Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning from Coursera

Before we can lead others well, we must first learn to lead ourselves well. Knowing your why is an important part of this journey. In this course, you will identify your core purpose and recognize meaning in your life, explore the power of spirituality and embracing our mortality, create a lasting impact by serving a greater good, describe your character and practice personal excellence.

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

Defining Purpose and Creating Meaning

This week we will explore the often contentious concepts of purpose and meaning. We will explore such questions as: Does my life have meaning? What is my purpose for being here? Are these important to live my best life? You will come away with an understanding of how coherence, purpose and significance play a part in meaning. Lastly, with this clarity, we will craft a plan to live our lives with focused intent.

Exploring Spirituality and Mortality

Research has proven that having a spiritual practice enhances life wellbeing. In the past, spirituality has been synonymous with a religious practice. Although that still holds true for many, new evidence supports the idea that spirituality does not need to include a religious component. No matter your beliefs, believing you are part of something bigger than yourself has positive correlation to a better life. We will explore this and how reflecting on our mortality can enhance life.

Understanding Legacy and Impact

This week, we will examine legacy and impact. Legacy is future looking, whereas impact is often present moment thinking. Some will say that our legacy is overrated and that having the most impact while we are alive should be the goal. How important is it to leave a lasting legacy? How long will your legacy last? We will contrast legacy and impact and the importance of each. What impact are you having on the world, and those you interact with, in the present?

Developing Character and Values

In week 4, we now turn our attention to the importance of character and core values. We will work to define these. Once you have gained clarity on what you stand for, you will then develop a personal ethos to actionably state how you will live your values on a daily basis. Ethos is the Greek word for character. Your ethos can become a governing document to guide you on your life journey.

A Model of Personal Excellence

This week we look at a fundamental part of performing at your best. We will look at concepts such as perfectionism, personal excellence and mastery mindset and how they all tie together. In a world that is obsessed by trying to be perfect, it is important to examine how perfectionism impacts our mental health. Concepts for a better, healthier approach to personal excellence will be presented.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the concept of purpose and its role in a fulfilling life

Examines the power of spirituality and how it can enhance well-being

Emphasizes the importance of creating a lasting impact and serving a greater good

Focuses on the development of character and personal values

Provides a model for personal excellence and overcoming perfectionism

Part of a larger academic program, the Master of Engineering in Engineering Management degree from CU Boulder

This course is designed for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and professional experience in engineering, science, or technical fields who are looking to develop leadership and management skills

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 Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning with these activities:

Create a vision board or collage that represents your purpose and values

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Creating a visual representation of your purpose and values helps reinforce and internalize them.

Browse courses on Personal Excellence

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Gather images, quotes, and other materials that represent your purpose and values
Arrange the materials on a board or collage
Reflect on the collage and identify patterns and themes
Display the collage in a prominent place

Practice writing personal mission statements

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Writing personal mission statements regularly helps students clarify and refine their purpose and values.

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Reflect on your values and beliefs
Identify your strengths and weaknesses
Set long-term goals
Craft a personal mission statement that captures your purpose and values

Review 'Man's Search for Meaning' by Viktor Frankl

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Frankl's book provides insights into the importance of purpose and meaning in life, especially in the face of adversity.

View Embracing Hope on Amazon

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Read the book
Take notes and highlight key passages
Discuss the book with others
Apply the principles to your own life

One other activity

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Join or create a peer support group for students exploring their purpose and direction

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Peer support groups provide a safe and supportive environment for students to share experiences, insights, and encouragement.

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Identify or create a peer support group
Attend regular meetings
Share your experiences and challenges
Provide support and encouragement to other members
Reflect on your experiences in the group and their impact on your personal growth

Career center

Learners who complete Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Life Coach

Life coaches are trained to help people identify their core values, set goals, and make positive changes in their lives. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to become a successful life coach. You will learn how to help your clients define their purpose, create a meaningful life, and achieve their goals.

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Minister

Ministers provide spiritual guidance and support to their congregations. They help people to connect with their faith, find meaning in their lives, and live倫理道德 lives. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective minister. You will learn how to lead people in worship, teach them about their faith, and provide counseling and support.

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Philanthropist

Philanthropists use their wealth and resources to make a positive impact on the world. They support causes that they care about, such as education, healthcare, and the environment. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course can help you to develop a philanthropic mindset. You will learn how to identify your passions, set goals for your philanthropy, and make a lasting difference in the world.

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Social Worker

Social workers help people to overcome challenges and improve their lives. They work with individuals, families, and communities to provide support, counseling, and resources. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective social worker. You will learn how to assess people's needs, develop plans to help them achieve their goals, and advocate for their rights.

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Teacher

Teachers help students to learn and grow. They create lesson plans, teach classes, and assess student progress. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective teacher. You will learn how to create engaging lesson plans, manage a classroom, and motivate students to learn.

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Counselor

Counselors help people to cope with mental health issues and life challenges. They provide support, guidance, and advice to help people improve their mental health and well-being. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective counselor. You will learn how to assess people's mental health needs, develop treatment plans, and provide counseling and support.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They are responsible for developing and implementing programs, managing staff, and fundraising. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective nonprofit manager. You will learn how to set goals, create budgets, manage staff, and evaluate program outcomes.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee the human resources department of an organization. They are responsible for recruiting, hiring, and training employees, as well as developing and implementing HR policies and procedures. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career in human resources. You will learn how to develop and implement HR policies and procedures, manage employee relations, and create a positive work environment.

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Organizational Development Consultant

Organizational development consultants help organizations to improve their performance and achieve their goals. They work with organizations to identify areas for improvement, develop and implement change initiatives, and evaluate the results of change efforts. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career in organizational development. You will learn how to diagnose organizational problems, develop and implement change initiatives, and evaluate the results of change efforts.

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Leadership Development Consultant

Leadership development consultants help leaders to develop their skills and abilities. They work with leaders to identify areas for improvement, develop and implement leadership development programs, and evaluate the results of leadership development efforts. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career in leadership development. You will learn how to develop and implement leadership development programs, evaluate the results of leadership development efforts, and coach and mentor leaders.

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Executive Coach

Executive coaches help executives to improve their performance and achieve their goals. They work with executives to identify areas for improvement, develop and implement coaching plans, and evaluate the results of coaching efforts. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career in executive coaching. You will learn how to develop and implement coaching plans, evaluate the results of coaching efforts, and coach and mentor executives.

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Career Counselor

Career counselors help people to find and achieve their career goals. They work with people to assess their skills and interests, develop job search strategies, and prepare for job interviews. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career in career counseling. You will learn how to assess people's skills and interests, develop job search strategies, and prepare for job interviews.

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Talent Acquisition Manager

Talent acquisition managers oversee the recruitment and hiring of employees for an organization. They develop and implement recruiting strategies, manage the recruiting process, and evaluate the results of recruiting efforts. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career in talent acquisition. You will learn how to develop and implement recruiting strategies, manage the recruiting process, and evaluate the results of recruiting efforts.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and inclusion managers oversee the development and implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives for an organization. They work to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all employees. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career in diversity and inclusion. You will learn how to develop and implement diversity and inclusion initiatives, create a more inclusive and equitable workplace, and advocate for diversity and inclusion.

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Employee Engagement Manager

Employee engagement managers oversee the development and implementation of employee engagement initiatives for an organization. They work to create a more engaged and productive workforce. The Leading Oneself with Purpose and Meaning course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career in employee engagement. You will learn how to develop and implement employee engagement initiatives, create a more engaged and productive workforce, and advocate for employee engagement.

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