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Melvin Smith, Ronald Fry, Ellen VanOosten, PhD, Richard Boyatzis, and Diana Bilimoria, PhD

The objectives of this MOOC are to enable you to learn from applying concepts, exercises and learning from the four other MOOCs in this specialization. Learners involved in our programs over the decades have repeatedly told us that going over the material several times helps them progressively delve into the meaning and application of the ideas and experiences. As a result, we have designed this capstone so that it would be the third iteration of working with the ideas and experiences about effective leadership and inspiring its development in others. The first iteration was during one of the other MOOCs in terms of the videos, readings, Forum chats and reflective exercises. The second iteration was doing one of the personal learning or action learning assignments in one of the MOOCs that involved talking to others and writing an essay about the experience. If you had not done the Action learning assignment, then one of the two projects for this MOOC would involve doing it. The third is reviewing and revising your analysis of the experience as the Capstone project to show evidence that you can Be a Leader and help another Develop as a Leader.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Be a Leader, Developing Your Personal Vision
This week you will practice the concepts and skills you learned in Inspiring Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence by further developing your personal vision. Please use the Ideal Self Booklet in the Resources section to complete the exercises for this week.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Taught by instructors known for inspiring leadership research and development, participants in this course can expect to learn from subject matter experts
Provides opportunities to develop and refine coaching skills, which are essential for effective leadership
Emphasizes the importance of personal vision for effective leadership, guiding participants in developing their own vision
Offers practical assignments that encourage participants to apply concepts and reflect on experiences, promoting experiential learning
Requires prior completion of other MOOCs in the specialization, limiting accessibility for beginners or those new to the topic

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Reviews summary

Applying leadership skills in practice

According to learners, this course provides a valuable opportunity to synthesize and apply concepts learned in the previous specialization courses. The capstone project is a central element, requiring students to actively be a leader and help develop another. Many find the chance to practice coaching skills particularly insightful and relevant to real-world situations. While the course structure largely builds effectively on prior material, some reviews suggest the project requirements could be clearer, leading to some confusion. Overall, it is seen as a strong concluding experience that helps solidify understanding through practical application.
How well the course material and tasks are presented.
"The course structure generally flows well, building on the specialization effectively."
"Some sections or assignment prompts could benefit from greater clarity to avoid confusion."
"The progression felt logical, moving from personal vision to developing others and creating shared vision."
"Navigating the project requirements took some effort; clearer guidance would improve the experience."
Project design and value for practical application.
"The capstone project is the core of the course, pushing you to actually 'do' leadership and development."
"I found the project challenging but incredibly rewarding as it required real engagement with someone else."
"Sometimes the instructions for the project felt a bit vague, making it hard to know exactly what was expected."
"While the project is valuable, clarifying the grading criteria or providing more examples would be helpful."
Developing and practicing coaching abilities.
"The coaching component was one of the most practical parts for me; I can see myself using these skills immediately."
"Getting to practice coaching with a real person provided invaluable experience."
"I appreciated the structured approach to developing coaching conversations taught in the module."
"Learning to coach others is a crucial leadership skill, and this course provided a good foundation."
Synthesizing and applying previous course ideas.
"This capstone truly helped me pull together everything I learned in the previous courses of the specialization."
"It's great to finally apply the theories and models from the earlier modules in a practical setting."
"I feel much more confident in my understanding now that I've had to use the concepts actively."
"Bringing all the threads together from the specialization was a very helpful process for me."
Applying learnings to professional situations.
"I feel this course directly prepared me to apply these leadership and development strategies in my professional role."
"The concepts and project are highly relevant to anyone looking to grow as a leader or develop others."
"It provided practical tools and strategies I could implement right away at work."
"Connecting the course material to my own leadership challenges was seamless and insightful."

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 Be a Leader, Develop a Leader with these activities:
Join a peer study group for the course
Engage with fellow learners through a peer study group to enhance your learning experience.
Show steps
  • Identify or create a peer study group.
  • Establish meeting times and communication channels.
  • Collaborate on assignments, discuss course materials, and support each other's learning.
Gather and review course materials
Gather and review course materials to familiarize yourself with the course content.
Show steps
  • Locate and download course syllabus, readings, and assignments.
  • Review materials to identify key concepts and topics.
Attend a workshop on leadership development
Attend a workshop to enhance your leadership skills and gain exposure to best practices.
Browse courses on Leadership Development
Show steps
  • Identify and register for a relevant leadership development workshop.
  • Actively participate in the workshop activities and discussions.
  • Network with other attendees and facilitators.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Develop a personal vision statement
Creating a personal vision statement will help you clarify your values and aspirations as a leader.
Browse courses on Personal Vision
Show steps
  • Reflect on your strengths, values, and aspirations.
  • Write a draft of your personal vision statement.
  • Seek feedback and revise your statement.
Conduct mock coaching sessions
Practice your coaching skills through mock sessions to develop your ability to effectively guide others.
Browse courses on Coaching
Show steps
  • Identify a willing participant to serve as a coachee.
  • Prepare a coaching plan based on the coachee's needs.
  • Conduct the mock coaching session.
  • Seek feedback and reflect on your performance.
Explore case studies on women in leadership
Review case studies on women in leadership to gain insights into their experiences and best practices.
Browse courses on Women in Leadership
Show steps
  • Identify and gather case studies on successful women leaders.
  • Analyze the case studies to identify common challenges and strategies.
  • Reflect on the implications for your own leadership journey.
Develop a plan for an AI Summit
Create a detailed plan for an AI Summit to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire positive change.
Show steps
  • Define the purpose and objectives of the AI Summit.
  • Identify target audience and stakeholders.
  • Develop a preliminary agenda and speaker list.
  • Outline the logistics and budget for the event.
  • Identify potential partners and sponsors.
Implement a leadership development plan
Develop and implement a personalized leadership development plan to enhance your leadership skills and achieve your career goals.
Browse courses on Leadership Development
Show steps
  • Assess your current leadership skills and identify areas for improvement.
  • Set specific and measurable leadership development goals.
  • Identify resources and strategies to support your development.
  • Implement your plan through practice, feedback, and reflection.
  • Monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

