CAPSTONE: Your Leadership Challenge from Coursera

Welcome to the capstone project course in the Coursera Inspirational Leadership Specialization!

In the next 6 weeks you'll apply the skills you learned in the Specialization to tackle a real world leadership challenge.

To better meet your own goals of taking this Specialization, we will provide one capstone project:

-Personal leadership challenge;

You'll select one project to implement and will receive assessments from your Capstone peers. No matter which option you choose, the capstone project will examine your skills, including self-awareness, developing quality relationships and trust, resilience, and how making decisions entails a strong sense of responsibility.

For the personal challenge, you will work on your own question addressing your capacity to grow as a leader. A challenge can be a target objective (starting a company, running a project, designing a product, winning a competition, running a marathon…) you have for yourself which puts into question what you want to achieve and how. The Capstone will help you measure the challenge, establish a process and build the steps to meet your goals.

Whatever personal challenge you choose, specific questions will attest to your capacity to analyze and criticize the the problem which is faced by by yourself.

The process that will drive the Business plan will follow step by step the relational circuit model developed in MOOC2 “Giving Sense to your Leadership Experience” and MOOC3 “Leading Organizations” with its two phases of Exploration and Projection.

In the EXPLORATION, you will engage in a first step of holistic perception of the problem using your sensible skills to give a sense of perspective and give voice to you subjective apprehension of the situation as a whole. The second stage of exploration will involve your analytical skills to understand each and every component (elements of data relevant to the challenge) that plays a role in defining the situation. And the third stage of exploration will apply your relational skills where you will make sense and connect your subjective perception with your analysis. You will share the exploration results with peers to receive feedback before your can move on.

The second phase, the PROJECTION part of your business plan leading to recommendations for the personal challenge at stake. In the projection phase you will first look at what the situation might be when you decenter the problem in time and space. Using benchmark and competitive analysis, you will work on different scenarios for the projected outcomes. Finally, with a view to build sense out of the challenge you will come up with recommendations arguing for a preferred scenario.

What's inside

Syllabus

CAPSTONE: Introduction to the Capstone - Holistic Perception

In this module, we will go through the 5 key steps of the Relational Circuit and see how each of them applies to your Personal challenge. We will describe specifically what personal is And by the end of this module you will have shared your perception of what the challenge entails, how YOU, and only YOU see it so you can narrow the scope of your challenge on the basis of your perspective.

CAPSTONE: Disjunctive Analysis

At the end of this module, you will understand the importance of gathering relevant data and how to avoid judgment so to keep the data intact for future exploitation.

CAPSTONE: Relational Assimilation

In this module, we will explore the process of connecting the dots that leads to sense making. We will see how management innovation research can help guide and structure this sense making process. We will see how the use of narrative can also help to develop a clear understanding of the situation, so it makes complete sense.

CAPSTONE: Decentering

With this module, we will explore how possible solutions emerge. You will prepare for the emergence of new solutions by using the "what if" approach and validate these new solutions through the use of a narrative in the timeframe your decide for your challenge. Your video will also be a chance for you to prove your leadership skills through the quality of your communication, your posture, your presence and your persuasive arguments and recommendations.

CAPSTONE: Building Sense - part 1

This is the first part of the last step toward completing your capstone. You will resolve your challenge by building sense and creating value. In this part, you will answer few questions about your ideas to resolve your Capstone challenge. In the second part (in next module), you will pull everything together in the form of a 5 minutes video.

CAPSTONE: Building Sense - part 2 (video pitch)

This is your last step toward completing your capstone where you will pull everything together in the form of a video presenting your ideas and sharing how by resolving your challenge you are building sense and creating value.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Strengthens an existing foundation for intermediate learners in topics like self-awareness, quality relationships, and trust

Taught by instructor Valérie Gauthier, who is recognized for their work in Inspirational Leadership specialization

Develops skills that are core for leaders in business and personal life, such as self-awareness, developing quality relationships and trust, resilience, and decision-making

Examines topics that are highly relevant to leadership in business and personal life

Provides two options for the final Capstone project, catering to a wide range of learner goals

Requires learners to come in with some experience as a professional, including prior knowledge of the Relational Circuit Model

Reviews summary

Highly rated capstone

According to students, this capstone course is highly rated largely positive. Many have commented that its assignments are engaging and create a great learning experience.

Assignments in this course are highly engaging.

"Keep up the good work"

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 CAPSTONE: Your Leadership Challenge with these activities:

Review models of leadership

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Review the different models of leadership to recall their strengths and weaknesses, which will enhance your understanding of the capstone project.

Browse courses on Leadership Theories

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Identify key leadership theories
Research the different models of leadership
Compare and contrast the different models

Read 'Daring Greatly' by Brené Brown

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Reading Brené Brown's book will provide valuable insights into cultivating courage, vulnerability, and authenticity, which are essential qualities for effective leadership.

