Harnessing the Potential of Systems Approach: Deploying Classroom as Organization in Leadership Education

Classroom as Organization (CAO) is an experiential methodology that recognizes the class as a system, enabling students to engage with content while practicing leadership behaviors and strategies. CAO builds leadership capabilities through which students engage in a complex systems approach as they address leadership issues in a real-world context. This article provides an overview of CAO in leadership education as it aligns with a systems approach in its delivery and content. The authors will provide examples of different CAO structures and purposes in their own leadership classrooms to illustrate the pedagogical method in real life contexts. Finally, the authors will present a list of considerations for leadership educators who are new to using CAO in the leadership education classroom.