This week’s assignment involves conducting an interview with either a senior HR executive or a manager with HR responsibility. Some students in the past have struggled with this assignment- please don't. The intent of this writing assignment is to simply expose you to outside HR subject matter expert (SME) thinking – nothing more. I'm not looking for a brilliant Week 2 paper as much as I'm looking for your ability to incorporate what we're reading and learning about this week in the virtual classroom, reflecting those learning issues in your interview, and then providing a summary of that interview. When deciding what to ask, let me suggest that you ask no more than 3-5 questions – your choice. Make this a fun exercise.

Using the organization you selected in week 1, you will analyze how leadership development and models, skills and traits, emotional intelligence, and influence impact organizational behaviors and effectiveness. To write this paper, conduct an interview with either a senior HR executive or a manager with HR responsibility. The person you interview must be able to answer questions about the leadership approaches that are used within his/her organization and how these approaches impact HR functions. You will also need to ask how organizational leaders, including yourself, could better partner with HR and how HR could better partner with organizational leaders to impact organizational behaviors and effectiveness through leadership development. Use what you learn from your discussion to make recommendations for improvement. You should have a clear recommendation heading. Be sure to use your references from this week to guide your interview and focus your paper on leadership in the organization.

Here are some recommended questions you might want to consider asking during your interview. Strictly your call …

* Can you tell me how having an understanding or this organization's traditions, values and culture has helped you as an HR specialist?
* How do you help execute and enforce organizational policies and procedures while concurrently earning the trust and confidence of employees?
* What are some ways that you can quantify the value-added resources that HR brings to the organizational table?
* What HR practices have best shaped the culture of this organization?
* What are some examples of vertical and horizontal alignment practices within the organization?

Write a four-to-five page (NOT MORE please – choose your thoughts carefully), APA style paper that presents your analysis of the organization. Use interview findings, readings, and your research to write the paper. It should include a title page, abstract, and reference page (not included in page count). Feel free to copy my example paper format, attached. Use interview findings, readings, and your research to write the paper. It should include a title page, abstract, and reference page (not included in page count). Upload your completed paper to the assignments area. This deliverable will help you to prepare for your final course project.