Getting Started with Leadership from Coursera

In this course, you will discover the importance of understanding context and its impact on the individual as a leader. You’ll consider how you define leadership and explore how organisations work through an exploration of the “what” and “why” of your own working environment. You will also look at who stakeholders are and their important role in today's business, before discussing the differences between leadership and management, and the importance of credibility.

This course is aimed at leaders and managers who have five to six years experience and who are beginning to manage teams, customers and clients more regularly or more directly. A majority of those taking this course will have a technical or professional early career, but are progressing professionally so are starting to grapple with the issues of team and organisational leadership.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

– Describe the context in which your organisation operates.

– Identify common challenges related to leadership.

– Explain how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organisations are structured in order to deliver their goods or services.

– Identify the key stakeholders in your leadership constellation.

– Work effectively with your key stakeholders.

– Explain the difference between leadership and management.

Many topics covered in the course are also explored in the instructors book How to Lead Smart People (Mike Mister and Arun Singh, Profile Books 2019).

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Leadership

Welcome to Coursera and Queen Mary University of London, we are excited to have you studying with us. We are going to help you prepare for your studies by ensuring you know exactly what is expected of you throughout your course and how to most effectively engage with the platform. We will look at how the platform works as well as how you will interact with your peers. You will be introduced to the university you are studying with and we will share some top tips on how to succeed with Coursera. This week we shall start by getting to know Coursera as you will be introduced to the platform and explore how to use the various functions which will support your learning journey. You will see how you can make the most of your learning experience which will enable you to succeed on this course. This week we are going to start by exploring the context of leadership as we think about what it is and how we might define it. Many topics covered in the course are also explored in the instructors book How to Lead Smart People (Mike Mister and Arun Singh, Profile Books 2019).

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores leadership context, aligning with the target audience's need to understand their organizational environment

Taught by recognized instructors in the fields of leadership and management

Covers stakeholders, leadership, and management, developing core skills for leaders and managers

Targets leaders and managers with experience, addressing the specific challenges they face

Builds on the instructors' book, offering a deeper exploration of leadership concepts

Requires prerequisites, which may limit accessibility for some learners

Reviews summary

Foundational leadership for emerging professionals

According to its design, this course aims to provide a solid foundation for emerging leaders, particularly those with a few years of professional experience transitioning into management roles. It appears to focus on critical aspects such as understanding organizational context, identifying key stakeholders, and differentiating between leadership and management. The content seems structured to offer practical insights for new managers grappling with team and organizational dynamics. The inclusion of topics like credibility and time management suggests a practical approach to developing leadership skills. While seemingly comprehensive for a starting point, learners seeking advanced or highly specialized leadership strategies may find it a fundamental overview.

Content reinforced by the instructors' published book for further study.

"It's good to know that many topics are explored in the instructors' book 'How to Lead Smart People'."

"I appreciate the suggestion of additional reading to deepen my understanding beyond the course material."

"The reference to the book suggests a comprehensive and expert-driven curriculum from credible authors."

Aims to provide strategies applicable to real-world leadership.

"I hope to learn practical tools and strategies I can immediately apply in my workplace."

"The course seems designed to help me work more effectively with key stakeholders to implement my agenda."

"I anticipate gaining new techniques for assessing stakeholder relationships and needs."

Covers essential distinctions between leadership and management.

"I expect to gain a clear understanding of the key differences between leading and managing effectively."

"The focus on organizational context and stakeholder analysis looks very relevant to my current role."

"It promises to help me define leadership and understand its impact within my working environment."

Ideal for professionals transitioning into first-time management roles.

"I appreciate how this course is designed for someone like me, with professional experience but new to managing teams."

"This course seems to be a great starting point for those who are just beginning to manage others and grow professionally."

"It perfectly addresses the challenges of progressing from a technical or professional early career to a leadership position."

May be too basic for experienced leaders seeking advanced strategies.

"As an experienced leader, I'm concerned if this 'getting started' course will offer enough advanced content for me."

"I might need to supplement this course with more in-depth material if I seek highly specialized knowledge."

"This course appears best suited for true beginners in leadership, not seasoned professionals with extensive management background."

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 Getting Started with Leadership with these activities:

Review Organizational Theory

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Strengthen your foundation by reviewing key concepts and theories in organizational theory.

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Review notes or resources from previous courses or textbooks on organizational theory.
Take practice quizzes or mock exams to test your understanding.
Identify areas where you need additional clarification or reinforcement.

Review 'How to Lead Smart People'

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Gain insights into the challenges and best practices of leading smart people by reviewing this book, which is recommended in the course.

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Read the introduction and first three chapters, focusing on the key concepts of context, stakeholder management, and the difference between leadership and management.
Summarize the main ideas and examples in each chapter in your own words.

Practice Identifying Stakeholders

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Develop your ability to identify and analyze stakeholders, a crucial skill for effective leadership.

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Create a list of stakeholders for a hypothetical organization or project.
Classify each stakeholder based on their power, interest, and influence.
Develop strategies for managing each stakeholder group.

