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Kathryn Tobey

Being a successful leader in complex technical organization requires being ultimately accountable for your team’s performance and meeting commitments to all your stakeholders. This second Leading Technical Organizations course, "Accountability and Employee Engagement", explores how organizational leaders use different decision-making processes for different situations and that they are ultimately accountable for all results. You will also learn how a company’s culture affects strategy, risk and meeting stakeholder commitments.

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Being a successful leader in complex technical organization requires being ultimately accountable for your team’s performance and meeting commitments to all your stakeholders. This second Leading Technical Organizations course, "Accountability and Employee Engagement", explores how organizational leaders use different decision-making processes for different situations and that they are ultimately accountable for all results. You will also learn how a company’s culture affects strategy, risk and meeting stakeholder commitments.

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

Personal Accountability, Team Accountability and Culture of Accountability
This module leads off the second course in the Leading Technical Organizations Specialization that is the third specialization in the University of Colorado’s (CU’s) Engineering Management Program (EMP) leadership progression. This module explorers personal accountability, team accountability and how those contribute to an overall culture of accountability. Learners will study how great leaders, who are truly personally accountable, not allow excuses to veil their accountability for their results.​
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Tailored for leaders and managers in technical organizations, focusing on accountability and employee engagement
Explores the relationship between personal accountability, team accountability, and organizational culture
Provides insights into strategic decision-making processes, risk management, leading change, and conflict resolution
Features guest speakers with expertise in culture change and ethical decision-making
Emphasizes the importance of authentic leadership and ethical behavior
Requires learners to engage with a peer-reviewed paper on ethical decision-making

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Reviews summary

Practical leadership and organizational effectiveness

According to students, this course offers a largely positive and highly practical approach to leadership and organizational effectiveness. Learners praise its engaging content, real-world examples, and knowledgeable instructors. The guest speakers are frequently highlighted for adding immense value and diverse perspectives. While many found the course provided actionable strategies that they could apply immediately, a few expressed a desire for more in-depth application or interactive elements, suggesting some sections might feel a bit theoretical or rushed for certain learners. Overall, it's considered beneficial for technical leaders seeking to enhance their skills in accountability and employee engagement.
Mixed opinions on whether the course provides sufficient actionable strategies.
"This course helped me refine my understanding of accountability and employee engagement beyond theoretical concepts."
"The topics are important, but the course often felt like a series of general leadership principles rather than actionable strategies... It's a decent theoretical overview, but not as practical as I'd hoped."
"The culture change module was interesting, but I felt some of the advice was a bit high-level and lacked actionable specifics for smaller organizations."
"This course provided invaluable tools and frameworks for navigating difficult conversations... The mediation and negotiation strategies were particularly useful."
Guest speakers add significant value and diverse, real-world perspectives.
"I also gained a lot from the module on changing culture and the insights shared by Brynn Watson."
"The guest speakers, especially T.J. Hasty on ethical decision-making, added immense value and different perspectives."
"The guest speakers were a highlight, adding diverse perspectives and real-world experience."
Instructors are knowledgeable, clear, and passionate about the subject.
"The instructors made the content interesting and easy to understand. I especially liked the many stories and examples they used to illustrate their points."
"The instructor's delivery was clear and concise, making complex topics easy to grasp."
"The instructors were fantastic, bringing a wealth of experience and clearly passionate about the subject matter."
"The instructors were very knowledgeable. It definitely broadens one's perspective on how to drive engagement and accountability effectively."
Provides strategies directly applicable to real-world leadership roles.
"The course content was engaging and relevant, providing practical insights into leadership and organizational behavior. I particularly appreciated the real-world examples..."
"This course helped me refine my understanding of accountability and employee engagement beyond theoretical concepts. The structured approach to decision-making and practical strategies for conflict resolution were particularly valuable."
"This course provided practical tools and strategies that I could immediately apply in my role."
"The emphasis on real-world applicability was consistent throughout, making the learning directly transferable to my role."
Some complex topics may feel rushed, requiring additional self-study.
"Some parts felt a bit rushed, especially the more complex decision-making models. I would have appreciated more time or additional examples for these sections."
"My main critique is that sometimes the video lectures felt a bit dry, and I found myself relying heavily on the readings to grasp concepts fully."
"The course often felt like a series of general leadership principles rather than actionable strategies. I craved more direct application and 'how-to' advice..."

