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Leadership

Gies College of Business, University of Illinois

In this course, you will develop and strengthen your capacity to lead and recognize leadership exhibited by others in your organization. The professional business skills related to leadership gained through this course will help you to succeed working in any organization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction & Module 1 - Managing the Organization

This module starts with a course introduction, then will introduce different types of decision-making processes and will highlight some common decision-making biases that can affect managers, including a number of ethical decision-making traps.

Project Initiation and Planning

In this module, you will learn about the life cycle of a project when using the traditional model for project management. Why is it called waterfall, and how does that dictate the process? The focus will be on the first state of the project life cycle, project initiation.

Leadership Fundamentals

This module starts by defining leadership, then introduces key components of effective leadership.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a deep dive into the fundamentals and applications of leadership, which is a highly desirable quality in various organizational settings

Offers a structured and comprehensive curriculum, covering key aspects of leadership, project management, and decision-making

Taught by professors from a reputable business school, ensuring the quality and credibility of the instruction

Delves into ethical decision-making, highlighting potential biases and traps, which is crucial for responsible leadership

Provides a foundation for both aspiring and current leaders, helping them enhance their leadership capabilities

May require prior knowledge or experience in business or management for optimal understanding and application

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Leadership with these activities:

Review: Leaders

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Review the beloved and groundbreaking book on leadership to gain a foundational understanding of leadership styles and characteristics, and identify ways to improve your own leadership abilities.

View Leaders on Amazon

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Read Chapters 1-3 to gain an overview of leadership and its importance.
Summarize the key concepts and takeaways from each chapter.
Identify and analyze examples of effective leadership in your own life or professional experience.

Leadership Peer Group

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Join or start a peer group specifically designed for aspiring leaders to share experiences, support each other's growth, and engage in collaborative learning.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

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Identify and connect with peers interested in leadership.
Set up regular meetings or virtual gatherings.
Share challenges, successes, and insights with the group.

Leadership Reflection Journal

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Regularly reflect on your leadership experiences and challenges, documenting your observations and insights to enhance your self-awareness and leadership growth.

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Set aside time for regular reflection.
Identify and describe a recent leadership situation you encountered.
Analyze your actions and the outcomes.
Identify areas for improvement and set goals for future growth.

Two other activities

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Attend Leadership Development Workshops

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Attend seminars and workshops specifically tailored to developing leadership skills and networking with professionals in the field.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

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Research and identify relevant workshops.
Register and attend the workshops.
Actively participate and engage with speakers and attendees.

Leadership Case Study Analysis

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Engage in a comprehensive analysis of a real-world leadership case study to examine the decision-making process, leadership styles, and outcomes in a practical context.

Browse courses on Project Management

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Identify and select an appropriate case study.
Research and gather relevant information about the case.
Analyze the case using relevant leadership theories and frameworks.
Develop and present your findings and recommendations.

Career center

Learners who complete Leadership will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, organize, and execute projects. They work with a team of project stakeholders to define project scope, develop project plans, and track project progress. This course's focus on leadership may prepare learners to more effectively lead teams and projects.

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General Manager

General Managers plan, organize, and direct the overall operations of an organization. They work with all departments to ensure that the organization is meeting its goals. This course's emphasis on leadership may equip learners with the skills they need to lead and manage an entire organization.

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Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) plan, organize, and direct the overall operations of an organization. They work with the board of directors and other top executives to set the organization's strategic direction. This course's focus on leadership may equip learners with some of the tools and skills they need to lead and manage an entire organization.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs plan, organize, and direct their own businesses. They work to develop and implement business plans, and to raise capital. This course's focus on leadership may aid learners in effectively leading their own businesses.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers plan, organize, and direct the sales department of an organization. They work to develop and implement sales strategies, and to motivate and manage sales teams. This course's focus on leadership may equip learners with the tools they need to lead and motivate their sales team.

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Nonprofit Executive Director

Nonprofit Executive Directors plan, organize, and direct the overall operations of a nonprofit organization. They work with the board of directors and other top executives to set the organization's strategic direction. This course's focus on leadership may equip learners with some of the tools and skills they need to lead and manage a nonprofit organization.

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Public Administrator

Public Administrators plan, organize, and direct the public administration department of a government agency. They work with elected officials and other top administrators to develop and implement public policy. This course's focus on leadership may equip learners with some of the tools and skills they need to lead and manage a public administration department.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with businesses to identify and solve business problems. They analyze business processes, collect and analyze data, and make recommendations for improvement. This course may lay the groundwork for learners to function well in a Business Analyst role, with its emphasis on business processes and decision-making.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants work with businesses to identify and solve business problems. They analyze business processes, collect and analyze data, and make recommendations for improvement. This course's focus on business processes and decision-making may provide learners with a useful foundation for this role.

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Financial Manager

Financial Managers plan, organize, and direct the financial department of an organization. They work to develop and implement financial plans, and to manage the organization's financial resources. This course's focus on leadership may equip learners with the skills they need to lead and manage the financial department.

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Organizational Development Manager

Organizational Development Managers plan, organize, and direct the organizational development department of an organization. They work to develop and implement organizational development plans, and to help the organization achieve its goals. This course's focus on leadership may aid learners in effectively leading and managing the organizational development department.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers plan, organize, and direct the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work to ensure that all departments are functioning efficiently and effectively, and that the organization is meeting its goals. This course may equip learners with an improved understanding of how to manage the various aspects of an organization, which could prove to be helpful in an Operations Manager role.

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Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Managers plan, organize, and direct the information technology department of an organization. They work to develop and implement information technology plans, and to manage the organization's information technology resources. This course's focus on leadership may aid learners in effectively leading and managing the information technology department.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers plan, organize, and direct the human resources department of an organization. They work to attract, hire, and develop employees, and to create a positive work environment. This course's focus on leadership may aid learners in effectively managing the human resources department and its employees.

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Marketing Director

Marketing Directors are responsible for developing and executing marketing plans that promote their company's products or services. They work with a team of marketing professionals to create and implement marketing campaigns, manage budgets, and track results. With the help of this course's focus on leadership, learners may get a better handle on how to manage people and projects in this fast-paced and demanding role.

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Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Leadership.

Introduction to Leadership

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Provides a comprehensive overview of leadership theories and practices, and it commonly used textbook in leadership courses. It offers a solid foundation for understanding the concepts and skills covered in the course.

Leadership

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

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Activities

Career center

Reading list

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