MGN540 Coaching to Lead and Transform
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | MGN540 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | 36 credit points of completed study or MGN415 |
| Antirequisite(s): | GSN620, GSN621, GSZ620, GSZ621 |
| Equivalent(s): | MGN441 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,174 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,703 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,596 |
| International unit fee | $6,180 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | MGN540 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 36 credit points of completed study or MGN415 |
| Equivalent: | MGN441 |
| Anti-requisite: | GSN620, GSN621, GSZ620, GSZ621 |
| Coordinator: | Jannine Williams | jannine.williams@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This is a developmental level unit which supports students to understand how a coaching mindset and coach like approach can maximise the potential of individuals and teams to transform organisational workplaces. Leading with a coaching mindset transforms organisations by shifting leadership from control to collaboration, from performance management to growth enablement, and from compliance to commitment. It creates the conditions for individuals and teams to thrive in ways that are ethically grounded, emotionally intelligent, and strategically aligned. You will develop your coaching mindset and coaching skills by coaching and being coached by other students in class and between classes via coaching circles.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Develop a leader-coach mindset that fosters collaboration, growth, and opportunities to thrive within teams and organisational workplaces. [HO 2.1, TS 4.1]
- Critically assess leader-coach practice and evaluate its impact to facilitate individual potential and enable valued socially responsible organisational outcomes. [HO 2.2, TS 4.1, SE 5.2]
- Develop ethically grounded and emotionally intelligent approaches to build and apply a leader-coach practice relevant to complex organisational contexts. [SE 5.1]Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: SE (5.1)
Content
The unit supports students to develop a leader coach approach. Coaching frameworks examined in the unit are derived from best practice and current knowledge. Fundamental elements of a leader coach approach are developed. This is supported through an exploration of coaching principles, coaching skills, and coaching tools and techniques. Students will reflect on the development of their leader coach approach throughout the unit and this will inform their assessments.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.
Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
3.2 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.
Learning Approaches
The unit adopts an experiential 'action learning' approach. There will be content input from the lecturer, and applied in teaching activities through student engagement in coaching conversations and reflection on practice.
It is expected that students will operate as 'reflective practitioners', meaning that you will be encouraged to implement theory, frameworks and techniques in your coaching practice, to reflect on the outcomes and consider how coaching contributes to your professional development.
You are asked to prepare before each class by engaging with the relevant readings and activities to facilitate your coaching practice, in-depth conversations and learning in class. Preparation will enable you to gain the most from the activities, individual reflection and synthesis which contributes to developing depth of knowledge and understanding.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to the whole class
Assessment
Overview
You will complete two assessment items which are designed to assist you in developing knowledge and understanding of coaching theories and practices and to apply this knowledge to develop your coaching skills.
You will receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes; and demonstrate your learning.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Leader coach mindset
The assignment requires you to develop your leader coach mindset. A coaching mindset is the foundation that enables you to develop and effectively use the skills needed to be a leader coach who fosters collaboration, growth and opportunities for people to thrive.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.1), TS (4.1), SE (5.1)
Assessment: Leader coach skills portfolio
The assignment requires that you prepare a leader coach skills portfolio on the development and implementation of key coaching skills practiced through the semester. You will then record a leader coach coaching conversation with another student on the unit. You will critically evaluate your leader coach recorded conversation using professional body competencies and academic literature, integrating insights gained from Assessment 1 and your practice leader coach skills from across the semester.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), TS (4.1), SE (5.1, 5.2)
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resources will be provided on the unit Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Day, I. (2025) The coaching leader. Coaching skills for leading through complexity. Routledge.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with the learning and teaching activities in this unit.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
HO (2.1): Critical Analysis
Relates to: ULO1, Leader coach mindset
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
Relates to: ULO2, Leader coach skills portfolio
SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding
Relates to: ULO3, Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio
SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility
Relates to: ULO2, Leader coach skills portfolio
TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BN87 Master of Engineering Management
- Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering management problems to achieve research informed solutions
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio - Apply systematic approaches to plan, design, execute and manage an engineering management project
Relates to: ULO3 - Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly, presenting high level reports, arguments and justifications in oral, written and visual forms to professional and non-specialist audiences.
Relates to: Leader coach mindset - Organise and manage time, tasks and projects independently, and collaboratively demonstrating the values and principles that shape engineering management decision making and professional accountability .
Relates to: ULO3, Leader coach skills portfolio
BS11 Master of Business
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Leader coach skills portfolio - Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
Relates to: ULO1, Leader coach mindset - Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Relates to: ULO2, Leader coach skills portfolio - Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio
EN55 Master of Professional Engineering
- Apply advanced and specialist knowledge, concepts and practices in engineering design, analysis management and sustainability.
Relates to: Leader coach mindset - Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering problems to achieve research informed solutions.
