Building Your Leadership Skills from Coursera

When taking this course, you will raise your own self-awareness and gain self-confidence for a better leadership.

You will discover a new approach to leadership based on trust and sense.

The “Savoir-Relier” leadership, a new approach of leadership, taught to HEC MBA’s student and top executives, enables better team leadership and encourages relationships between people in spite of their differences of opinion.

You will develop relational skills, self-knowledge and self-awareness on the way to unfold your own leadership style. You’ll learn the skills of The Savoir-Relier (SR) methodology for better connecting with yourself or others by going through the following 4 steps for successful leadership: Introspection, Conversation, Resilience and Responsibility toward Value Creation.

In this first MOOC of the "Inspirational Leadership" specialization, you will practice the first two steps of the method for successful leadership: Introspection and Conversation. You will get to know yourself better during the Introspection part and get a chance to improve your communication skills in order to better interact with others. You will meet people like you who will share their stories and their experience with Savoir-Relier and why it is so inspiring for them in their life. Together, you’ll develop greater self-awareness by developing a leadership self-portrait and going through fun activities to increase your empathy and communication.

Leaders from different organizations and participants of the HEC Paris Leadership Certificate, the program from which this course and specialization are inspired, will share with you their insights about what it takes to become a great leader and what they are able to achieve now that they apply The Savoir-Relier methodology.

This course is part of the specialization “Inspirational Leadership: Leading with Sense”. In the next courses, you'll go through the second two steps of leadership: Resilience and Responsibility toward Value Creation.

What's inside

Syllabus

Your inspirational leadership journey

In this module, you will discover a new approach to leadership, the savoir-relier, which is based on the capacity to build quality and trustworthy relationships. You will hear and watch people who have embarked on the same journey as you who will share their stories and their experience with Savoir-Relier. You will see why it is so inspiring for them in their life and find your own motivation to participate. You will reflect on your inspiration to lead and your personal leadership references to give an orientation to your personal leadership journey. You will capture the value of the step by step process which will help you define your leadership style. So get started and enjoy the journey with us!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops self-awareness, which is core to leadership development

Uses a proven protocol, which provides a solid framework

Emphasizes relationship building, which is crucial for effective leadership

Instructed by HEC MBA executives, who have extensive experience in leadership

Taught by HEC Paris instructors, who teach in the Leadership Certificate program

Part of a specialization, which allows you to pursue additional leadership topics

Reviews summary

Hec paris leadership skills

According to learners, this course offers a strong foundation in the Savoir-Relier leadership methodology, emphasizing self-awareness and relational skills. Many found the content insightful and practical, particularly the introspection and conversation ('The Duo') modules. Reviewers frequently highlight the high quality of instruction and well-structured lessons, making complex ideas accessible. The course is described as inspiring and transformative for personal and professional growth, although some wished for more in-depth exploration or additional modules within the specialization. Overall sentiment is very positive.

Provides a solid starting point for leadership development.

"Excellent as a first step into leadership skills development."

"It's a perfect foundational course for anyone new to leadership training."

"Provides essential concepts before moving to more advanced topics."

"Gives a solid introduction to the Savoir-Relier method."

The peer-to-peer conversation module is highly praised.

"The Duo exercise was surprisingly powerful and led to meaningful connections."

"Interacting with peers and sharing personal stories added significant value."

"Found the conversation module instrumental in practicing active listening and empathy."

"Connecting with others through 'The Duo' was a unique and beneficial part of the course."

Course structure is logical and keeps learners engaged.

"The course is well-structured, progressing logically through the steps."

"Assignments and quizzes were relevant and reinforced learning."

"Despite being online, the course felt very interactive and engaging."

"The pace and format kept me motivated to complete the modules."

Learners appreciate the unique approach to leadership.

"The Savoir-Relier approach is truly inspiring and offers a fresh perspective on leadership."

"This method provides practical steps for building trust and better relationships."

"Savoir-Relier is a powerful framework I can apply immediately."

"Found the focus on sense and intuition in leadership very valuable."

Instructors are knowledgeable and engaging.

"Lectures were clear, insightful, and well-delivered."

"The instructors are excellent, making the material easy to grasp."

"The professors shared valuable experiences and perspectives."

"Found the teaching style motivating and easy to follow."

Course content is easily applicable in real-world situations.

"I can already apply the conversation techniques in my team interactions."

"The lessons provide practical tools and strategies for daily leadership challenges."

"Learned skills that are directly relevant to my professional role."

"The exercises helped translate the concepts into actionable practices."

Strong emphasis on understanding oneself for better leadership.

"The introspection module really helped me understand my own biases and strengths."

"Gained significant self-awareness, which is crucial for leading others effectively."

"Getting to know myself better through the exercises was a key takeaway."

"The course highlights how understanding your own sensibility improves empathy and connection."

Some learners wished for more extensive content.

"Felt like some topics could have been explored in more depth."

"Wished there were more examples or case studies."

"The course is a great introduction, but leaves you wanting more specific techniques."

"Could benefit from additional modules or content within this course."

