We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Martyn Clayden
and
Stella XU
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for experienced professionals looking to understand how a modern business succeeds through leadership, culture, decision-making and change management.
Topics Covered
Read more
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for experienced professionals looking to understand how a modern business succeeds through leadership, culture, decision-making and change management.
Topics Covered
Read more
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is for experienced professionals looking to understand how a modern business succeeds through leadership, culture, decision-making and change management.
Topics Covered
- The fundamentals of leadership: what is the evolutionary process of leadership theories?
- What are the major conclusions of the trait theories?
- The skills approach to leadership
- What are the major conclusions of the behavioural theories?
- Identifying the major components of the contingency theories
- Transactional and transformational leadership
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/gdkx5b/leadership
Save this course
Create your own learning path.
Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save
Save
Reviews summary
Foundational leadership theories for professionals
According to students, this course offers a solid foundational understanding of classic and modern leadership theories. Learners appreciate its comprehensive coverage of core concepts, including trait, behavioral, and contingency theories, as well as transactional and transformational leadership styles. While it provides a clear theoretical overview, some experienced professionals might find the focus primarily on foundational concepts could benefit from more in-depth practical applications or case studies to bridge theory with real-world business challenges. It effectively introduces the evolutionary process of leadership thinking.
Complex theories are presented in a clear and easy-to-follow manner.
"The instructors did a great job explaining difficult concepts in an understandable way."
"I found the explanations concise and to the point, which was very helpful."
"The modules were well-structured, making it easy to absorb the theoretical content."
Provides a strong, well-structured introduction to key leadership theories.
"I found the course incredibly useful for gaining a solid understanding of the different leadership theories."
"It's a great overview that lays out the historical development and main ideas of leadership."
"The content covered all the essential theories, which was exactly what I needed to refresh my knowledge."
Primarily focuses on academic theories, with limited practical application.
"I wish there were more real-world examples or case studies to apply the theories we learned."
"While informative, I struggled to see how some of the concepts translated directly to my daily work."
"The course felt very academic; I was expecting more actionable strategies for leadership."
Ideal for those new to formal leadership theory; less for deep dives.
"As an experienced professional, I was hoping for more advanced insights and less 'basics'."
"This course is perfect if you're just starting to explore leadership theories, but not for advanced practitioners."
"While well-presented, much of the material felt like a review rather than new learning for me."
Activities
Coming soon
We're preparing activities for
Leadership Theory: The Basics.
These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.
Career center
Learners who complete Leadership Theory: The Basics will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/gdkx5b/leadership
Reading list
We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Save
While not specifically focused on leadership, this book offers valuable insights into the psychology of change and provides practical strategies for overcoming resistance and driving successful transformations.
While focused on innovation, this book presents critical challenges for leaders in established organizations facing disruptive technologies. It's highly relevant for understanding leadership in the digital age and navigating change. More valuable as additional reading to understand the external forces impacting leadership decisions.
Save
Pink challenges traditional ideas of motivation and explores the power of autonomy, mastery, and purpose. provides contemporary insights into motivating individuals and teams, essential for effective leadership in modern workplaces.
Save
This timely book analyzes the leadership challenges faced during and after crises, offering practical advice for navigating these turbulent periods effectively.
A foundational book for personal effectiveness that directly translates to leadership. It provides principles for developing strong character and interpersonal skills, crucial for leading others. This classic that offers a solid base for anyone starting their leadership journey.
Save
Introduces the concept of fixed versus growth mindsets and their impact on personal and professional success. For leaders, understanding mindsets is crucial for personal growth and for fostering a growth-oriented culture within teams and organizations.
Save
Is widely used as a textbook in academic settings and provides a comprehensive overview of various leadership theories. It's an excellent resource for gaining a broad understanding of the academic landscape of leadership studies and is valuable as a reference tool.
Save
Kotter's seminal work offers a practical framework for leading and managing organizational change, providing valuable insights for those navigating complex transformations.
Save
Is essential for understanding the characteristics of companies that achieve sustained greatness. It provides a research-backed framework and is highly relevant for those interested in organizational leadership and performance. It's often used as a key text in business and leadership programs.
This popular guidebook offers practical principles and insights for building and maintaining effective leadership in various contexts, including business, non-profits, and personal life.
Going beyond traditional leadership theories, this book emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence for effective leadership, providing tools for identifying, understanding, and managing emotions.
This influential work explores the challenges of leading in uncertain and complex environments, emphasizing the need for adaptability, inquiry, and collaboration.
Save
Delves into the importance of vulnerability, courage, and empathy in modern leadership. It's highly relevant for contemporary discussions on creating trust and fostering an inclusive culture. Useful for both aspiring and experienced leaders navigating complex human dynamics.
Save
Based on a popular TED Talk, this book explores the power of purpose in inspiring action and loyalty. It provides a simple yet powerful framework (The Golden Circle) for understanding what drives influential leaders and organizations. Excellent for gaining a broad understanding of motivational leadership.
A seminal work that highlights the critical role of emotional intelligence in leadership effectiveness. Understanding and managing emotions in oneself and others key component of successful leadership, making this book valuable for deepening one's understanding.
Save
Building on the concepts of emotional intelligence, this book focuses on how leaders can create resonance and drive performance through their emotional leadership. Provides practical insights and is suitable for those looking to deepen their understanding of the behavioral aspects of leadership.
Save
Considered a classic in leadership literature, Bennis explores the qualities that define leaders and the process of becoming one. offers deep insights into self-discovery and personal development as integral to leadership.
Offers practical guidance on how to give and receive feedback effectively, a critical skill for leaders. It focuses on caring personally while challenging directly, highly relevant for building strong relationships and driving performance in contemporary teams.
Through a fable, Lencioni outlines the common pitfalls that hinder team effectiveness. provides a clear and accessible framework for understanding team dynamics and is highly recommended for anyone leading or working in teams.
Through extensive research and case studies, this book identifies five essential leadership practices that contribute to organizational success.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/gdkx5b/leadership
Share
Similar courses
Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission
OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.
Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.
Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.
Affiliate disclosure
We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.
Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.
Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.
© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser