006
M, W, (F), 11-noon
Sanders Theatre
Drawing on psychological research at the level of the individual, group, and organization,
the class focuses on leadership development as it applies to politics, business, social
enterprise, and education. Topics include goal setting, ethics, story telling, charisma,
systems thinking, and crucible experiences.
Instructor: Tal Ben-Shahar
Email: ben@fas.harvard.edu

Head TF: Shawn Achor

Email: achor@fas.harvard.edu
Office hours by appointment
***
Tentative Schedule

February 1:
consistent)
February 1 [file 1]

Introduction topic covered here (syllabus info and file info are
Introduction

February 6:
Janusian Thinking I (brief overview of the leadership literature)
topic covered here (syllabus info and file info are consistent)
February 6 [file 2]
Janusian Thinking I (brief overview of the leadership literature)
February 8:
Janusian Thinking II (from either-or to and) topic covered
here (syllabus info and file info are consistent)
February 8 [file 3]
Janusian Thinking II (from either-or to and)
February 13:
Leadership Coaching I (Guest lecturer: Dr. Dannielle Kennedy)
topic covered here (syllabus info and file info are consistent)
February 13 [file 4]
Leadership Coaching I (Guest lecturer - Dr. Dannielle Kennedy)
February 15:
Leadership Coaching II (Appreciative Inquiry) topic covered
here (syllabus info and file info are consistent)
February 15 [file 5]
Leadership Coaching II (Appreciative Inquiry)

February 20:

No Class (Presidents Dayhonoring our leaders)

February 22:
Leadership Cultivation I (know thyself and be thyself) topic
covered here (syllabus info and file info are consistent)
February 22 [file 6]
Leadership Cultivation I (know thyself and be thyself)
February 24:
Leadership Cultivation II (authenticity and strengths) - topic
covered on February 27 [file 7]
February 24 No video from this date - lecture canceled (see file 6, in: 00:02:00)
February 27:
March 8 [file 9]
February 27 [file 7]

From Vision to Goals I (the voice of calling) - topic covered on

Leadership Cultivation II (authenticity and strengths)

March 1:
From Vision to Goals II (effective communication) - topic covered
on March 13. [file 11]
March 1 [file 8]
Leadership Cultivation (Guest lecturer - Scott Snook)
March 3:
Young Presidents Organization (Guest lecturer: Dick Simon) topic was not covered in the videos
March 3 No video from this date - lecture canceled (see file 6, in: 00:02:27)
March 6:
ReflAction (taking our time) - topic wasnt covered in the videos,
couldnt find any explanation for its absence
March 6 No video from this date - couldnt find any explanation for its
absence
March 8:
Crucibles (the school of hard knocks) - topic wasnt covered in the
videos, couldnt find any explanation for its absence
March 8 [file 9]
From Vision to Goals I (the voice of calling)
March 10:
Mary Follet (Guest lecturer: Prof. Dafna Eylon) topic covered
here (syllabus info and file info are consistent)
March 10 [file 10]
Mary Follet (Guest lecturer - Prof. Dafna Eylon)
March 13:
Leaders Create their Environment I (the organizational context) topic covered on March 15 [file 12]
March 13 [file 11]
From Vision to Goals II (effective communication)
March 15:
Leaders Create their Environment II (embodying leadership) topic covered on April 10 [file 15]
March 15 [file 12]
Leaders Create their Environment I (the organizational context)
March 20:

Midterm Exam

March 22:

Review and questions

SPRING BREAK

April 3:
The Ethics of Power (lecture by Shawn Achor) - topic
wasnt covered in the videos, couldnt find any explanation for its absence
April 3 [file 13]
Ethics pays (the moral is the practical) [lecture by Shawn Achor]

April 5:
Bad Leadership (Guest lecturer: Barbara Kellerman) topic
covered here (syllabus info and file info are consistent)
April 5 [file 14]
Bad Leadership (Guest lecturer - Barbara Kellerman)
April 7:
April 3 [file 13]
April 7 absence

Ethics pays (the moral is the practical) - topic covered on

No video from this date - couldnt find any explanation for its

April 10:
Moral Leadership (choosing between right and right) - topic
covered on April 24 [file 20]
April 10 [file 15]
Leaders Create their Environment II (embodying leadership)
April 12:
Charisma (lecture by Shawn Achor) topic covered here (syllabus
info and file info are consistent)
April 12 [file 16]
Charisma (lecture by Shawn Achor)
April 17:
The leader as teacher (on creating a learning organization) - topic
wasnt covered in the videos, couldnt find any explanation for its absence
April 17 [file 17]
Peak Performance (Guest lecturer - Tony Schwartz)
April 19:
Teach for America (Guest lecturer: Wendy Kopp) topic covered
here (syllabus info and file info are consistent)
April 19 [file 18]
Teach for America (Guest lecturer - Wendy Kopp)
April 21* [file 19]
Fighting Slavery (Guest Lecturer - Jesse Sage) [*thats right,
April 21 was not listed on the syllabus]
April 24:
Systems Thinking I (zooming out to the full picture) - topic wasnt
covered in the videos, couldnt find any explanation for its absence
April 24 [file 20]
Moral Leadership (choosing between right and right)
April 26:
Systems Thinking II (the language of leadership) - topic wasnt
covered in the videos, couldnt find any explanation for its absence
April 26 [file 21]
Theory for Practice: Positive Psychology and Leadership (Guest
Lecturer - James Pawelski)
April 28:
April 21 [file 19]
April 28 [file 22]

Fighting Slavery (Guest Lecturer: Jesse Sage) - topic covered on

Mindfulness as A Way of Being (Guest Lecturer - Ellen Langer)

May 1:
Lets talk business (Guest: Seth Klarman) topic covered here
(syllabus info and file info are consistent)
May 1 [file 23]
Lets talk business (Guest - Seth Klarman)
May 3:
consistent)
May 3 [file 24]

Final Words topic covered here (syllabus info and file info are
Final Words

GRADING:
20% Section
20% Response papers
25% Midterm
35% Final Exam

Response Papers. On most weeks, you will be required to hand in a response paper,
between 1 and 3 pages long. You will receive the question/topic each Wednesday by
5pm. Send in your response, pasted in the email, to your TF by 9pm on Sunday. The
response papers are graded pass/failif you hand it in, you pass.
Peer Coaching Groups. Every student will be a member of a 3-4 student coaching group
that will meet weekly for approximately 90 minutes. The meeting can take place over a
meal in one of the dining halls, though students should try to find a relatively quiet spot
(i.e. Sunday brunch may not be the best time...)
Sections. Sections form an integral part of the class. Beyond the opportunity to better
understand ideas from lectures/readings, sections will include exercises that apply the key
concepts from the course. Because sections are being developed as groups, there will be
no switching sections or attending sections other than your own once the semester and
sections are underway.
All required readings will be available on the course website.