Three other activities

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Engage in Peer Discussions on Leadership Challenges

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Connect with peers to share experiences, discuss challenges, and support each other's leadership journey.

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Join or start a peer discussion group specifically for leaders.
Participate actively in discussions, sharing your perspectives and listening to others.
Seek feedback and advice from peers on your leadership goals and challenges.

Develop a Leadership Vision Statement

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Articulate your own leadership vision and values by creating a concise and compelling statement.

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Reflect on your strengths, values, and aspirations as a leader.
Identify the key elements of a leadership vision statement.
Draft your vision statement, ensuring it is clear, concise, and inspiring.

Attend Leadership Skills Development Workshop

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Enhance your leadership skills through practical exercises and interactive sessions in a structured workshop environment.

Browse courses on Leadership Skills

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Research and identify workshops that align with your leadership development goals.
Register and attend the workshop, actively participating in exercises and discussions.
Apply the techniques and strategies learned in the workshop to your own leadership practice.

Career center

Learners who complete Getting Started with Leadership will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Team Leader

Team Leaders are responsible for the day-to-day activities of their work group or team. They may assign work to team members, provide guidance and support, and evaluate performance. The Getting Started with Leadership course can help Team Leaders develop the skills they need to be successful, such as understanding the importance of context, identifying common challenges related to leadership, and explaining how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured. The course can help Team Leaders build a foundation for success in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Team Leader

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They may work with a team of people to complete a project, and they may need to manage resources and budgets. The Getting Started with Leadership course can help Project Managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as understanding the importance of context, identifying common challenges related to leadership, and explaining how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured. The course can help Project Managers build a foundation for success in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business or organization. They may oversee a team of employees, and they may be responsible for managing budgets and resources. The Getting Started with Leadership course can help Operations Managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as understanding the importance of context, identifying common challenges related to leadership, and explaining how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured. The course can help Operations Managers build a foundation for success in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

General Manager

General Managers are responsible for the overall operations of a business or organization. They may oversee a team of employees, and they may be responsible for managing budgets and resources. The Getting Started with Leadership course can help General Managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as understanding the importance of context, identifying common challenges related to leadership, and explaining how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured. The course can help General Managers build a foundation for success in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for General Manager

Department Manager

Department Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a department within a business or organization. They may oversee a team of employees, and they may be responsible for managing budgets and resources. The Getting Started with Leadership course can help Department Managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as understanding the importance of context, identifying common challenges related to leadership, and explaining how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured. The course can help Department Managers build a foundation for success in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Department Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing and improving business processes. They may work with stakeholders to identify problems and develop solutions. The Getting Started with Leadership course may be useful for Business Analysts, as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the importance of context, identify common challenges related to leadership, and explain how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants are responsible for providing advice to businesses and organizations on how to improve their operations. They may work with clients to identify problems and develop solutions. The Getting Started with Leadership course may be useful for Management Consultants, as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the importance of context, identify common challenges related to leadership, and explain how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They may work with a team of people to develop and implement marketing strategies. The Getting Started with Leadership course may be useful for Marketing Managers, as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the importance of context, identify common challenges related to leadership, and explain how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating a sales team. They may work with a team of people to develop and implement sales strategies. The Getting Started with Leadership course may be useful for Sales Managers, as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the importance of context, identify common challenges related to leadership, and explain how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources department of a business or organization. They may work with a team of people to develop and implement human resources policies and procedures. The Getting Started with Leadership course may be useful for Human Resources Managers, as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the importance of context, identify common challenges related to leadership, and explain how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured.

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Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officers are responsible for the overall operations of a business or organization. They may work with a team of people to develop and implement business strategies. The Getting Started with Leadership course may be useful for Chief Executive Officers, as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the importance of context, identify common challenges related to leadership, and explain how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured.

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Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business or organization. They may work with a team of people to develop and implement operational strategies. The Getting Started with Leadership course may be useful for Chief Operating Officers, as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the importance of context, identify common challenges related to leadership, and explain how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured.

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Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officers are responsible for the financial management of a business or organization. They may work with a team of people to develop and implement financial strategies. The Getting Started with Leadership course may be useful for Chief Financial Officers, as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the importance of context, identify common challenges related to leadership, and explain how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured.

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Leadership Development Professional

Leadership Development Professionals are responsible for developing and implementing leadership development programs for organizations. They may work with a team of people to design and deliver leadership development programs. The Getting Started with Leadership course may be useful for Leadership Development Professionals, as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the importance of context, identify common challenges related to leadership, and explain how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured.

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Organizational Development Professional

Organizational Development Professionals are responsible for developing and implementing organizational development programs for organizations. They may work with a team of people to design and deliver organizational development programs. The Getting Started with Leadership course may be useful for Organizational Development Professionals, as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the importance of context, identify common challenges related to leadership, and explain how leadership is impacted by the nature of how organizations are structured.

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