Write a three to five (3 – 5) page paper (1000 – 1200 words), not including the title and reference pages, describing coaching as a leadership skill and how it may contribute to organizational effectiveness that includes the following:

Assignment 1: Focus Paper

Write a three to five (3 – 5) page paper (1000 – 1200 words), not including the title and reference pages, describing coaching as a leadership skill and how it may contribute to organizational effectiveness that includes the following:

• Introduction to a specific organizational effectiveness goal you desire to achieve through coaching.
• Research on coaching and its contribution to motivation, productivity, and engagement as the foundational content.
• Analysis of the effective use of coaching to achieve your specific organizational effectiveness goal. Be sure to connect research to your analysis.
• Recommendations for increasing your personal coaching skills and techniques to improve your overall leadership effectiveness. Connecting research to your recommendations will make them stronger.
• Conclusion should summarize the primary points of the paper and bring forward a call to action.

The Assignment will be evaluated using the Focus Paper Rubric located in the course Grading Rubrics. Therefore, please ensure it is written with proper grammar, in APA format (including clear section headings), and includes at least three cited and referenced resources – at least one of which must be a peer reviewed (scholarly) journal article.

The overall point distribution for the Assignment will be as follows:

• 50% (50 points): Content, focus, use of research, and organization
• 30% (30 points): Analysis and critical thinking
• 20% (20 points): Writing style, grammar, APA format

Focus Paper Rubric

These papers are related to specific issues or cases, and will vary in length. In all cases, papers
must be well referenced and in APA format. The papers will be evaluated using the following
rubric.

At least 20% of a Focus Paper grade is related to composition that includes organization, writing
style, and mechanics. Often, composition issues also impact the grading of the assigned Focus
Paper topic content because composition impacts the effective presentation of your ideas and
material.

Grade Content, Focus, Use of Text/Research,
and Organization

Analysis and Critical
Thinking

Writing Style, Grammar, and APA
Format

% 50% 30% 20%

90-100% Response successfully answers the
Assignment question(s); thoroughly uses
the text and other literature. Includes a
strong thesis statement, introduction, and
conclusion. The main points of the paper
are developed clearly. All arguments are
supported well (no errors in logic) using
outside sources as assigned.

Sources are primarily academic journals,
with thoughtful use of web sources.
References are applied substantively to the
paper topic. Skillfully addresses counter-
arguments and does not ignore data
contradicting its claim. Refers to sources
both in-text and in the reference page.

Response exhibits strong
higher-order critical thinking
and analysis (e.g.,
evaluation). Paper shows
original thought.

Analysis includes proper
classifications,
explanations, comparisons,
and inferences.

Critical thinking includes
appropriate judgments,
conclusions, and
assessment based on
evaluation and synthesis of
information.

Grammatical skills are strong with
typically less than one error per page.
Correct use of APA when assigned.

Appropriate to the Assignment, fresh
(interesting to read), accurate, (no far-
fetched, unsupported comments),
precise (say what you mean), and
concise (not wordy).

Assignment is in 12-point font.
Narrative sections are double-spaced.
Assignment is free of serious errors;
grammar, punctuation, and spelling
help to clarify the meaning by following
accepted conventions.

80-89% Response answers the Assignment
question(s) with only minor digressions;
sufficiently uses the text and other
literature. Provides a good thesis
statement, introduction, and conclusion that
require some revision but that form a good
basis.

Develops the main points clearly.

Supports most arguments concretely (no
logical errors) using outside sources as
assigned.

Some sources are non-academic with over
reliance on web sources. References not
always clearly tied to development of ideas.
Does not ignore data contradicting its
claim, though the refutation may need
additional support. Refers to outside
sources in the text and reference page.

Response generally
exhibits higher-order critical
thinking and analysis (e.g.,
evaluation). Paper shows
some original thought.

Analysis includes adequate
classifications,
explanations, comparisons,
and inferences.

Critical thinking includes
adequate judgments,
conclusions and
assessment based on
evaluation and synthesis of
information.

Internally, each section has good
organization. Transitions found
between and within sections are
mostly clear and effective. Generally
appropriate to the Assignment,
accurate (no far-fetched, unsupported
claims), precise, and concise. Includes
a title page and reference page.

Assignment is in 12-point font.
Assignment contains some generally
minor grammatical and punctuation
errors. Few misspellings. Citations
generally follow APA guidelines
(perhaps one or two minor errors).

2 

70-79% Response answers the Assignment(s) with
some digression; sufficiently uses the text
and other literature. Provides a thesis
statement that needs revision. The
introduction and conclusion do not set up
or close the paper very effectively. Shows
too little original thought (strings of citations
that are not developed to support the
thesis).

Main points are adequately defined in only
some areas of the paper; points may be
over-emphasized or repeated. Some
arguments are supported with outside
research, but others may not be. Relies too
heavily on personal experience or one
source. The paper does not meet the
source requirements. Some obvious
counter-arguments are ignored or not well
refuted.

Response exhibits limited
higher-order critical thinking
and analysis (e.g.,
application of information).

Analysis includes limited
classifications,
explanations, comparisons,
and inferences.

Critical thinking includes
limited judgments,
conclusions, and
assessment based on
evaluation and synthesis of
information.

Sentences are occasionally wordy or
ambiguous; tone is too informal.
Grammatical skills are adequate with
no more than 2–3 errors per page. The
paper is not well organized. Sections
lack transitions, and several sentences
may be monotonous or confusing. The
overall structure of the Assignment is
not effective. Appropriate in places, but
elsewhere vague writing interferes with
the development and clarity of the
main points. Numerous grammatical
and punctuation errors. Misspellings
are more frequent, but they are the
sort spell checkers do not catch, such
as “effect/affect.” An attempt at APA
citation was made, but there are
multiple errors larger than a misplaced
period. Narrative sections are not
double-spaced.

60-69% Response answers the Assignment
question(s) but digresses significantly;
insufficiently uses the text and other
literature.

Response exhibits
simplistic or reductive
thinking and analysis but
does demonstrate
comprehension.

Sentences are generally wordy and/or
ambiguous; tone is too informal.
Grammatical skills are inadequate,
clarity and meaning are impaired,
typically 3–5 errors per page.
Inadequate use of APA format

0-59% Response insufficiently answers the
Assignment question(s); insufficiently uses
the text and other literature.

Response exhibits
simplistic or reductive
thinking and analysis and
demonstrates limited
knowledge on the subject
matter.

Sentences unclear enough to impair
meaning; tone is inappropriate and/or
inconsistent. Grammatical skills are
incompetent for college level; typically
6 or more errors per page.
Unacceptable use of APA format.