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 Building Your Leadership Skills with these activities:

Read “Savoir-Relier: The Art of Connecting and Leading”

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Read Valérie Gauthier's book to gain insights into the Savoir-Relier leadership approach.

View Leading with Sense on Amazon

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Purchase the book
Read the book carefully
Take notes and highlight key passages
Reflect on the book's teachings

Self-reflection exercise

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Reflect on your current leadership style and identify areas for improvement.

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Take a leadership assessment
Identify your strengths and weaknesses
Set goals for your leadership development

Active listening exercises

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Practice active listening to improve your communication skills.

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Find a partner
Take turns being the speaker and the listener
Practice using active listening techniques

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Leadership self-portrait

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Create a self-portrait that captures your leadership style and values.

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Choose a medium for your self-portrait (e.g., writing, drawing, collage)
Reflect on your leadership qualities
Create your self-portrait
Share your self-portrait with others (optional)

Savoir-Relier workshop

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Attend a workshop to practice the Savoir-Relier method with other participants.

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Register for the workshop
Complete the pre-workshop readings
Participate fully in the workshop exercises and discussions

Contribute to an open-source project focused on leadership

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Contribute to a project that is developing a resource for improving leadership skills.

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Find an open-source project focused on leadership
Identify a way to contribute to the project
Make your contributions to the project

Volunteer with a leadership development organization

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Volunteer with an organization that focuses on leadership development to gain hands-on experience.

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Find a volunteer opportunity with a leadership development organization
Apply for the opportunity
Complete the volunteer training
Fulfill your volunteer responsibilities

Leadership case study competition

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Participate in a leadership case study competition to test your abilities and learn from others.

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Find a team and register for the competition
Analyze the case study and develop a solution
Present your solution to a panel of judges

Career center

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

Chief Executive Officer

A Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, is the most senior executive within an organization. The CEO is responsible for the overall success of the company. CEOs must have a strong understanding of business and leadership. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help CEOs develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for CEOs who want to motivate and inspire their teams.

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President

A President is the highest-ranking executive within an organization. Presidents are responsible for the overall success of the organization. They must have a strong understanding of business and leadership. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Presidents develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Presidents who want to motivate and inspire their teams.

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Vice President

A Vice President is a senior executive within an organization. Vice Presidents are responsible for a specific area of the business, such as finance, marketing, or operations. They must have a strong understanding of their area of responsibility and be able to lead and motivate their teams. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Vice Presidents develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Vice Presidents who want to be effective leaders.

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General Manager

A General Manager is responsible for the overall operations of a company or organization. They must have a strong understanding of business and leadership. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help General Managers develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for General Managers who want to motivate and inspire their teams.

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Executive Director

An Executive Director is responsible for the overall operations of a non-profit organization. They must have a strong understanding of non-profit management and leadership. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Executive Directors develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Executive Directors who want to motivate and inspire their teams.

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Senior Manager

A Senior Manager is a high-ranking executive within an organization. Senior Managers are responsible for a specific area of the business, such as finance, marketing, or operations. They must have a strong understanding of their area of responsibility and be able to lead and motivate their teams. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Senior Managers develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Senior Managers who want to be effective leaders.

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Manager

A Manager is responsible for leading and motivating a team of employees. They must have a strong understanding of their area of responsibility and be able to effectively communicate with their team. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Managers develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Managers who want to be effective leaders.

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Supervisor

A Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the work of a team of employees. They must have a strong understanding of their area of responsibility and be able to effectively communicate with their team. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Supervisors develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Supervisors who want to be effective leaders.

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Team Leader

A Team Leader is responsible for leading and motivating a team of employees. They must have a strong understanding of their area of responsibility and be able to effectively communicate with their team. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Team Leaders develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Team Leaders who want to be effective leaders.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing out a project. They must have a strong understanding of project management principles and be able to effectively communicate with stakeholders. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Project Managers develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Project Managers who want to be effective leaders.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. They must have a strong understanding of business analysis techniques and be able to effectively communicate with stakeholders. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Business Analysts develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Business Analysts who want to be effective leaders.

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Consultant

A Consultant is responsible for providing advice and guidance to clients on a variety of business issues. They must have a strong understanding of business principles and be able to effectively communicate with clients. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Consultants develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Consultants who want to be effective leaders.

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Entrepreneur

An Entrepreneur is responsible for starting and running their own business. They must have a strong understanding of business principles and be able to effectively communicate with customers and investors. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Entrepreneurs develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Entrepreneurs who want to be effective leaders.

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Non-Profit Leader

A Non-profit Leader is responsible for leading and managing a non-profit organization. They must have a strong understanding of non-profit management principles and be able to effectively communicate with donors and stakeholders. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Non-profit Leaders develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Non-profit Leaders who want to be effective leaders.

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Educator

An Educator is responsible for teaching and supporting students in their learning. They must have a strong understanding of education principles and be able to effectively communicate with students and parents. The Building Your Leadership Skills course can help Educators develop the skills they need to be successful. The course covers topics such as self-awareness, communication, and relationship building. These skills are essential for Educators who want to be effective leaders.

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