View Atlas of the Heart on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book
Set aside dedicated time for reading
Take notes or highlight key passages
Reflect on the concepts and their relevance to leadership

Develop a personal leadership vision statement

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Creating a personal leadership vision statement will help you clarify your values, goals, and aspirations, which will serve as a foundation for the capstone project.

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Reflect on your core values and beliefs
Identify your long-term goals and aspirations
Consider your strengths and weaknesses
Draft a concise and inspiring vision statement

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Attend virtual leadership workshops or webinars

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Attending leadership workshops or webinars will expose you to diverse perspectives, best practices, and networking opportunities.

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Research and identify relevant workshops or webinars
Register and attend the events
Actively participate in discussions and Q&A sessions
Connect with other attendees and speakers

Practice self-reflection and self-assessment

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Regular self-reflection and self-assessment will enhance your ability to identify areas for improvement and develop a growth mindset.

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Schedule regular time for self-reflection
Use journaling, meditation, or other tools to facilitate reflection
Identify your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth
Develop strategies for personal and professional development

Contribute to open-source leadership projects

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Contributing to open-source leadership projects will provide practical experience, enhance your technical skills, and connect you with a global community.

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Identify open-source leadership projects that align with your interests
Join the project community and contribute to discussions
Review code and identify areas for improvement
Submit bug reports, feature requests, or code contributions

Share your leadership knowledge and experience

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Mentoring others can reinforce your leadership skills, broaden your perspective, and contribute to the growth of others.

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Identify opportunities to mentor others
Share your knowledge and experience
Provide guidance and support
Reflect on your mentoring experiences and identify areas for growth

Career center

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

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

CEOs are responsible for the overall leadership and management of an organization. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides a comprehensive overview of leadership theories and practices. The course also covers topics such as strategic planning, financial management, and marketing, which are all essential for success in CEO roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Management Professor

Management Professors teach courses in business and management at colleges and universities. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides a comprehensive overview of leadership theories and practices. The course also covers topics such as organizational behavior, human resource management, and strategic management, which are all essential for success in management teaching roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Professor

Executive Coach

Executive Coaches help leaders develop their skills and achieve their goals. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides a framework for understanding and addressing leadership challenges. The course also covers topics such as coaching skills, building relationships, and providing feedback, which are all essential for success in executive coaching roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Executive Coach

Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing programs and projects. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides a framework for understanding and addressing leadership challenges. The course also covers topics such as project management, budgeting, and stakeholder management, which are all essential for success in program management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Leadership Development Specialist

Leadership Development Specialists design and implement programs to help leaders develop their skills and knowledge. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides a framework for understanding and addressing leadership challenges. The course also covers topics such as leadership assessment, training design, and evaluation, which are all essential for success in leadership development roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Leadership Development Specialist

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers lead and manage nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides a framework for understanding and addressing leadership challenges. The course also covers topics such as fundraising, stakeholder management, and program evaluation, which are all essential for success in nonprofit management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides a framework for understanding and addressing leadership challenges. The course also covers topics such as strategic planning, organizational change, and project management, which are all essential for success in management consulting roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Organizational Development Manager

Organizational Development Managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to improve organizational performance. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides a framework for understanding and addressing leadership challenges. The course also covers topics such as strategic planning, change management, and employee development, which are all important for success in organizational development roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Manager

Team Leader

Team Leaders are responsible for leading and managing teams of employees. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides insights into the key skills and qualities of effective leaders. The course also covers topics such as team building, conflict management, and performance management, which are all essential for success in team leadership roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Team Leader

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides insights into the key skills and qualities of effective leaders. The course also covers topics such as business planning, marketing, and sales, which are all essential for success in entrepreneurial ventures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Organizational Psychologist

Organizational Psychologists study the behavior of individuals and groups in the workplace. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides a framework for understanding and addressing leadership challenges. The course also covers topics such as employee motivation, group dynamics, and organizational culture, which are all essential for success in organizational psychology roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Psychologist

Social Worker

Social Workers help people improve their lives and well-being. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides insights into the key skills and qualities of effective leaders. The course also covers topics such as case management, crisis intervention, and community development, which are all essential for success in social work roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations improve their business processes and systems. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides a framework for understanding and addressing leadership challenges. The course also covers topics such as data analysis, process improvement, and stakeholder management, which are all essential for success in business analyst roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Leadership Consultant

Leadership Consultants help organizations improve their leadership and management practices. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides insights into the key skills and qualities of effective leaders. The course also covers topics such as self-awareness, developing relationships, and making decisions, which are all essential for success in leadership roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Leadership Consultant

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing all aspects of human resources, including recruitment, hiring, training, and employee development. This course may be useful for individuals in this role, as it provides insights into the key skills and qualities of effective leaders. The course also covers topics such as managing conflict, building teams, and motivating employees, which are all essential for success in human resources roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager