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Daniel Moorer

This course describes the traits of Great Leaders who combine fierce resolve with personal humility. Indeed, they might be described more as “plow horses” as opposed to “show horses”. They see themselves as servants to the team and to the organization. They “hold the line” when faced with tough decisions and “do what must be done” when the time comes. Their leadership is based on solid ethical principles and they act with quiet, calm determination.

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This course describes the traits of Great Leaders who combine fierce resolve with personal humility. Indeed, they might be described more as “plow horses” as opposed to “show horses”. They see themselves as servants to the team and to the organization. They “hold the line” when faced with tough decisions and “do what must be done” when the time comes. Their leadership is based on solid ethical principles and they act with quiet, calm determination.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Vision, Courage, and Resilience
Understand the value of vision, courage, and resilience as a leader.
Positive Outlook, Responsibility, and Collaboration
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Understand the value of positive outlook, responsibility, and collaboration as a leader.
Growing as a Leader and Avoiding Difficulty
Understand the value of continuing to grow as a leader while avoiding pitfalls.
Personal Effectiveness as a Leader in the Workplace
To survive as a leader in today's workplace, it is necessary for the leader to have some proficiency in various specialties. These include negotiation, office politics, stakeholder management, and having a mentor. Each of these helps the leader to negotiate the environment in which they will find themselves.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches skills, knowledge, and/or tools that are highly relevant in an academic setting
Develops professional skills or deep expertise in a particular topic or set of topics
Examines x, which is highly relevant to y
Taught by x, who are recognized for their work in x
Strong reputation of one or more instructors who are recognized for their work in the topic that the course teaches
Explores x, which is standard in industry y

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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 A Technical Leader's Qualities and Effectiveness with these activities:
Review communication and interpersonal skills
Strengthen your communication and interpersonal skills to effectively convey your vision, build relationships, and inspire your team.
Browse courses on Communication Skills
Show steps
  • Practice active listening and empathy
  • Improve your verbal and non-verbal communication
  • Develop conflict resolution and negotiation skills
Develop a personal leadership development plan
Create a tailored plan to guide your leadership growth, identifying areas for improvement and outlining specific actions to achieve your goals.
Browse courses on Personal Development Plan
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  • Assess your current leadership strengths and weaknesses
  • Set specific and measurable leadership development goals
  • Identify resources, mentors, and experiences to support your growth
  • Regularly review and update your plan as you progress
Develop a leadership vision statement
Craft a compelling leadership vision statement that articulates your values and aspirations, guiding your actions and inspiring others.
Browse courses on Vision Statements
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  • Reflect on your personal values and beliefs
  • Define the purpose and goals of your leadership
  • Draft a vision statement that is clear, concise, and inspiring
  • Share your vision statement with others for feedback and refinement
Five other activities
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Engage in peer discussions on leadership qualities
Compare and contrast different leadership qualities, fostering a deeper understanding of their impact on team dynamics.
Browse courses on Leadership Qualities
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  • Share personal experiences and insights on effective leadership
  • Discuss challenges and obstacles faced by leaders
  • Identify areas for personal growth and development
Practice applying principles of ethical leadership
Solidify your understanding of ethical leadership principles by practicing their application in various scenarios.
Browse courses on Ethical Leadership
Show steps
  • Identify ethical dilemmas that leaders may face
  • Analyze case studies and determine appropriate ethical responses
  • Role-play leadership situations that involve ethical decision-making
Design a presentation on a leadership topic
Enhance your communication and leadership skills by crafting a compelling presentation that effectively conveys your ideas and inspires your audience.
Browse courses on Public Speaking
Show steps
  • Choose a relevant leadership topic and develop a clear presentation outline
  • Conduct research and gather supporting evidence
  • Design visually appealing and engaging slides
  • Practice delivering your presentation and gather feedback
Explore online leadership development programs
Enhance your leadership skills by accessing valuable online resources and guided tutorials that provide practical insights and exercises.
Browse courses on Leadership Development
Show steps
  • Research and identify reputable online leadership development programs
  • Enroll in courses that align with your specific leadership needs
  • Actively engage with the course materials and participate in discussions
Read 'Good to Great' by Jim Collins
Gain insights into the characteristics and practices of exceptional leaders and organizations by exploring the research findings presented in this book.
Show steps
  • Identify the key principles of leadership effectiveness
  • Analyze case studies of successful and unsuccessful organizations
  • Apply the lessons learned to your own leadership journey

Career center

Learners who complete A Technical Leader's Qualities and Effectiveness will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Engineering Manager
An Engineering Manager is accountable for the technical health of a product. They also oversee the people, processes, and technology that goes into creating it. A solid understanding of how to lead a team with vision and determination is critical. This course explains how to do just that.
Technical Lead
Holding the reins of technical projects can be challenging and rewarding. Technical Leads are primarily responsible for directing a team of engineers and ensuring the team delivers excellent work on time and within budget. This course can help a Technical Lead by demonstrating how to inspire team members, motivate them, and create a vision that the entire team can get behind and support.
Software Development Manager
Software Development Managers plan, execute, and oversee the development of new software products. They also manage the team of engineers and other professionals who work on these projects. This course can be helpful for Software Development Managers looking to refine their leadership approach, cultivate a strong team culture, and build consensus for their project roadmap.
Quality Assurance Manager
Quality Assurance Managers oversee the quality of products and services to ensure that they meet customer requirements. They also develop and implement quality control processes and procedures. This course can be helpful for Quality Assurance Managers to develop the leadership skills needed to motivate a quality assurance team and create processes that contribute to delivering high quality products.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, execute, and oversee projects from start to finish. This involves leading a team of people to deliver a project on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course covers the leadership traits and strategies needed for project managers to achieve success.
Technical Program Manager
Technical Program Managers work with multiple engineering teams to manage complex development efforts. This course can be helpful for Technical Program Managers by teaching them strategies to prioritize projects, allocate resources, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineers design, develop, and integrate complex systems. They also work with other engineers and stakeholders to ensure that systems meet customer requirements. This course may be useful for Systems Engineers who want to improve their leadership skills and learn how to better manage and motivate a team.
Technical Architect
Technical Architects design and develop the architecture of software systems. They also work with other engineers to ensure that systems are scalable, reliable, and secure. This course can help Technical Architects to strengthen their leadership skills and learn how to effectively communicate with stakeholders.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the overall success of a product. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to define the product vision and roadmap. This course may be helpful for Product Managers who want to develop their leadership skills and learn how to better manage and motivate a team.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. They work with a variety of tools and techniques to analyze data and extract insights. This course can be helpful for Data Scientists who want to develop their leadership skills and learn how to better present their findings to stakeholders.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course can be helpful for Data Analysts who want to develop their leadership skills and learn how to better communicate their findings to stakeholders.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and test software systems. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies to create software that meets customer requirements. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to develop their leadership skills and learn how to better manage and motivate a team.
Computer Scientist
Computer Scientists research and develop new computing technologies. They also design and implement software systems. This course may be useful for Computer Scientists who want to develop their leadership skills and learn how to better manage and motivate a team.
Information Systems Manager
Information Systems Managers plan, implement, and oversee the use of information systems in an organization. They work with users to identify their needs and develop systems that meet those needs. This course may be useful for Information Systems Managers who want to develop their leadership skills and learn how to better manage and motivate a team.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity Analysts protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful for Cybersecurity Analysts who want to develop their leadership skills and learn how to better manage and motivate a team.

Reading list

We've selected 13 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 A Technical Leader's Qualities and Effectiveness.
This classic book on leadership and personal effectiveness provides a comprehensive framework for developing the habits and skills necessary for success.
Presents a research-based model of leadership and provides practical advice for leaders at all levels. It includes case studies, exercises, and tools for developing leadership skills.
Explores the challenges faced by established organizations in adapting to disruptive innovation. It provides insights into the factors that lead to innovation and failure, and offers strategies for overcoming the innovator's dilemma.
Presents a framework for building great companies. It identifies the key factors that differentiate good companies from great companies, and provides practical advice for leaders who want to achieve greatness.
Provides a practical guide to building successful startups using the lean methodology. It emphasizes the importance of experimentation, iteration, and customer feedback, and offers tools and techniques for implementing lean principles in your own startup.
Explores the concept of mindset and its impact on success. It shows how a growth mindset can lead to greater resilience, motivation, and achievement, and provides strategies for developing a growth mindset in yourself and others.
This classic work on military strategy provides insights into the principles of leadership and decision-making. It offers practical advice for leaders in any field, and has been studied and applied by leaders for centuries.
Presents a comprehensive framework for understanding and practicing leadership. It identifies the key elements of leadership, and provides practical advice for leaders at all levels.
Explores the concept of authentic leadership and its importance for organizational success. It provides insights into the qualities and behaviors of authentic leaders, and offers practical advice for developing your own authentic leadership style.
Provides a practical guide to building a strong leadership pipeline within an organization. It identifies the key stages in the leadership development process, and offers advice for developing and promoting leaders at all levels.
Explores the five key skills of disruptive innovators. It provides practical advice for developing these skills and applying them to your own organization.
Presents a fable about a dysfunctional team and the five dysfunctions that prevent it from achieving its full potential. It offers practical advice for overcoming these dysfunctions and building a high-performing team.

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