Stepping Up: Preparing Yourself for Leadership from Coursera

In this course, you will explore the importance of self awareness and feedback, as well as issues such as bias and imposter syndrome. As a leader, it is important to know when to step in and lead, as well as how to establish boundaries and resolve conflict. This course will equip you with these fundamental leadership skills and will also help you develop your ability to influence others (including your “boss”), measure your impact and enhance your resilience.

This course is aimed at leaders and managers who have five to six years experience and who are beginning to manage teams, customers and clients more regularly or more directly. A majority of those taking this course will have a technical or professional early career, but are progressing professionally so are starting to grapple with the issues of team and organisational leadership.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

– Identify how you are perceived by your colleagues as leaders.

– Make better decisions about when to step in, and when to stand back, as a leader and how to work with conflict as a productive force.

– Explain how to lead and support your boss to both achieve your goals in your respective leadership positions.

– Manage your energy to be seen as a positive, influential leader.

What's inside

Syllabus

Understanding Yourself as a Leader

This week we are going to be focusing on you and your understanding of your leadership identity. We shall be asking you to reflect on who you are and to consider some of your strengths before exploring two of the biggest challenges for many leaders: imposter syndrome as you build your identity as a leader, and also the need to leverage your time by learning to let go and using delegation to “achieve through others”. We are going to encourage you to step outside your comfort zone, stretch your leadership potential, and consider the types of activity you need to be focussing on to become the leader you want to be.

Stepping In, Setting Boundaries and Productive Conflict

This week we will be looking at how you can know when to “step in” as a leader and how to do this effectively. We shall explore some of the leadership tools and styles that are available to you and consider how you might adapt your approach in response to your context. We will also discuss boundaries and how you might go about setting these, as well as conflict, looking at how you can constructively respond to conflict and how to find the value in such interactions.

Leading and Influencing Your Boss

This week we shall be focussing on your boss’s or leader’s agenda and considering how you can best align yourself with it whilst also pursuing your own leadership goals. We look at how you can better understand your boss’s motives and aims, as well as how you can influence your boss. We will use the “Authority-Presence-Impact” frame of thinking to help you to further develop your ability to lead, and will take you through the process of having challenging, but invaluable, conversations with your leader or boss.

Managing Energy and Motivations

This week we are going to focus on how you can maintain your own energy levels whilst also energising and motivating those around you. We will look at how you can embed self-care and wellbeing into your leadership practices and ways in which you can radiate energy to others. We shall explore what motivates you as well as those you lead, and think about how you can use language to achieve your leadership goals and motivate your team.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines importance of self awareness and feedback, as well as issues like bias and imposter syndrome

Develops understanding of dealing with conflict as a productive force

Builds awareness of how to manage and direct energy into positive influence

Taught by Dr Nigel Spencer, Mike Mister, Arun Singh - experts in issues of leadership, bias, and communication

Aims to equip learners with fundamental leadership skills and enhance ability to influence others

Suitable for learners seeking to transition into management positions

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 Stepping Up: Preparing Yourself for Leadership with these activities:

Join a peer study group for knowledge sharing and support

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Engage with peers to exchange insights, reinforce concepts, and provide support.

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Find or create a peer study group with fellow course participants.
Establish regular meeting times and discuss course-related topics.
Share resources, insights, and experiences to enhance learning.

Explore case studies and best practices in leadership

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Analyze real-world examples of effective leadership to gain insights and improve your own practices.

Browse courses on Case Studies

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Identify case studies and best practices relevant to the leadership topics covered in the course.
Read, analyze, and extract key lessons from these case studies.
Compare and contrast different leadership approaches and identify commonalities.

Engage in role-playing exercises to practice leadership skills

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Practice your leadership skills in a simulated environment to enhance your effectiveness.

Browse courses on Leadership Skills

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Identify specific leadership skills you want to develop.
Create scenarios that challenge your leadership abilities.
Engage in role-playing exercises with peers to practice these skills.
Reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement.

Two other activities

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Read 'The Empowered Manager' by Peter Block

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Gain insights into empowering leadership styles and fostering a positive organizational environment.

View The Empowered Manager: Positive Political... on Amazon

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Identify key concepts of empowerment and self-awareness.
Examine the impact of leadership styles on organizational culture.
Develop strategies for empowering team members and fostering collaboration.

Develop a leadership development plan

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Create a roadmap for your leadership growth and identify specific actions to enhance your skills.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

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Assess your current leadership strengths and areas for improvement.
Set specific and measurable leadership goals.
Identify resources, such as courses, workshops, and mentors, to support your development.
Create a timeline and track your progress towards your goals.

Career center

Learners who complete Stepping Up: Preparing Yourself for Leadership will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses, taking on the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship. They are responsible for developing business ideas, securing funding, and leading their teams to success. This course can be valuable for Entrepreneurs, as it provides insights into developing a strong leadership presence, managing stakeholders, and effectively influencing investors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

School Principal

School Principals are responsible for the overall leadership and management of schools, ensuring a positive and effective learning environment for students. They work closely with teachers, parents, and the community to set educational goals, develop curriculum, and implement policies. This course can be valuable for School Principals, as it provides insights into developing a strong leadership presence, managing stakeholders, and effectively influencing the school community.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Principal

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are the highest-ranking executives in an organization, responsible for the overall strategy and direction of the company. They are accountable for making key decisions, setting goals, and ensuring the organization's success. This course can be particularly valuable for CEOs, as it provides insights into effective leadership, managing stakeholders, and developing a strong executive presence.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Nonprofit Executive Director

Nonprofit Executive Directors lead and manage nonprofit organizations, working towards achieving the organization's mission and goals. They are responsible for fundraising, strategic planning, and overseeing all aspects of the organization's operations. This course can be helpful for Nonprofit Executive Directors, as it enhances their leadership skills, ability to manage stakeholder relationships, and effectively influence donors and supporters.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Executive Director

Management Consultant

Management Consultants provide advisory services to organizations, helping them improve their performance and achieve strategic goals. They work closely with clients to identify and solve business problems, develop solutions, and implement change. This course can be beneficial for Management Consultants, as it enhances their leadership skills, ability to manage client relationships, and influence key stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officers (COOs) are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work closely with the CEO to implement strategic plans, manage resources, and ensure efficient functioning. This course can be helpful for COOs, as it enhances their leadership skills, ability to manage conflict, and effectively collaborate with stakeholders across the organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer

Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the daily operations of an organization, ensuring smooth and efficient functioning. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling resources, as well as implementing and monitoring processes. This course can be helpful for Operations Managers, as it provides strategies for effective leadership, managing conflict, and enhancing stakeholder engagement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Team Leader

Team Leaders are responsible for leading and motivating small teams of employees, assigning tasks, providing guidance, and ensuring the team meets its objectives. This course can be useful for Team Leaders, as it provides insights into effective leadership, managing conflict, and enhancing team performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Team Leader

Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead and manage sales teams, setting targets, developing sales strategies, and motivating their teams to achieve revenue goals. This course can be beneficial for Sales Managers, as it enhances their leadership skills, ability to manage conflict, and effectively influence customers and clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for the management and development of an organization's workforce. They are involved in various aspects of HR, such as recruitment, training, performance management, and employee relations. This course can be useful for Human Resources Managers, as it provides tools for effective leadership, managing conflict, and enhancing employee motivation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects successfully. They work closely with stakeholders, set project goals, and manage resources to ensure timely and efficient project completion. This course can be beneficial for Project Managers, as it helps them enhance their leadership skills, effectively manage conflict, and influence stakeholders to achieve project objectives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are responsible for the financial management of an organization. They oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, and ensure compliance with financial regulations. This course can be valuable for CFOs, as it provides insights into effective leadership, managing stakeholder relationships, and influencing key decision-makers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Financial Officer

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing strategies to promote products or services and increase brand awareness. They are responsible for conducting market research, managing marketing budgets, and tracking campaign performance. This course can be valuable for Marketing Managers, as it provides insights into building a strong leadership presence, managing teams, and effectively influencing stakeholders to achieve marketing goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Communication Director

Communication Directors develop, manage, and execute strategic communications plans to enhance an organization's reputation. They are responsible for crafting and disseminating key messages, maintaining consistent brand messaging across various platforms, and managing media relations. This course, by providing insights into self-awareness, leadership styles, and conflict management, can be particularly valuable for Communication Directors, who need to effectively lead and influence stakeholders while maintaining strong relationships with the media.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communication Director

Business Analyst

Business Analysts bridge the gap between business and IT, working to understand and document business requirements and translate them into technical specifications. This course can be useful for Business Analysts, as it provides valuable insights into understanding their own strengths, managing boundaries, and effectively collaborating with both business and technical stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst