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Leadership

Creating Public Value

5.0 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star
Based on 2 ratings
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Mark Moore

Are you ready to take up the challenge of public leadership?

The world in which each of us–and all of us–now live is full of pressing problems and future risks. But it is also full of hope, aspiration, and opportunity. In Leadership: Creating Public Value, you will learn how to face and meet today’s challenges and design a public value proposition that is both actionable and value creating.

Read more

Are you ready to take up the challenge of public leadership?

The world in which each of us–and all of us–now live is full of pressing problems and future risks. But it is also full of hope, aspiration, and opportunity. In Leadership: Creating Public Value, you will learn how to face and meet today’s challenges and design a public value proposition that is both actionable and value creating.

Within the course, you will use an integrated analytic framework to help you understand concrete problems or opportunities for collective action. This framework focuses on the three key elements of producing a publicly valued result: understanding the specific conditions you hope to improve; designing and developing the necessary operational capacities; and securing the public support and financial resources required to launch and sustain your effort at the desired scope and scale.

Through case studies, you will see real public leaders seeking to challenge the status quo. You will be asked to reflect on their thought and action using the analytical frameworks and concepts developed and applied throughout the course. By the end of the course, you will understand how to create long-term public value by envisioning and enacting a better, more just, future for us all.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Use best-in-class thinking from both the private and public sectors to identify risks and exploit opportunities in your particular context
  • Create an actionable public value proposition that can be launched by you
  • Identify the important values at stake in your proposed initiative along with performance indicators to guide you in developing new ideas and creating a value-first mindset
  • Understand what it means to be socially responsible and how to deliver public value and services
  • Use your critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to analyze the viability of a public-value model
  • Examine the moral and ethical challenges and questions that arise when seeking to improve public value outcomes

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Emphasizes the importance of addressing pressing global challenges while also recognizing opportunities for innovation and growth
Provides a structured framework for analyzing and addressing public issues, focusing on understanding specific conditions, designing operational capacities, and securing public support
Features case studies of real-world public leaders who have successfully challenged the status quo, offering practical insights and examples
Promotes values-driven leadership and emphasizes the importance of public value creation and service delivery
Encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making in the context of public leadership
Facilitated by Mark Moore, a renowned expert in public leadership and value creation

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Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Strategic leadership for public value creation

According to students, this course offers an incredibly insightful analytical framework for public leadership, particularly the concept of public value. Learners found the case studies to be strong and helpful for applying concepts to real-world scenarios. Many appreciated the course's emphasis on ethical and societal dimensions of leadership. However, some learners found the lectures abstract and academic, desiring more concrete, step-by-step guidance. This suggests it's best for those seeking conceptual understanding and strategic thinking rather than immediate tactical application, and it suits public service professionals rather than beginners.
Integrates crucial moral and societal considerations.
"I appreciated the ethical discussions."
"The focus on ethical challenges was a great addition."
"The focus on 'public value' provides a much-needed ethical and societal dimension."
Real-world examples facilitate concept application.
"The case studies were particularly strong, allowing me to apply the concepts to real-world scenarios."
"The case studies are excellent, illustrating how to apply the framework."
"The content is rich and thought-provoking, supported by great case studies."
Provides an insightful, unique lens for public value.
"The analytical framework for creating public value is incredibly insightful and practical."
"The framework provided is a game-changer for thinking about public impact."
"This course provided a unique lens through which to view leadership and public service."
"The frameworks are robust, and the focus on creating long-term value is inspiring."
Best for experienced public service professionals.
"I highly recommend this for public sector professionals."
"I felt it was not for absolute beginners in this field."
"I think it's perhaps more suited for academics or those in very high-level strategic roles, not mid-career practitioners seeking quick wins."
A nuanced balance between high-level strategy and direct application.
"I found some of the lectures to be a bit academic and abstract."
"I came in expecting more practical tools for immediate application... it felt too high-level for my needs."
"It's good for conceptual understanding, but less for immediate practical application in my current role."
"It's not just theory; the emphasis on 'actionable public value proposition' truly resonates."

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: Creating Public Value with these activities:
Review and organize course materials
Prepare for the course by reviewing syllabus, course schedule, and relevant materials to familiarize yourself with the course content and structure.
Show steps
  • Gather and organize physical course materials, such as textbooks and notes.
  • Review syllabus and course schedule to understand course structure and requirements.
Review 'Value Proposition Design' by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur
Deepen your understanding of value creation and proposition design, a fundamental concept in public leadership.
View The Invincible Company: How to Constantly... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book carefully, taking notes on key concepts and frameworks.
  • Create a summary or mind map to synthesize your understanding.
Explore relevant online resources and tutorials
Supplement your learning by seeking out online resources that offer clear explanations and practical examples.
Show steps
  • Use search engines to find tutorials, videos, and articles on specific course topics.
  • Follow step-by-step instructions and work through examples to reinforce your understanding.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Form a study group with classmates
Collaborate with peers to reinforce concepts, discuss different perspectives, and prepare for assessments.
Show steps
  • Identify classmates with similar learning styles and interests.
  • Establish regular meeting times and a study schedule.
  • Discuss lecture material, work through problems, and quiz each other.
Create a course companion website or blog
Enhance your understanding and retention of course material by summarizing key concepts, sharing insights, and connecting with other learners.
Show steps
  • Create a website or blog dedicated to the course.
  • Regularly summarize lecture notes and readings, posting them on your website or blog.
  • Use the website or blog as a platform for sharing insights, asking questions, and engaging with other learners.
Record a short video explaining a key public leadership concept
Enhance your understanding of a concept by teaching it to others through a concise and engaging video.
Show steps
  • Select a public leadership concept you want to explain.
  • Write a brief script and prepare your presentation.
  • Record your video, ensuring clear audio and visual quality.
  • Share your video with others for feedback and discussion.
Develop a public value proposition
Apply the principles of public value creation to develop a tangible plan for addressing a specific public issue.
Show steps
  • Identify a pressing public problem or opportunity.
  • Research and gather data to understand the issue and its context.
  • Brainstorm and develop potential solutions.
  • Create a value proposition that articulates the benefits and impact of your solution.
Contribute to open-source projects related to public service
Apply your skills to real-world projects that contribute to the development of tools and resources for public good.
Browse courses on Public Service
Show steps
  • Identify open-source projects that align with your interests and skills.
  • Find issues or areas where you can contribute.
  • Write code, documentation, or other contributions to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Leadership: Creating Public Value will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Community Organizer
Community Organizers work with communities to identify and solve problems. They build relationships with community members and mobilize them to take action. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value can be useful for aspiring Community Organizers. It can help them develop the skills they need to build relationships and mobilize people to take action.
See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They make recommendations to policymakers on how to improve public policy. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value can be useful for aspiring Policy Analysts. It can help them develop the skills they need to research and analyze public policy issues and make sound recommendations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst
Social Entrepreneur
Social Entrepreneurs use business principles to solve social problems. They create businesses that generate profits while also benefiting society. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value can be useful for aspiring Social Entrepreneurs. It can help them develop the skills they need to create a successful social enterprise.
See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur
Public Administrator
Public Administrators manage public programs and services. They work to improve the lives of citizens and communities. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value can be useful for aspiring Public Administrators. It can help them develop the skills they need to manage public programs and services effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Public Administrator
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They work to achieve the organization's mission and goals. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value can be useful for aspiring Nonprofit Managers. It can help them develop the skills they need to manage a nonprofit organization effectively.
See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing out projects. They work with a team of people to achieve a specific goal. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value can be useful for aspiring Project Managers. It can help them develop the skills they need to plan and execute projects successfully.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Program Manager
Program Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing out programs. They work with a team of people to achieve a specific goal. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value can be useful for aspiring Program Managers. It can help them develop the skills they need to plan and execute programs successfully.
See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officers are responsible for the overall success of an organization. They make decisions that affect the entire company, including its financial health, its strategic direction, and its day-to-day operations. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value can be useful for aspiring Chief Executive Officers. It can help them develop the skills they need to make sound decisions, lead effectively, and create a successful organization.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses and organizations. They help clients solve problems, improve performance, and achieve their goals. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value can be useful for aspiring Consultants. It can help them develop the skills they need to provide sound advice and guidance to clients.
See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant
Operations Manager
Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company or organization's operations. They oversee all aspects of the business, from finance and marketing to human resources and operations. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value may be useful for aspiring Operations Managers. It can help them develop the skills they need to manage a complex organization and make sound decisions.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager
General Manager
General Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company or organization. They oversee all aspects of the business, from finance and marketing to human resources and operations. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value may be useful for aspiring General Managers. It can help them develop the skills they need to manage a complex organization and make sound decisions.
See salaries and explore the career path for General Manager
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations and individuals. They work to build relationships with the media and the public. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value may be useful for aspiring Public Relations Specialists. It can help them develop the skills they need to build relationships and manage the public image of an organization or individual.
See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist
Government Relations Specialist
Government Relations Specialists represent organizations before government agencies. They work to influence public policy and legislation. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value may be useful for aspiring Government Relations Specialists. It can help them develop the skills they need to influence public policy and legislation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Government Relations Specialist
Lobbyist
Lobbyists represent organizations before government agencies. They work to influence public policy and legislation. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value may be useful for aspiring Lobbyists. It can help them develop the skills they need to influence public policy and legislation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Lobbyist
Political Consultant
Political Consultants advise political candidates and campaigns. They help candidates develop their campaign strategy and message. The course Leadership: Creating Public Value may be useful for aspiring Political Consultants. It can help them develop the skills they need to advise political candidates and campaigns.
See salaries and explore the career path for Political Consultant

Reading list

We've selected 11 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: Creating Public Value.
Cover image
Recognizing Public Value
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of public value and how it can be used to improve the performance of government organizations. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.
Recognizing Public Value
Paperback
Check
Recognizing Public Value
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Public Sector Strategy
Save
Provides a step-by-step guide to creating a public value scorecard. A public value scorecard tool that can be used to measure the performance of public organizations and identify areas for improvement.
Public Sector Strategy: Concepts, Cases and Tools
Paperback
$$
Public Sector Strategy: Concepts, Cases and Tools
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Understanding the Australian Health Care System
Save
Provides a theoretical overview of the concept of public value. It explores the different ways that public value can be defined and measured, and it discusses the implications of public value for public administration.
Understanding the Australian Health Care System, 1e...
Paperback
$$$$
Cover image
Managing Human Behavior in Public and Nonprofit...
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of public value. It explores the different ways that public value can be defined and measured, and it discusses the implications of public value for public policy and management.
Managing Human Behavior in Public and Nonprofit...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Understanding Global Cultures
Save
Explores the concept of public value in the context of the arts and culture. It examines the different ways that the arts and culture can create public value, and it discusses the challenges and opportunities for creating public value in the arts and culture.
Understanding Global Cultures
Paperback
Check
Understanding Global Cultures
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Public Value of Science
Save
Explores the concept of public value in the context of science. It examines the different ways that science can create public value, and it discusses the challenges and opportunities for creating public value in science.
The Public Value of Science
Paperback
Check
The Public Value of Science
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Fieldwork for Social Research
Save
Explores the concept of public value in the context of technology. It examines the different ways that technology can create public value, and it discusses the challenges and opportunities for creating public value in technology.
Fieldwork for Social Research: A Student′s Guide
Hardcover
$$$$
Fieldwork for Social Research: A Student′s Guide
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Regulating Infrastructure
Save
Explores the concept of public value in the context of infrastructure. It examines the different ways that infrastructure can create public value, and it discusses the challenges and opportunities for creating public value in infrastructure.
Regulating Infrastructure: Monopoly, Contracts, and...
Paperback
$$
Regulating Infrastructure: Monopoly, Contracts, and...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Trouble with Ed Schools
Save
Explores the concept of public value in the context of education. It examines the different ways that education can create public value, and it discusses the challenges and opportunities for creating public value in education.
The Trouble with Ed Schools
Hardcover
$$$
The Trouble with Ed Schools
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Promising Care
Save
Explores the concept of public value in the context of healthcare. It examines the different ways that healthcare can create public value, and it discusses the challenges and opportunities for creating public value in healthcare.
Promising Care: How We Can Rescue Health Care by...
Hardcover
$$
Promising Care: How We Can Rescue Health Care by...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Financial Capability and Asset Building in...
Save
Explores the concept of public value in the context of social welfare. It examines the different ways that social welfare can create public value, and it discusses the challenges and opportunities for creating public value in social welfare.
Financial Capability and Asset Building in...
Paperback
$$$
Financial Capability and Asset Building in...
Kindle Edition
$$$

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Course image
Rating
5.0 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star
Effort
2 to 3 hours per week for 7 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
Harvard University
Instructor
Mark Moore
Language
English
Transcripts
English Español Français Português Deutsch 中文 العربية हिंदी Türkçe తెలుగు Bahasa Indonesia Kiswahili
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Emphasizes the importance of addressing pressing global challenges while also recognizing opportunities for innovation and growth
Provides a structured framework for analyzing and addressing public issues, focusing on understanding specific conditions, designing operational capacities, and securing public support
Features case studies of real-world public leaders who have successfully challenged the status quo, offering practical insights and examples
Promotes values-driven leadership and emphasizes the importance of public value creation and service delivery
Encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making in the context of public leadership
Facilitated by Mark Moore, a renowned expert in public leadership and value creation
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