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 Accountability and Employee Engagement with these activities:
Organize and Prepare Study Materials
Enhance focus and retention by organizing notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams from the course.
Show steps
  • Gather and collect all relevant course materials.
  • Sort and categorize materials by topic or module.
  • Create a logical and structured system for organizing materials.
  • Review and consolidate materials regularly to strengthen understanding.
Delve into 'Decision-Making Strategies' Tutorials
Enhance decision-making abilities by exploring tutorials on various frameworks and models for effective decision-making.
Browse courses on Decision-Making
Show steps
  • Identify reputable sources for decision-making tutorials.
  • Follow step-by-step guidance on specific frameworks and models.
  • Practice applying these models to real-life scenarios.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of different decision-making approaches.
Explore 'Leading Change' by John P. Kotter
Gain insights into effective change management strategies and develop skills for leading successful transformations.
Show steps
  • Read and analyze key chapters on change management principles and models.
  • Identify and apply concepts to real-world scenarios.
  • Summarize and present key takeaways to peers or colleagues.
Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Engage in Discussion Forums on Course Content
Foster collaboration and deepen understanding by actively participating in discussions, sharing perspectives, and engaging with peers.
Show steps
  • Actively participate in online discussion forums.
  • Contribute thoughtful questions, comments, and insights.
  • Engage with peers and respond to their contributions.
  • Seek clarification and share knowledge with others.
Develop a Risk Management Plan
Apply course concepts to practical scenarios by creating a comprehensive risk management plan, identifying risks, and developing mitigation strategies.
Browse courses on Risk Management
Show steps
  • Identify potential risks and their likelihood and impact.
  • Develop and evaluate risk mitigation strategies.
  • Create a comprehensive risk management plan.
  • Present the plan and seek feedback from peers or industry professionals.
Share Knowledge as a Peer Mentor
Enhance your understanding by guiding and supporting fellow learners, reinforcing concepts, and developing leadership skills.
Browse courses on Mentorship
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities to mentor fellow students.
  • Provide guidance, support, and encouragement.
  • Share knowledge and insights from your own learning experience.
  • Facilitate discussions and encourage critical thinking.
Attend a Workshop on Conflict Resolution
Develop essential skills for effectively managing conflicts, fostering collaboration, and maintaining positive relationships in the workplace.
Browse courses on Conflict Resolution
Show steps
  • Identify and register for a relevant workshop on conflict resolution.
  • Actively participate in the workshop and engage with facilitators.
  • Practice conflict resolution techniques and strategies.
  • Reflect on the workshop experience and apply learnings to real-world scenarios.
Participate in a Business Case Competition
Test your abilities, collaborate with teammates, and gain practical experience by participating in a business case competition that simulates real-world challenges.
Browse courses on Problem Solving
Show steps
  • Identify and register for a suitable business case competition.
  • Form a team and assign roles and responsibilities.
  • Analyze the case, conduct research, and develop a comprehensive solution.
  • Present your solution and defend your recommendations to a panel of judges.
  • Reflect on the competition experience, identify areas for improvement, and transfer learnings to your professional development.

Career center

Learners who complete Accountability and Employee Engagement will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Engineering Manager
Engineering Managers are responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of a team of engineers. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Engineering Managers develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Engineering Managers who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Program Manager
Program Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Program Managers develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Program Managers who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Project Managers develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Project Managers who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Technical Lead
Technical Leads are responsible for leading teams of engineers in the development of technical products. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Technical Leads develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Technical Leads who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Engineering Director
Engineering Directors are responsible for leading teams of engineers in the development of technical products. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Engineering Directors develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Engineering Directors who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Technology Officers are responsible for leading the technology strategy of an organization. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Chief Technology Officers develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Chief Technology Officers who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Product Managers develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Product Managers who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Operations Managers develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Operations Managers who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
General Manager
General Managers are responsible for the overall operation of an organization. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help General Managers develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for General Managers who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
CEO
CEOs are responsible for the overall success of an organization. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help CEOs develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for CEOs who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Consultant
Consultants are hired to help organizations solve problems. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Consultants develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Consultants who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Entrepreneurs develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Entrepreneurs who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts analyze business problems and develop solutions. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Business Analysts develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Business Analysts who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course can help Data Scientists develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Data Scientists who want to be able to lead their teams to success.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design and develop software applications. They must be able to make decisions, manage risk, and lead change. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to move into a management or leadership role. The course covers topics such as personal accountability, team accountability, strategic decision-making, and leading change. These topics are all essential for Software Engineers who want to be able to lead their teams to success.

Reading list

We've selected 14 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 Accountability and Employee Engagement.
Offers practical advice on how to be more effective in your role, even when you don't have direct authority over others. It valuable resource for leaders who want to improve their accountability and engagement with their teams.
Provides practical advice on how to have difficult conversations in a constructive way. It valuable resource for leaders who want to improve their communication skills and build stronger relationships with their team.
This classic book provides a comprehensive framework for personal and professional effectiveness. It valuable resource for leaders who want to improve their habits and achieve their goals.
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Explores the science of motivation and provides insights into what drives people to perform at their best. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a more motivating and engaging work environment.
Provides a framework for building a great company. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a sustainable and successful organization.
Explores the challenges that companies face when they try to innovate. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a more innovative and adaptable organization.
Provides a framework for building a successful startup. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a more innovative and adaptable organization.
Provides a practical guide to getting customers for your startup. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a more successful and sustainable organization.
Explores the secrets of highly successful groups. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a more positive and productive work environment.
Explores the power of introverts. It valuable resource for leaders who want to create a more inclusive and diverse work environment.

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