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The Discipline of Leadership

Cindy Muir (Zapata)

Because it is likely you either want to improve your leader effectiveness or you may want to increase the number of leadership opportunities you have, this course will focus on outlining the factors that predict leader emergence (whether someone will emerge as a leader) and leader effectiveness. Because those predictors are numerous, this course will be broken down into three distinct parts: 1) who one is as a leader (evaluating leaders/leadership and applying to your own personality/traits/character); 2) what one's knowledge, skills, and abilities should be (KSAOs); and 3) how leaders should approach and resolve problems when in a position of leadership. Leadership develops over time and can be aided by repetition (experience), feedback, and self-reflection. Unfortunately, no one can teach you how to lead. My goal as your professor is to give you the tools that will enable you to teach yourselves how to be better leaders.

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Syllabus

Leader Emergence and Effectiveness
This module will cover key concepts related to personality, leadership traits, and character that can help develop your capacity as an ethical leader as we begin to develop your knowledge of leadership (the K in KSAOs—Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Other). Through lectures, readings, and self-assessments, you will learn about predictors of leader emergence and leader effectiveness. These concepts include the “Big 5” (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism), affect, and mindset. Finally, you will learn that, although your personality, traits, and character might be one way right now, these are also changeable.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for learners who want to enhance their leadership effectiveness and increase leadership opportunities
Great course for those looking to develop a better understanding of leader emergence and effectiveness
Covers essential leadership skills, including consideration, initiating structure, and transformational leadership
Provides guidance on handling common leadership situations, such as negotiation basics and change management principles
Emphasizes the importance of trust and ethical decision-making in leadership

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Reviews summary

Practical leadership development for professionals

According to learners, 'The Discipline of Leadership' is a highly practical course, particularly beneficial for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills. Many commend the instructor's engaging lectures and the course's ability to provide actionable insights and immediately applicable strategies. Students frequently highlight the value of its focus on ethical leadership and the insightful self-reflection exercises. However, some experienced leaders noted the content felt introductory and wished for more advanced strategies or deeper dives into specific topics.
Integrates ethical considerations throughout the leadership training.
"This course truly provided actionable insights into leadership. I particularly appreciated the focus on ethical decision-making..."
"I particularly liked the emphasis on trust and ethical leadership."
"The ethical leadership focus was a significant strength of the course, providing a holistic view of effective leadership."
Encourages deep personal insight into leadership style.
"The self-reflection exercises were surprisingly helpful for personal growth."
"The self-reflection prompts truly pushed me to think about my own leadership style."
"I appreciated the strong focus on self-assessment, which helps apply concepts personally and understand personal leadership tendencies."
The instructor is highly knowledgeable and presents clearly.
"The instructor's lectures were engaging and clear, making complex topics easy to digest. I'm a mid-career professional and found this highly relevant."
"The instructor is fantastic! His insights are invaluable, and the way he broke down complex leadership concepts into manageable modules was brilliant."
"I particularly liked the emphasis on trust and ethical leadership. This course is a must-have for anyone looking to become a better leader."
Provides strategies and tools that can be immediately applied.
"This course truly provided actionable insights into leadership. I particularly appreciated the focus on ethical decision-making..."
"Excellent content! I've taken many leadership courses, and this one stands out for its practical applicability. The module on managing emotionally charged conversations was a game-changer for me."
"Transformative! The self-reflection prompts truly pushed me to think about my own leadership style... This course provided practical tools I can use immediately."
Ideal for beginners, but less depth for experienced professionals.
"While the core concepts are sound, I felt some parts were a bit too theoretical and lacked sufficient hands-on activities or detailed examples... Good for beginners though."
"As someone with years of leadership experience, I was hoping for more advanced strategies. Good for beginners though."
"I found the course to be somewhat superficial. It covers a lot of ground but doesn't dive deep enough... Perhaps better for those with no prior leadership training."

