Organizational Leadership Capstone from Coursera

The capstone project consists of a case study that must be addressed to complete the specialization.

In the case study, you will be asked to assume the role of the incoming chief executive officer of a fictitious privately held medical device company. From the company’s standpoint, its customers are the clinics that use and dispense its products, rather than the end-users of the company’s products. The company is currently facing a range of challenges, including obstacles to access for world-wide users of the company’s product, as well as internal conflict about the company’s priorities and a new disruptive technology. You will be asked to help the board address key changes in the industry, by developing a strategy to meet these challenges. Specifically, you will submit artifacts responding to a series of challenges related to the case. The artifacts will be peer-assessed on how effectively you applied concepts and skills explored throughout the specialization, assessed your own skills as a leader, evaluated the data to help you make an informed decision, developed a customer-facing design process, and communicated your strategy to relevant stakeholders.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to the Capstone

This capstone project will put all that you have learned in Northwestern University's Organizational Leadership Specialization to the test by asking you to address a series of challenges related to a case study.

Shaping a Culture that Supports Growth and Innovation

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to assess the current culture and devise a plan for shaping a culture that supports growth and innovation for the company in the case study.

Discovering Opportunities

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to discover opportunities for growth and innovation for the company in the case study.

Defining and Taking Advantage of Opportunities

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to define and take advantage of opportunities for the company in the case study.

Communicating with Your Audience

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to develop a plan for effectively communicating with the audiences relevant to your primary opportunity for the company in the case study.

Crisis Response

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to create a crisis response plan for the company in the case study.

Leading People and Fostering Collaboration

In this module, you will apply the skills gained across the specialization to address issues regarding leading people and fostering collaboration for the company in the case study.

Capstone Wrap-Up

Congratulations! You have completed Northwestern University's Organizational Leadership Specialization. Please take some time to reflect on your experience and respond to your peers in the discussion forums.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops advanced leadership skills and knowledge utilized by business leaders throughout the sector

Instructors include professors from Northwestern, one of the world's leading research universities

Focuses on practical application of skills and knowledge to manage real-world business challenges

Course materials include case studies and simulations representing realistic business scenarios

Requires students to actively engage in peer-to-peer learning and collaboration

Provides opportunities for students to receive feedback and guidance from instructors and peers

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 Organizational Leadership Capstone with these activities:

Review core leadership concepts

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Refresh your understanding of fundamental leadership concepts that will be built upon in this course.

Browse courses on Organizational Culture

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Review notes from previous courses or textbooks on leadership.
Read articles or watch videos on current trends in leadership.

Strengthen communication and presentation skills

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Enhance your ability to effectively communicate and present ideas, which is crucial for success as a leader.

Browse courses on Communication

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Practice delivering presentations to a small audience.
Seek feedback on your presentation skills and work on improving them.

Explore case studies in organizational leadership

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Gain insights into real-world leadership challenges and solutions through the analysis of case studies.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Identify a case study relevant to the course topics.
Analyze the case study using frameworks and concepts from the course.
Develop recommendations for solving the leadership challenges presented in the case study.

Five other activities

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Engage in peer discussions on leadership practices

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Connect with fellow students to exchange ideas, share experiences, and enhance your understanding of leadership practices.

Browse courses on Collaboration

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Join a study group or online forum for the course.
Participate in discussions on leadership topics and case studies.
Seek feedback and support from peers on your own leadership development.

Mentor junior learners in organizational leadership

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Enhance your understanding of leadership principles by sharing your knowledge and experience with others, while also contributing to the development of future leaders.

Browse courses on Mentorship

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Identify opportunities to mentor junior learners or colleagues in the field of organizational leadership.
Provide guidance, support, and feedback to your mentees on their leadership journey.
Share your own experiences and insights to help your mentees navigate leadership challenges.

Develop a personal leadership development plan

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Create a roadmap for your own leadership growth by identifying areas for improvement and developing strategies for enhancement.

Browse courses on Personal Development

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Reflect on your current leadership strengths and weaknesses.
Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your leadership development.
Identify resources and support systems to aid in your development.
Create a timeline and action plan for implementing your development plan.

Attend industry workshops or conferences on organizational leadership

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Expand your knowledge and connect with professionals in the field of organizational leadership by attending industry workshops or conferences.

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Research and identify industry workshops or conferences relevant to your interests.
Attend the events and actively participate in sessions and discussions.
Network with other attendees to gain insights and build connections.

Contribute to an open-source project related to organizational leadership

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Gain hands-on experience in applying leadership principles by contributing to an open-source project focused on organizational improvement.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify an open-source project related to organizational leadership.
Join the project community and connect with other contributors.
Contribute to the project by submitting code, documentation, or other valuable resources.
Engage in discussions and collaborate with other contributors to advance the project's goals.

Career center

Learners who complete Organizational Leadership Capstone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Executive Officer

A Chief Executive Officer, sometimes called a CEO, is the highest-ranking executive within a company, and has overall responsibility for the success or failure of the business. CEOs develop and execute the organization's vision, mission, and overall strategy. This curriculum has modules specifically designed to help you lead people and foster collaboration. One of the main focuses of your capstone project is developing a strategy to address a range of challenges. This course may be particularly useful for those seeking a career as a Chief Executive Officer, as it focuses on the development of essential leadership skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Chief Operating Officer

A Chief Operating Officer, commonly referred to as a COO, is responsible for the daily operations and management of an organization. They work closely with the CEO to develop and implement the company's overall strategy. This course could be helpful for someone interested in becoming a Chief Operating Officer, as it covers topics such as shaping a culture that supports growth and innovation. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer

Chief Information Officer

A Chief Information Officer, sometimes called a CIO, is responsible for the management and implementation of an organization's information technology systems. They work closely with the CEO and other executives to develop and execute the company's overall strategy. This course could be helpful for someone interested in becoming a Chief Information Officer, as it covers topics such as discovering opportunities for growth and innovation. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Officer

Chief Financial Officer

A Chief Financial Officer, also known as a CFO, is responsible for the financial health of an organization. They oversee the company's financial planning, budgeting, and accounting. This course may be useful for aspiring Chief Financial Officers, as it covers topics such as discovering opportunities for growth and innovation. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Financial Officer

Chief Marketing Officer

A Chief Marketing Officer, also known as a CMO, is responsible for the development and execution of an organization's marketing strategy. They work closely with the CEO and other executives to develop and execute the company's overall strategy. This course may be useful for aspiring Chief Marketing Officers, as it covers topics such as shaping a culture that supports growth and innovation. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Human Resources Officer

A Chief Human Resources Officer, often referred to as a CHRO, is responsible for the management and development of an organization's human resources. They work closely with the CEO and other executives to develop and execute the company's overall strategy. This course may be useful for aspiring Chief Human Resources Officers, as it covers topics such as leading people and fostering collaboration. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Human Resources Officer

Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice and guidance to organizations on a wide range of topics, including strategy, operations, and human resources. This course may be useful for aspiring Consultants, as it covers topics such as shaping a culture that supports growth and innovation. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. They work closely with stakeholders to develop and implement solutions that meet the needs of the business. This course may be useful for aspiring Business Analysts, as it covers topics such as discovering opportunities for growth and innovation. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They work closely with stakeholders to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course may be useful for aspiring Project Managers, as it covers topics such as defining and taking advantage of opportunities. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work closely with staff to ensure that the organization runs smoothly and efficiently. This course may be useful for aspiring Operations Managers, as it covers topics such as leading people and fostering collaboration. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They work closely with stakeholders to ensure that marketing campaigns are effective and achieve the desired results. This course may be useful for aspiring Marketing Managers, as it covers topics such as shaping a culture that supports growth and innovation. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams. They work closely with customers to identify and meet their needs. This course may be useful for aspiring Sales Managers, as it covers topics such as leading people and fostering collaboration. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources function of an organization. They work closely with staff to ensure that the organization is compliant with employment laws and regulations. This course may be useful for aspiring Human Resources Managers, as it covers topics such as leading people and fostering collaboration. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and providing recommendations to clients. They work closely with clients to help them make informed financial decisions. This course may be useful for aspiring Financial Analysts, as it covers topics such as discovering opportunities for growth and innovation. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. They work closely with stakeholders to identify and solve business problems. This course may be useful for aspiring Data Analysts, as it covers topics such as discovering opportunities for growth and innovation. The capstone project also focuses on developing a strategy to address a range of challenges, which could be extremely beneficial in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst