"New Leadership" Psychology (E)
Niveau
Master
Learning outcomes of the courses/module
The participants:
• understand leadership as a complex, socio-psychological, and context-dependent process.
• analyze leadership phenomena at the individual, group, and organizational levels.
• critically and evidence-based evaluate classical and modern leadership theories.
• apply key psychological mechanisms (motivation, identity, trust) to leadership situations in a targeted way.
• reflect on their own leadership role and develop a well-founded leadership identity.
• shape leadership in dynamic, digital, and uncertain contexts.
• develop evidence-based approaches to improve leadership and collaboration in organizations.
• understand leadership as a complex, socio-psychological, and context-dependent process.
• analyze leadership phenomena at the individual, group, and organizational levels.
• critically and evidence-based evaluate classical and modern leadership theories.
• apply key psychological mechanisms (motivation, identity, trust) to leadership situations in a targeted way.
• reflect on their own leadership role and develop a well-founded leadership identity.
• shape leadership in dynamic, digital, and uncertain contexts.
• develop evidence-based approaches to improve leadership and collaboration in organizations.
Prerequisites for the course
None
Course content
• Evolution of Leadership Concepts (from classical trait and behavioral approaches to relational and contextual perspectives)
• Leadership as a Social Influence Process (role of context, culture, and organizational conditions)
• Identity-Based Leadership (social identity; self-categorization; leadership as representation of collective interests)
• Leadership and Followership (importance of followership; shared leadership; group processes)
• Motivation and Meaning in Leadership (intrinsic motivation; purpose; psychological safety)
• Trust, Fairness, and Organizational Justice as foundations of effective leadership
• Emotions and Leadership (emotional dynamics; affect regulation; emotional contagion)
• Power, Influence, and Legitimacy in Organizations
• Leadership in Change Processes (transformation; innovation; resistance and change processes)
• Leadership in Digital, Hybrid, and Uncertain Work Contexts
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Intercultural Leadership
• Self-Leadership and Development of Leadership Competencies (reflection; mindsets; leadership development)
• Evidence-Based Leadership (measurement of leadership; scientifically grounded interventions)
• Transfer to Practice (case studies; simulations; application to organizational challenges)
• Leadership as a Social Influence Process (role of context, culture, and organizational conditions)
• Identity-Based Leadership (social identity; self-categorization; leadership as representation of collective interests)
• Leadership and Followership (importance of followership; shared leadership; group processes)
• Motivation and Meaning in Leadership (intrinsic motivation; purpose; psychological safety)
• Trust, Fairness, and Organizational Justice as foundations of effective leadership
• Emotions and Leadership (emotional dynamics; affect regulation; emotional contagion)
• Power, Influence, and Legitimacy in Organizations
• Leadership in Change Processes (transformation; innovation; resistance and change processes)
• Leadership in Digital, Hybrid, and Uncertain Work Contexts
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Intercultural Leadership
• Self-Leadership and Development of Leadership Competencies (reflection; mindsets; leadership development)
• Evidence-Based Leadership (measurement of leadership; scientifically grounded interventions)
• Transfer to Practice (case studies; simulations; application to organizational challenges)
Recommended specialist literature
• Haslam, A. S., Reicher, S. D., & Platow, M. J. (2026). The new psychology of leadership: Identity, influence and power. Abingdon, OX: Routledge.
• Helmold, M., Yilmaz, A. K., Dathe, T., Martensen, M., Horsley, S., Cvetkoska, V., Fricke, S., & Neuhold, N. (2026). New Leadership: Innovative, lean and agile leadership concepts and tools for organizational excellence and outperformance. Singapore: World Scientifice.
• Sczygiel, C. (2021). Psychologie und Leadership: Direkt anwendbares Wissen für die Führungs- und Personalarbeit. Freiburg: Haufe-Lexware.
• Titzmann, O. (2023). New Leadership: Menschen führen heißt Menschen stärken. Berlin: Springer.
• Helmold, M., Yilmaz, A. K., Dathe, T., Martensen, M., Horsley, S., Cvetkoska, V., Fricke, S., & Neuhold, N. (2026). New Leadership: Innovative, lean and agile leadership concepts and tools for organizational excellence and outperformance. Singapore: World Scientifice.
• Sczygiel, C. (2021). Psychologie und Leadership: Direkt anwendbares Wissen für die Führungs- und Personalarbeit. Freiburg: Haufe-Lexware.
• Titzmann, O. (2023). New Leadership: Menschen führen heißt Menschen stärken. Berlin: Springer.
Assessment methods and criteria
Exam
Presentation
Presentation
Language
English
Number of ECTS credits awarded
6
Semester hours per week
Planned teaching and learning method
The course is based on an e-learning concept that incorporates a didactically aligned combination of online and in-person phases. During the online phases, an inductive learning approach is applied, fostering the independent acquisition of knowledge and the completion of tasks. The in-person phases follow a deductive approach, in which learning processes are guided and deepened, and content is systematically delivered through lectures as well as practical examples.
Semester/trimester in which the course/module is offered
3