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Data-Driven Leadership Skills Course 2

Agile Leadership

Matt Offord

In this course, we describe how agility became increasingly important in the 21st Century. We explore the role of information communication in disrupting hierarchical leadership. We will explore the Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) world of the 21st Century and look at how the traditional discipline of strategic planning is adapting under the turbulence of the data deluge. We will be looking at the rise of exploratory strategy.

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Syllabus

Data Driven Agility
Welcome to the second course in our specialisation which looks at leadership in the age of data. In this course we will look into the emerging importance of agility. Agility is a response to the age of data. Data has been building up since the first wave of Big Data which occured in the late 19th Century. 100 or more years on, we find the data deluge is so overwhelming that leaders find it difficult to plan ahead in traditional ways. Modern leaders must be agile to adapt to a world that is Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA). In today's digital age, leaders who can harness the power of data and translate it into actionable insights have a significant advantage in navigating complex business landscapes. This course equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to lead with agility, leveraging data-driven strategies to achieve success.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores data-driven agility, collaboration, and agility tools, which are core skills for modern leaders in the knowledge economy
Teaches how data has been building up since the first wave of Big Data which occurred in the late 19th Century
Develops the skills and knowledge needed to lead with agility, leveraging data-driven strategies to achieve success
Taught by Matt Offord, who is an expert in leadership and organizational agility

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Reviews summary

Agile leadership: strategic concepts for modern professionals

According to students, this course offers a strong conceptual foundation for navigating agile leadership in a data-driven, VUCA world. Many appreciate its relevance to 21st-century challenges and the fresh perspective on collaboration as a powerful data analysis tool. The instructor's explanations are clear and the course provides invaluable insights for seasoned professionals. However, some learners feel the course is too theoretical and lacks practical, actionable strategies. A consistent point of feedback is that the module on "Agility Tools" is superficial, offering only an introduction rather than deep, hands-on guidance. This course is best for understanding the "why" rather than the "how" of data-driven agile leadership.
Fresh perspective on collaboration as a crucial data analysis tool.
"I particularly appreciated the module on collaboration and how it ties into modern team structures."
"The content on collaboration as a data analysis tool was a fresh perspective."
"The focus on collaboration as a key data analytic tool was particularly enlightening."
Concepts are clearly presented and highly relevant to modern leadership.
"The instructor's explanations were clear and the examples truly resonated with real-world business challenges."
"The course structure was logical, and the concepts were presented clearly."
"The VUCA concept was well explained. I also loved how it challenged traditional strategic planning methods."
Provides excellent theoretical grounding and strategic insights.
"This course was an excellent deep dive into the practical aspects of agile leadership, especially how data informs decision-making in a VUCA world."
"It articulates the 'why' behind data-driven agility so well. I also loved how it challenged traditional strategic planning methods."
"Excellent theoretical grounding in modern leadership challenges. The course really makes you think about how data impacts strategic decision-making."
Lacks actionable strategies and hands-on implementation guidance.
"I was expecting more actionable strategies for 'Data-Driven' leadership. It felt a bit too high-level at times..."
"I was hoping for more practical exercises or case studies on how to actually implement data-driven agile strategies."
"It's a good starting point, but I'll need to seek out other resources for practical application."
The 'Agility Tools' module is introductory, not a deep dive.
"...While it touched on various 'Agility Tools', I felt it was more of an overview than practical guidance."
"I found this course somewhat disappointing... The 'tools' section was superficial."
"My main critique is that the coverage of specific 'agility tools' felt very introductory. It's more about 'why' than 'how'."

