College professor uses Harry Potter in leadership training

Harry Potter's journey isn't just one that shows how he comes to his power. It's about his coming of age as well but perhaps most centrally, it has to do with his development as a leader. We could write pages upon pages about how this manifests, from his role in the Golden Trio to his leadership of Dumbledore's Army. It's really a remarkable thing to observe and one college professor is highlighting that in his course.

What is Dr. Michael Urick teaching?

At Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Dr. Michael Urick is the dean of the Alex G. McKenna School of Business Economics and Government. It is there, says the college's news, that he "unleashes his academic superpowers." One of his courses studies heroes just like Harry Potter. This "professor of management and operational excellence is teaching a unique and popular course, 'Leadership for Jedi, Wizards and Superheroes." The full course name is a mouthful that not even the Weasley twins could say ten times fast, but it studies "Influence and Decision Making for the Common Good."

Urick is a published author and the article praises Dr. Urick who "seeks to make the topic accessible to everyone." He uses a theory of "ways leaders can gain influence over others in groups." The article mentions two non-wizarding examples of ways in which people can influence others (The Hobbit and Star Wars), but not how Dr. Urick uses Harry Potter.

Looking at what is described, "five bases of leadership...[being classified as] coercive power, reward power, legitimate power, referent power and expert power," I'd register an opinion on three Harry Potter characters. Coercive power, which "comes from one's ability to punish someone else for noncompliance," sounds quite a lot like the way in which Lord Voldemort holds his followers in a posiiton of terror. Referent power, where it "comes from being trusted or respected," seems to best fit Harry. Legitimate power, which "comes from a person's formal right to issue directives or commands," is clearly employed by Dumbledore.

If you're lucky enough to study at Saint Vincent College, this class seems to be a great opportunity. Dr. Urick asks at the end of each class, "What was meaningful to you? What did you learn about leadership today that you can apply tin the future in your own context?"