Career center

Learners who complete Be a Leader, Develop a Leader will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Leadership Consultant
Leadership Consultants help organizations develop and implement leadership strategies. They work with leaders at all levels to improve their skills and effectiveness. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Leadership Consultant. You will learn how to assess leadership needs, design and deliver leadership development programs, and coach leaders. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of leadership development.
Organizational Development Manager
Organizational Development Managers are responsible for planning and implementing organizational change initiatives. They work with leaders and employees to identify and address performance gaps. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Organizational Development Manager. You will learn how to diagnose organizational problems, design and implement change initiatives, and evaluate the results of change efforts. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of organizational development.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources function of an organization. They oversee employee recruitment, training, and development. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Human Resources Manager. You will learn how to develop and implement HR policies and procedures, manage employee relations, and comply with labor laws. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of human resources.
Training and Development Manager
Training and Development Managers are responsible for planning and delivering training and development programs for employees. They work with leaders and employees to identify training needs and develop programs to meet those needs. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Training and Development Manager. You will learn how to design and deliver training programs, evaluate the effectiveness of training programs, and manage a training and development budget. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of training and development.
Career Counselor
Career Counselors help people make career decisions and develop their careers. They work with individuals of all ages and backgrounds to identify their career goals, develop job search strategies, and prepare for job interviews. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Career Counselor. You will learn how to assess career needs, provide career guidance, and develop career plans. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of career counseling.
College Admissions Counselor
College Admissions Counselors help students navigate the college admissions process. They work with students to identify their college goals, select colleges, and complete applications. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful College Admissions Counselor. You will learn how to assess student needs, provide college guidance, and prepare students for college applications. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of college admissions.
High School Guidance Counselor
High School Guidance Counselors help students make educational and career decisions. They work with students to develop academic plans, explore career options, and prepare for college and careers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful High School Guidance Counselor. You will learn how to assess student needs, provide academic and career guidance, and develop student plans. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of school counseling.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance. They work with leaders to identify and address organizational problems. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Management Consultant. You will learn how to diagnose organizational problems, design and implement solutions, and evaluate the results of consulting engagements. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of management consulting.
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with teams to define project goals, develop project plans, and manage project budgets. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Project Manager. You will learn how to plan and execute projects, manage project teams, and control project costs. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of project management.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams. They work with sales representatives to develop and execute sales strategies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Sales Manager. You will learn how to lead and motivate sales teams, develop sales plans, and manage sales budgets. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of sales management.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for planning and executing marketing campaigns. They work with marketing teams to develop and implement marketing strategies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Marketing Manager. You will learn how to develop and execute marketing plans, manage marketing budgets, and measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of marketing.
Public relations manager
Public Relations Managers are responsible for managing the public image of an organization. They work with the media to promote the organization and its products or services. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Public Relations Manager. You will learn how to develop and execute public relations campaigns, manage media relations, and measure the effectiveness of public relations efforts. This course can also help you build a network of contacts in the field of public relations.
Event Planner
Event Planners are responsible for planning and executing events. They work with clients to identify event goals, develop event plans, and manage event budgets. This course may help you develop some of the skills you need to be a successful Event Planner. You will learn how to plan and execute events, manage event teams, and control event costs. This course may also help you build a network of contacts in the field of event planning.
Fundraiser
Fundraisers are responsible for raising money for organizations. They work with donors to identify fundraising goals, develop fundraising strategies, and manage fundraising campaigns. This course may help you develop some of the skills you need to be a successful Fundraiser. You will learn how to develop and execute fundraising plans, manage donor relations, and measure the effectiveness of fundraising campaigns. This course may also help you build a network of contacts in the field of fundraising.
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit Managers are responsible for managing nonprofit organizations. They work with staff and volunteers to develop and implement organizational goals. This course may help you develop some of the skills you need to be a successful Nonprofit Manager. You will learn how to develop and execute organizational plans, manage staff and volunteers, and measure the effectiveness of organizational efforts. This course may also help you build a network of contacts in the field of nonprofit management.

Reading list

We've selected 17 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 Be a Leader, Develop a Leader.
Provides a comprehensive overview of emotional intelligence and its role in effective leadership. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to develop their leadership skills and become more emotionally intelligent.
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 provides a deep dive into the concept of emotional intelligence and its role in leadership. While the course focuses on emotional intelligence, this book will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Practical guide to coaching for performance. It provides a step-by-step process for coaching others to achieve their goals. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to develop their coaching skills.
Leadership and Self-Deception offers a unique perspective on leadership and personal growth. It explores the ways in which our self-deception can hinder our ability to lead effectively.
Provides a framework for developing positive leadership skills. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a positive and productive work environment.
Provides a framework for creating a shared vision for an organization. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a cohesive and motivated team.
Examines the challenges and rewards of women in leadership. It provides insights into the barriers that women face and the strategies that they can use to overcome them. It valuable resource for women who are aspiring to leadership roles.
Provides a guide to developing a vision for your organization. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a cohesive and motivated team.
Provides a framework for developing positive leadership skills. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a positive and productive work environment.
Provides a simple and effective framework for coaching others. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to develop their coaching skills.
Provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities facing women in business. It valuable resource for women who are aspiring to leadership roles.
Provides a framework for developing leadership skills. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to become a more effective leader.
Provides a framework for developing personal effectiveness. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their productivity and achieve their goals.
Provides a framework for understanding the challenges of innovation. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a culture of innovation in their organizations.
Provides a framework for building a great company. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a sustainable and successful organization.
Provides a practical guide to mentoring others. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to develop their mentoring skills.
Provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities facing women in leadership. It valuable resource for women who are aspiring to leadership roles.

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