Relates to: Leader coach skills portfolio - Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly, presenting high level reports, arguments and justifications in oral, written and visual forms to professional and non specialist audiences.
Relates to: Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Online
| Unit code: | MGN540 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 36 credit points of completed study or MGN415 |
| Equivalent: | MGN441 |
| Anti-requisite: | GSN620, GSN621, GSZ620, GSZ621 |
Overview
This is a developmental level unit which supports students to understand how a coaching mindset and coach like approach can maximise the potential of individuals and teams to transform organisational workplaces. Leading with a coaching mindset transforms organisations by shifting leadership from control to collaboration, from performance management to growth enablement, and from compliance to commitment. It creates the conditions for individuals and teams to thrive in ways that are ethically grounded, emotionally intelligent, and strategically aligned. You will develop your coaching mindset and coaching skills by coaching and being coached by other students in class and between classes via coaching circles.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Develop a leader-coach mindset that fosters collaboration, growth, and opportunities to thrive within teams and organisational workplaces. [HO 2.1, TS 4.1]
- Critically assess leader-coach practice and evaluate its impact to facilitate individual potential and enable valued socially responsible organisational outcomes. [HO 2.2, TS 4.1, SE 5.2]
- Develop ethically grounded and emotionally intelligent approaches to build and apply a leader-coach practice relevant to complex organisational contexts. [SE 5.1]Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: SE (5.1)
Content
The unit supports students to develop a leader coach approach. Coaching frameworks examined in the unit are derived from best practice and current knowledge. Fundamental elements of a leader coach approach are developed. This is supported through an exploration of coaching principles, coaching skills, and coaching tools and techniques. Students will reflect on the development of their leader coach approach throughout the unit and this will inform their assessments.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.
Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
3.2 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.
Learning Approaches
The unit adopts an experiential 'action learning' approach. There will be content input from the lecturer, and applied in teaching activities through student engagement in coaching conversations and reflection on practice.
It is expected that students will operate as 'reflective practitioners', meaning that you will be encouraged to implement theory, frameworks and techniques in your coaching practice, to reflect on the outcomes and consider how coaching contributes to your professional development.
You are asked to prepare before each class by engaging with the relevant readings and activities to facilitate your coaching practice, in-depth conversations and learning in class. Preparation will enable you to gain the most from the activities, individual reflection and synthesis which contributes to developing depth of knowledge and understanding.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to the whole class
Assessment
Overview
You will complete two assessment items which are designed to assist you in developing knowledge and understanding of coaching theories and practices and to apply this knowledge to develop your coaching skills.
You will receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes; and demonstrate your learning.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Leader coach mindset
The assignment requires you to develop your leader coach mindset. A coaching mindset is the foundation that enables you to develop and effectively use the skills needed to be a leader coach who fosters collaboration, growth and opportunities for people to thrive.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.1), TS (4.1), SE (5.1)
Assessment: Leader coach skills portfolio
The assignment requires that you prepare a leader coach skills portfolio on the development and implementation of key coaching skills practiced through the semester. You will then record a leader coach coaching conversation with another student on the unit. You will critically evaluate your leader coach recorded conversation using professional body competencies and academic literature, integrating insights gained from Assessment 1 and your practice leader coach skills from across the semester.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), TS (4.1), SE (5.1, 5.2)
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resources will be provided on the unit Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Day, I. (2025) The coaching leader. Coaching skills for leading through complexity. Routledge.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with the learning and teaching activities in this unit.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
HO (2.1): Critical Analysis
Relates to: ULO1, Leader coach mindset
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
Relates to: ULO2, Leader coach skills portfolio
SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding
Relates to: ULO3, Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio
SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility
Relates to: ULO2, Leader coach skills portfolio
TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BN87 Master of Engineering Management
- Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering management problems to achieve research informed solutions
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio - Apply systematic approaches to plan, design, execute and manage an engineering management project
Relates to: ULO3 - Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly, presenting high level reports, arguments and justifications in oral, written and visual forms to professional and non-specialist audiences.
Relates to: Leader coach mindset - Organise and manage time, tasks and projects independently, and collaboratively demonstrating the values and principles that shape engineering management decision making and professional accountability .
Relates to: ULO3, Leader coach skills portfolio
BS11 Master of Business
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Leader coach skills portfolio - Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
Relates to: ULO1, Leader coach mindset - Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Relates to: ULO2, Leader coach skills portfolio - Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio
EN55 Master of Professional Engineering
- Apply advanced and specialist knowledge, concepts and practices in engineering design, analysis management and sustainability.
Relates to: Leader coach mindset - Critically analyse and evaluate complex engineering problems to achieve research informed solutions.
Relates to: Leader coach skills portfolio - Communicate complex information effectively and succinctly, presenting high level reports, arguments and justifications in oral, written and visual forms to professional and non specialist audiences.
Relates to: Leader coach mindset, Leader coach skills portfolio