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 Data-Driven Leadership Skills Course 2: Agile Leadership with these activities:
Review how to read business publications
Review the basics of business writing to practice extracting important information from texts
Browse courses on Business Writing
Show steps
  • Read a single business publication article
  • Read business overview of a specific company
Read summary of Traction
Review the latest trends and best practices in customer acquisition within startups
View Traction on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read a short summary of Traction
  • Summarize the main takeaways
Review competitor frameworks, such as SWOT or Pestel analysis
Review your understanding of frameworks for performing a competitive analysis for a given company
Browse courses on Business Metrics
Show steps
  • Review SWOT and Pestel analysis frameworks
  • Identify how the frameworks are used to identify a company's strengths and weaknesses
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Attend office hours with the professor or TAs
Meet with experienced individuals to gain additional insights into the course material
Browse courses on Mentorship
Show steps
  • Review office hours offered
  • Identify discussion topics
Weekly analysis of business publications
Develop your skills in reviewing business news for insights
Browse courses on Written Communication
Show steps
  • Identify relevant business publications
  • Read and analyze articles
  • Summarize key takeaways in a written document
Build an Excel financial model for a business you're familiar with
Develop your Excel skills and apply them to model the financial performance of a given company
Browse courses on Financial Modeling
Show steps
  • Choose a company of interest
  • Gather financial data on the company
  • Build a financial model in Excel
Glossary of key terms
Develop your understanding of terminology used in the course
Show steps
  • Identify key terms covered in the course
  • Write a definition for each term
  • Compile the terms into a glossary document
Compile all course materials, notes, and resources
Organize and review the course materials as a refresher
Show steps
  • Organize all notes from every module into one folder
  • Compile all course notes, assignments, and materials in a single document

Career center

Learners who complete Data-Driven Leadership Skills Course 2: Agile Leadership will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Scientist
Data Scientists leverage data and statistical methods to extract meaningful insights and patterns. This course aligns with this role by enhancing your understanding of data-driven decision-making and providing tools for agile leadership. The focus on collaboration and harnessing social learning will equip you to work effectively in data-centric teams and navigate the complexities of data management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Business Analyst
Business Analysts bridge the gap between business and technology, translating business requirements into technical solutions. This course provides a solid foundation in data-driven leadership and strategic planning in the face of uncertainty. The emphasis on exploratory strategy and leveraging data for actionable insights will be invaluable in this role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the development and success of products. This course aligns with this role by providing insights into data-driven agility, collaboration, and the use of data analytics tools. Understanding how to navigate the VUCA world and make informed decisions based on data will give you a competitive edge in product development.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Management Consultant
Management Consultants advise organizations on strategy, operations, and technology. This course will enhance your ability to provide data-driven recommendations and lead clients through complex transformations. The focus on collaboration and the use of data-oriented tools will be highly valuable in this role that requires adaptability and problem-solving.
See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant
Data Engineer
Data Engineers design, build, and maintain data management systems. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of data-driven leadership and the challenges of managing large volumes of data. The emphasis on collaboration and understanding the business context will also be helpful for effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer
Data Analyst
Data Analysts extract and interpret data to inform decision-making. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of data-driven leadership and the principles of agile decision-making. The focus on collaboration and social learning will also be helpful for working effectively in data-centric teams.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and deliver projects. This course may be useful as it provides insights into data-driven leadership and managing projects in a VUCA world. The emphasis on collaboration and the use of data-oriented tools will also be helpful in coordinating project teams and ensuring successful project outcomes.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Data Architect
Data Architects design and manage data architecture for organizations. This course may be useful as it provides an overview of data-driven leadership and the principles of agile decision-making. The focus on collaboration and social learning will also be helpful for working effectively in data-centric teams.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect
Chief Data Officer
Chief Data Officers are responsible for managing and leveraging data as a strategic asset for organizations. This course may be useful as it provides insights into data-driven leadership and the challenges of managing large volumes of data. The focus on collaboration and understanding the business context will also be helpful for effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Data Officer
Chief Information Officer
Chief Information Officers are responsible for managing and leveraging technology to achieve business goals. This course may be useful as it provides insights into data-driven leadership and the principles of agile decision-making. The focus on collaboration and social learning will also be helpful for working effectively with cross-functional teams.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Officer
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officers are responsible for the overall leadership and management of organizations. This course may be useful as it provides insights into data-driven leadership and the challenges of managing complex organizations. The focus on collaboration and the use of data-oriented tools will also be helpful in making informed decisions and guiding the organization towards success.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officers are responsible for the day-to-day operations and execution of an organization's strategy. This course may be useful as it provides insights into data-driven leadership and the principles of agile decision-making. The focus on collaboration and the use of data-oriented tools will also be helpful in managing cross-functional teams and ensuring operational efficiency.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Technology Officers are responsible for managing and leveraging technology to drive innovation and growth. This course may be useful as it provides insights into data-driven leadership and the principles of agile decision-making. The focus on collaboration and the use of data-oriented tools will also be helpful in working effectively with cross-functional teams and translating technology into business value.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Technology Officer
Chief Risk Officer
Chief Risk Officers are responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing risks for organizations. This course may be useful as it provides insights into data-driven leadership and the challenges of managing risk in a VUCA world. The focus on collaboration and the use of data-oriented tools will also be helpful in making informed decisions and developing effective risk management strategies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Risk Officer
Chief Compliance Officer
Chief Compliance Officers are responsible for ensuring that organizations comply with all applicable laws and regulations. This course may be useful as it provides insights into data-driven leadership and the challenges of managing compliance in a globalized business environment. The focus on collaboration and the use of data-oriented tools will also be helpful in monitoring compliance, detecting risks, and taking appropriate action.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Compliance Officer

Reading list

We've selected seven 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 Data-Driven Leadership Skills Course 2: Agile Leadership.
Cover image
Functional Design
Save
Core textbook for agile software development, providing a deep dive into the principles and practices of agile methodologies.
Functional Design: Principles, Patterns, and...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Radical Uncertainty
Save
Provides a framework for decision-making in the face of uncertainty, which key challenge for leaders in the VUCA world.
Radical Uncertainty
Paperback
Check
Radical Uncertainty
Kindle Edition
Check
Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Save
Recommended reference for the module on agility, providing a framework for iterative product development and customer validation.
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Hardcover
$$
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Competing on Analytics: Updated, with a New...
Save
Provides insights into how data analytics can be used to improve decision-making and gain a competitive advantage.
Competing on Analytics: Updated, with a New...
Paperback
Check
Competing on Analytics: Updated, with a New...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Lean Analytics
Save
Provides practical guidance on how to use data analytics to improve startup performance.
Lean Analytics: Use Data to Build a Better Startup...
Paperback
$$
(Español) Lean Analytics: Cómo utilizar los datos para crear...
Paperback
$$$
(中文) 精益数据分析...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword
Save
Provides valuable background knowledge on the challenges organizations face in adapting to technological change.
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Hardcover
$$
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Audio CD
$$
The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Way of the Warrior
Save
This ancient Chinese military treatise provides timeless insights into the principles of strategy and leadership.
The Path of the Warrior Ornate Box Set: The Art of...
Hardcover
$$
The Way of the Warrior: Deluxe Silkbound Editions...
Hardcover
$$
The Way of the Warrior: The Way of the Samurai, The...
Hardcover
$$

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Course image
Effort
14 hours to complete
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Glasgow
Instructor
Matt Offord
Language
English
This course belongs to a collection called Data-Driven Leadership Skills. It's comprised of four courses:
  1. Data-Driven Leadership Skills Course 2: Agile Leadership (viewing)
  2. Data-Driven Leadership Skills Course 3: Data-Driven Leaders
  3. Data-Driven Leadership Skills Capstone Project
  4. Data-Driven Leadership Skills Course 1: Leadership Narrative
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores data-driven agility, collaboration, and agility tools, which are core skills for modern leaders in the knowledge economy
Teaches how data has been building up since the first wave of Big Data which occurred in the late 19th Century
Develops the skills and knowledge needed to lead with agility, leveraging data-driven strategies to achieve success
Taught by Matt Offord, who is an expert in leadership and organizational agility
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