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 Discipline of Leadership with these activities:
Self-Assessment: Leadership Traits and Skills
Engage in self-assessments to identify your strengths and areas for improvement as a leader, allowing you to focus on targeted development.
Browse courses on Leadership Traits
Show steps
  • Take online self-assessments or utilize tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
  • Seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, or supervisors.
  • Regularly reflect on your leadership behaviors and identify areas for growth.
Read 'Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box'
Review this book to build a foundational understanding of leadership and self-awareness, which are critical to success in leadership roles.
View Leadership and Self-Deception on Amazon
Show steps
  • Purchase and read the book.
  • Take notes on key concepts and ideas.
  • Reflect on how the concepts relate to your own leadership style.
Read and review additional books on leadership
Reviewing additional books and materials on leadership can provide you with a deeper understanding of the concepts covered in the course.
View Leadership in Organizations, Global Edition on Amazon
Show steps
  • Identify several books on leadership that align with your interests and learning goals.
  • Read and take notes on the books, highlighting key concepts and insights.
  • Summarize the main ideas and takeaways from each book.
  • Reflect on how the insights from the books can be applied to your own leadership development.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Engage in peer-to-peer discussions and feedback sessions.
Engaging with your peers can provide you with valuable insights and perspectives on leadership.
Show steps
  • Identify a group of peers who are also interested in leadership development and willing to engage in discussions.
  • Meet regularly to discuss leadership concepts, share experiences, and provide feedback to each other.
Develop a personal leadership development plan.
Creating a personal leadership development plan will help you apply the concepts you learn in the course to your own professional growth.
Browse courses on Leadership Development
Show steps
  • Identify your current strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth as a leader.
  • Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for your leadership development.
  • Develop a plan outlining the actions you will take to achieve your goals.
  • Regularly monitor your progress and make adjustments to your plan as needed.
Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Attend industry events to connect with peers, learn from experts, and explore new leadership perspectives and best practices.
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Identify relevant industry conferences and workshops.
  • Register and plan your attendance.
  • Actively participate in sessions and discussions.
  • Connect with other attendees and exchange ideas.
  • Follow up with new contacts after the event.
Lead a project or initiative that challenges you to apply leadership skills and knowledge.
Leading a project will provide you with hands-on experience in applying leadership concepts.
Browse courses on Leadership Skills
Show steps
  • Identify a project or initiative that you are passionate about and that will allow you to develop your leadership skills.
  • Develop a plan for the project, including your goals, objectives, and timeline.
  • Recruit a team of people to work on the project with you.
  • Lead the team through the project, providing guidance, support, and motivation.
Mentor Aspiring Leaders
Engage in mentoring relationships to share your knowledge and experience, fostering the development of emerging leaders while reinforcing your own leadership skills.
Browse courses on Mentoring
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities to mentor through organizations or programs.
  • Establish clear goals and expectations with your mentees.
  • Provide guidance, support, and feedback to your mentees on their leadership journey.
  • Reflect on your own leadership practices and approaches through the mentoring experience.

Career center

Learners who complete The Discipline of Leadership will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officers, or CEOs, oversee the entire business. This includes not only creating and maintaining ethical policies, but also building their company's brand by making strategic decisions. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as common situations in which leaders find themselves.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officers, or COOs, are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. This includes creating and implementing plans to achieve company objectives. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how different leadership approaches can impact a company's performance.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer
Vice President of Human Resources
Vice Presidents of Human Resources are responsible for managing all aspects of a company's human resources department. This includes developing and implementing policies and procedures, as well as overseeing employee relations. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to create a positive and productive work environment.
See salaries and explore the career path for Vice President of Human Resources
Director of Sales
Directors of Sales are responsible for leading and managing a company's sales team. This includes developing and implementing sales strategies, as well as motivating and supporting the sales team to achieve their goals. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to create a high-performing sales team.
See salaries and explore the career path for Director of Sales
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns to promote a company's products or services. This includes conducting market research, developing marketing strategies, and managing marketing budgets. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to create a strong brand identity.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. This includes setting project goals, developing project plans, and managing project teams. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to create a successful project team.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses on a variety of topics, including leadership, management, and strategy. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to build strong client relationships.
See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are individuals who start and run their own businesses. This requires not only a strong business sense, but also strong leadership skills. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to create a successful business.
See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur
Teacher
Teachers are responsible for educating students in a variety of subjects. This requires not only a strong understanding of the subject matter, but also strong leadership skills. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to create a positive and productive learning environment.
See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Managers are responsible for leading and managing nonprofit organizations. This includes developing and implementing strategic plans, as well as overseeing fundraising and other operations. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to create a strong and effective nonprofit organization.
See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager
Politician
Politicians are elected officials who represent the interests of their constituents. This requires not only a strong understanding of public policy, but also strong leadership skills. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to create a positive and productive political environment.
See salaries and explore the career path for Politician
Lawyer
Lawyers are responsible for advising clients on legal matters and representing them in court. This requires not only a strong understanding of the law, but also strong leadership skills. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to build strong relationships with clients.
See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer
Doctor
Doctors are responsible for diagnosing and treating patients. This requires not only a strong understanding of medicine, but also strong leadership skills. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to create a positive and productive patient care environment.
See salaries and explore the career path for Doctor
Engineer
Engineers are responsible for designing and building products and structures. This requires not only a strong understanding of engineering principles, but also strong leadership skills. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to create a successful engineering team.
See salaries and explore the career path for Engineer
Scientist
Scientists are responsible for conducting research and developing new knowledge. This requires not only a strong understanding of science, but also strong leadership skills. The Discipline of Leadership may be useful to someone in this role as it covers topics such as leader emergence and effectiveness, as well as how to create a successful research team.
See salaries and explore the career path for Scientist

Reading list

We've selected 12 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 The Discipline of Leadership.
Cover image
The Leadership Challenge Workbook
Save
This widely acclaimed book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and practicing effective leadership. It aligns well with the course's focus on leadership traits, skills, and behaviors, offering practical insights into how leaders can develop their capabilities and achieve success.
The Leadership Challenge Workbook
Paperback
$$
The Leadership Challenge Workbook
Kindle Edition
$$
The Student Leadership Challenge: Student Workbook...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Find Your Why
Save
Explores the importance of creating a culture of trust and shared purpose within organizations, highlighting the role of leaders in fostering collaboration and teamwork. It complements the course's emphasis on leader effectiveness and the impact of situational factors on leadership.
Start with Why Series 3 Books Set - Start with Why,...
Paperback
$$$
Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering...
Paperback
$$
Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Good to Great
Save
Examines the factors that distinguish successful companies from those that fail. It aligns with the course's emphasis on organizational effectiveness and provides insights into how leaders can create a high-performance culture and drive sustainable growth.
Good to Great
Paperback
Check
Good to Great
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Penguin Readers Level 4: No Rules Rules (ELT Graded...
Save
Examines the cultural differences that can impact leadership and organizational behavior across cultures. It complements the course's emphasis on situational factors and provides insights into how leaders can adapt their leadership style and strategies to different cultural contexts.
Penguin Readers Level 4: No Rules Rules (ELT Graded...
Paperback
Check
Penguin Readers Level 4: No Rules Rules (ELT Graded...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
I Moved Your Cheese
Save
Provides a practical framework for negotiation and conflict resolution. It aligns with the course's emphasis on common situations in which leaders find themselves, offering insights into how leaders can effectively negotiate agreements and manage challenging conversations.
I Moved Your Cheese
Hardcover
$
I Moved Your Cheese: For Those Who Refuse to Live...
Hardcover
$$
I Moved Your Cheese (Marathi)
Kindle Edition
$
I Moved Your Cheese (Tamil Edition)
Audible Audiobook
$
(हिंदी) Aapka Cheese Meine Hataya [I Moved Your Cheese]
Audible Audiobook
$
Cover image
Rising Strong
Save
Delves into the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership. It complements the course's emphasis on self-reflection and personal growth, providing insights into how leaders can connect with others, build trust, and foster a positive work environment.
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations....
Hardcover
$$
Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms...
Paperback
$
(Español) Más fuerte que nunca / Rising Strong: How the...
Paperback
$$
Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms...
Kindle Edition
$$
(Deutsch) Laufen lernt man nur durch Hinfallen: Wie wir zu...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Influence, New and Expanded
Save
Explores the psychological principles that influence human behavior and decision-making. It aligns with the course's emphasis on interpersonal skills and provides insights into how leaders can effectively communicate, motivate, and persuade others.
Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of...
Hardcover
$$
(中文) Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of...
Paperback
$$
Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Save
Provides a practical framework for building and validating new products and services. It complements the course's focus on problem-solving and decision-making, offering insights into how leaders can approach innovation and adapt to changing market conditions.
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Hardcover
$$
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Kindle Edition
$$
Drive
Save
Explores the intrinsic factors that motivate human behavior. It aligns with the course's emphasis on leadership behaviors and provides insights into how leaders can create a work environment that fosters motivation, engagement, and creativity.
Drive
Paperback
Check
Drive
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Supercommunicators
Save
Explores the role of habits in shaping human behavior. It complements the course's emphasis on self-reflection and personal growth, providing insights into how leaders can identify and change their own habits, as well as those of their teams.
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret...
Hardcover
$$
Charles Duhigg 3 Books Collection Set...
Paperback
$$$
(Español) Supercomunicadores [Supercommunicators]: Cómo...
Audible Audiobook
$$
(Português) Supercomunicadores [Supercommunicators]: Como...
Audible Audiobook
$
(Deutsch) Supercommunicators: Wie man die geheime Sprache...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword
Save
Explores the challenges that established organizations face in adapting to disruptive innovation. It aligns with the course's emphasis on situational factors and provides insights into how leaders can navigate change and stay ahead of the competition.
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Hardcover
$$
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Audio CD
$$
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
A Mission Statement for Your Life
Save
This classic book offers a comprehensive framework for personal and professional effectiveness. It complements the course's emphasis on ethical leadership and provides guidance on how leaders can develop a strong value system, set clear goals, and prioritize their actions.
A Mission Statement for Your Life
Paperback
Check
A Mission Statement for Your Life
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Effort
5-7 hours per week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
The University of Notre Dame
Instructor
Cindy Muir (Zapata)
Language
English
Transcript
tiếng Việt
This course belongs to a collection called Ethical Leadership. It's comprised of six courses:
  1. Leading from Within
  2. The Discipline of Leadership (viewing)
  3. Leadership for an Increasingly Diverse World
  4. Ethics of Technology
  5. Ethics of Communication
  6. Why Business? What is the Role of Business in a Just and Humane Society
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for learners who want to enhance their leadership effectiveness and increase leadership opportunities
Great course for those looking to develop a better understanding of leader emergence and effectiveness
Covers essential leadership skills, including consideration, initiating structure, and transformational leadership
Provides guidance on handling common leadership situations, such as negotiation basics and change management principles
Emphasizes the importance of trust and ethical decision-making in leadership
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