The Neuroscience of Leading Transformational Organizations from Coursera

Organizations need to stay on the cutting edge of human performance to remain relevant, now and in the future. The way we've led the people in our organizations in the past is no longer sufficient for success. The landscape of human capital is changing, and a more human-centered approach is warranted to attract and keep the most talented workers.

What if our organizations could better harness creativity and innovation? What if we could navigate uncertainty and change with courage and confidence to lower stress and fear? How would creating a flow inducing workforce improve productivity and enhance engagement? How can neuroscience help us better understand gender and diversity challenges?

This course is part of the "Neuroscience of Leadership" specialization, which examines leadership techniques through the lens of social cognitive neuroscience and psychology. Utilizing the latest research, we develop a leadership practice based on the foundation of neuroscience.

The focus of this course is leading transformational organizations that are set up to excel, now and in the future. In this course you’ll come aways with tool and techniques to navigate change and uncertainty better, foster a diverse workforce, be more innovative and creative, nurture a flow inducing workplace and discover new ways to use neuroscience in business.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

What's inside

Syllabus

Facilitating Change and Managing Uncertainty

Our brains are typically not comfortable with uncertainty and change. These states always have the potential to signal danger or risk. We fear that which we cannot see. In this module, you will come away with an understanding of how the brain approaches these states and with tools to better manage our uneasiness with them.

Gender and Diversity

Empirical evidence supports the idea that diverse teams, on average, perform better than those lacking diversity. Teams that are diverse, have varying viewpoints that are beneficial to the team. In this module, you'll understand how the brain can work against us and how we can better engage with those who are different from us.

Innovation and Creativity

When we are children, we are all creative. Arts and crafts is often our favorite activity. Somewhere along the way, we are taught that we must not focus on such childish behaviors and focus instead on hard skills. Our ability to be creative and innovative still exists, even if dormant. In this module you will learn how to tap back into these abilities with the help of neuroscience.

Group Flow State

Group flow state, also known as "collective flow" or "shared flow," occurs when a group of individuals engage in a collaborative activity and experience a heightened state of focus, motivation, and enjoyment. In this module, we will examine the neuroscience and how to nurture it in your teams and organizations.

The Neuroscience of Business

In my estimation, the 2020's are what I am calling the "NeuroDecade." Applying nueroscience to leadership, business, strategy, marketing and even parenting is becoming more common. Where we go from here is largely up to you and your organizations. In this module we take a look at how neuroscience is being applied to other areas of business beyond leadership. The future is bright!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Projects leaders who need to lead organizations now and in the future

Leadership who want to stay relevant in the future

People interested in attracting and retaining the most talented workers

Anyone who wants to improve productivity and enhance engagement

Individuals interested in applying neuroscience to business

Students interested in the master's in engineering engineering management

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 The Neuroscience of Leading Transformational Organizations with these activities:

Review the basics of neuroscience and psychology

Show steps

Strengthen the foundational knowledge necessary to fully grasp the application of these fields to leadership.

Browse courses on Neuroscience

Show steps

Revisit textbooks or online resources on neuroscience and psychology.
Focus on key concepts related to brain function, cognition, and behavior.

Join a peer group for regular discussions and support

Show steps

Foster collaboration, exchange ideas, and gain insights from peers who are also navigating leadership challenges.

Show steps

Identify a group of peers who share similar goals and interests.
Establish a regular meeting schedule.
Discuss leadership topics, share experiences, and provide support.

Explore online courses or workshops on neuroscience in leadership

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of the topic through structured learning experiences provided by experts.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

Show steps

Search for reputable online courses or workshops on neuroscience in leadership.
Enroll in a program that aligns with your learning goals.
Participate actively in the course, complete assignments, and engage in discussions.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Develop a personal leadership philosophy statement

Show steps

Translate theoretical knowledge into practical application by articulating your own leadership beliefs and values.

Browse courses on Leadership Principles

Show steps

Reflect on your values, beliefs, and experiences as a leader.
Identify the key principles that guide your leadership approach.
Draft a statement that captures your leadership philosophy.
Share your statement with others for feedback.

Engage in role-playing exercises to practice leadership skills

Show steps

Develop proficiency in applying leadership principles through simulated real-world scenarios.

Browse courses on Leadership Skills

Show steps

Identify specific leadership skills you want to improve.
Create role-playing scenarios that will challenge these skills.
Practice these scenarios with a partner or group.
Reflect on your performance and identify areas for growth.

Design a leadership development intervention based on neuroscience principles

Show steps

Apply your knowledge to create a practical solution that addresses leadership challenges within an organizational context.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

Show steps

Identify a specific leadership challenge or area for improvement.
Research neuroscience principles that can be applied to address this challenge.
Design an intervention that incorporates these principles.
Develop a plan for implementing and evaluating the intervention.

Career center

Learners who complete The Neuroscience of Leading Transformational Organizations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Diversity Officer

A Chief Diversity Officer is responsible for creating and implementing diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives within an organization. They work to create a more inclusive and equitable work environment for all employees, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or other factors. This course can be useful for Chief Diversity Officers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind diversity and inclusion, and how to use this knowledge to create more effective D&I programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Diversity Officer

Chief Innovation Officer

A Chief Innovation Officer is responsible for leading innovation efforts within an organization. They work to identify new opportunities for growth, and to develop and implement new products and services. This course can be useful for Chief Innovation Officers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind innovation, and how to use this knowledge to create more innovative products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Innovation Officer

Organizational Development Manager

An Organizational Development Manager is responsible for developing and implementing programs to improve organizational performance. They work to identify areas where the organization can improve, and to develop and implement programs to address these areas. This course can be useful for Organizational Development Managers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind organizational change, and how to use this knowledge to create more effective organizational development programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Manager

Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager is responsible for managing the human resources function within an organization. They work to attract, develop, and retain employees, and to create a positive work environment. This course can be useful for Human Resources Managers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind human behavior, and how to use this knowledge to create more effective HR programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Management Consultant

A Management Consultant is responsible for providing advice to organizations on how to improve their performance. They work with organizations to identify areas where they can improve, and to develop and implement plans to address these areas. This course can be useful for Management Consultants by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind organizational behavior, and how to use this knowledge to provide more effective consulting services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying areas where they can be improved. They work with businesses to develop and implement solutions to these problems. This course can be useful for Business Analysts by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind business processes, and how to use this knowledge to develop more effective solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with teams to develop and implement project plans, and to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. This course can be useful for Project Managers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind team dynamics, and how to use this knowledge to build more effective teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Operations Manager

An Operations Manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work to ensure that the organization's processes are running smoothly, and that the organization is meeting its goals. This course can be useful for Operations Managers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind organizational processes, and how to use this knowledge to create more efficient and effective operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns for an organization. They work to create awareness of the organization's products and services, and to generate leads and sales. This course can be useful for Marketing Managers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind consumer behavior, and how to use this knowledge to create more effective marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for leading a team of sales representatives and developing and implementing sales strategies. They work to generate leads and sales for the organization. This course can be useful for Sales Managers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind sales, and how to use this knowledge to create more effective sales strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Customer Success Manager

A Customer Success Manager is responsible for ensuring that customers are satisfied with their products or services. They work with customers to identify and resolve problems, and to provide ongoing support. This course can be useful for Customer Success Managers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind customer satisfaction, and how to use this knowledge to create more effective customer success programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Success Manager

Event Planner

An Event Planner is responsible for planning and executing events for organizations. They work with clients to develop event plans, and to coordinate all aspects of the event, from venue selection to catering to entertainment. This course may be useful for Event Planners by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind event planning, and how to use this knowledge to create more successful events.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Public relations manager

A Public Relations Manager is responsible for managing the public relations function for an organization. They work to build and maintain relationships with the media, and to develop and implement public relations campaigns. This course may be useful for Public Relations Managers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind public relations, and how to use this knowledge to create more effective public relations campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Social Media Manager

A Social Media Manager is responsible for managing the social media presence of an organization. They work to develop and implement social media strategies, and to create and manage social media content. This course may be useful for Social Media Managers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind social media, and how to use this knowledge to create more effective social media campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer is responsible for writing technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. They work with engineers and other technical experts to gather information and to develop clear and concise documentation. This course may be useful for Technical Writers by providing them with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind technical writing, and how to use this knowledge to create more effective technical documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer