Leadership Style and Building a High-Performance Team from Coursera

Leadership of complex technical organizations is being challenged by the rapid pace of technology development, innovation and the new flexible workplace where employees working from anywhere demand to be engaged, motivated and recognized. This first Leading Technical Organizations course, "Leadership Style and Building a High-Performance Team", explores your personal leadership style, how value is created, how a leader multiplies their abilities by building high performance teams, and how your executive presence is essential to be a leader of leaders.

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.

What's inside

Syllabus

Leadership and Your Personal Style and Strengths

This module will introduce the Leading Technical Organizations Specialization and describe how it fits into the University of Colorado’s (CU’s) Engineering Management Program (EMP) leadership progression. The learner will also complete assessments that will inform them about their predominant personality type and strengths. This unique personality type and strength information will be used to throughout this course and specialization to create peer-reviewed responses that are unique to the learner.

Reaching Your Full Leadership Potential

This module will give learners six specific areas to focus on throughout their career in order to meet their full leadership potential. It will discuss how leadership expectations have changed and how corporate organizational structure vary and are evolving. It will introduce a fictitious corporation called “LTO” that will be used as a backdrop for Leadership Learning Scenarios across the course and specialization.

Building a High-Performance Team

This Module starts with an examination into the importance of developing individuals and how that is critical to outstanding performance of the whole organization. It then introduces the importance of embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and the associated benefits, and concludes with the question; “are you ready to take the Leadership Leap?”

Executive Presence and Why it Matters

This Module is dedicated to the analysis of executive presence, different models that help learners to understand it and ultimately taking an introspective look to define how you want to shape your executive presence. Personality type and strength assessments from module #1 will help learners form the executive presence that is best suited for them.

Leading Through Leaders

This final Module in Course #1 of Leading Technical Organizations examines aspects of building an effective team with an emphasis on leading through leaders. The concepts of career and succession planning as well as delegation are important because they are some of the first responsibilities that leaders of leaders are often exposed to.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops understanding about different personality types and how they relate to leadership styles

Provides opportunities to understand career and succession planning, which are key aspects of managing technical teams

Taught by an industry professional with significant experience in leading technical organizations

Focuses on executive presence which is an essential skill for aspiring leaders

Emphasizes the importance of building high-performance teams

Explores concepts of organizational structure and their impact on leadership

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 Leadership Style and Building a High-Performance Team with these activities:

Practice Team Management and Collaboration Techniques

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Start the course with a solid understanding of the skills and techniques used in team management and collaboration to ensure success in future coursework.

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Review notes and resources from previous courses or workshops on team management and collaboration.
Participate in online forums or discussion groups to engage with peers and discuss best practices.
Research and explore case studies or articles on effective team management and collaboration.

Engage in Leadership Style Assessments and Skill Building Exercises

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Complete assessments and exercises to identify your leadership style and develop essential leadership skills for success in the course and your career.

Browse courses on Leadership Styles

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Take personality assessments to understand your strengths and weaknesses as a leader.
Practice leadership skills through simulations, role-playing, or case studies.
Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or instructors to improve your leadership abilities.

Review 'The Effective Manager' by Peter Drucker

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Gain valuable insights into management principles and effective leadership practices by reading this classic book.

View Hbr's 10 Must Reads for New Managers Collection on Amazon

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Read and summarize key chapters of the book.
Identify and apply relevant concepts to your own leadership style and goals.

Four other activities

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Explore Online Courses or Workshops on Building High-Performance Teams

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Supplement your understanding of building high-performance teams by exploring additional resources and tutorials.

Browse courses on Team Building

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Identify reputable online courses or workshops on team building.
Enroll in a course or workshop that aligns with your learning goals.
Actively participate in the course or workshop, completing assignments and engaging in discussions.

Attend Virtual or In-Person Industry Events and Conferences

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Expand your professional network and gain insights from industry experts by attending relevant events.

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Research and identify industry events or conferences that align with your interests.
Register and attend the events, actively participating in workshops, presentations, and networking sessions.
Follow up with individuals you met and continue to build relationships.

Lead Peer Study Groups or Mentoring Sessions

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Reinforce your understanding of course concepts by leading peer study groups or mentoring other students.

Browse courses on Mentorship

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Identify peers who would benefit from your guidance and support.
Organize study sessions or mentoring meetings on a regular basis.
Facilitate discussions, provide guidance, and answer questions related to the course material.

Develop a Leadership Development Plan

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Create a personalized plan to enhance your leadership skills and advance your career.

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Assess your current skills and identify areas for improvement.
Set specific and measurable goals for your leadership development.
Outline a plan of action, including resources, timelines, and evaluation methods.

Career center

Learners who complete Leadership Style and Building a High-Performance Team will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Engineering Manager

Engineering managers are responsible for leading and managing teams of engineers. They ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget, and that the team is working effectively together. This course can help engineering managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to lead through leaders, and how to develop their executive presence. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineering Manager

Project Manager

Project managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. They work with stakeholders to define the project scope, develop the project plan, and track the project's progress. This course can help project managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to manage conflict, and how to communicate effectively. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Operations Manager

Operations managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work with employees to ensure that the organization is running smoothly and efficiently. This course can help operations managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to manage conflict, and how to communicate effectively. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

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Technical Director

Technical directors are responsible for the technical aspects of an organization's operations. They work with engineers to develop and implement new technologies, and they ensure that the organization's technical infrastructure is running smoothly. This course can help technical directors develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to manage conflict, and how to communicate effectively. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Director

Software Development Manager

Software development managers are responsible for leading and managing teams of software developers. They work with stakeholders to define the software requirements, develop the software design, and track the software's progress. This course can help software development managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to manage conflict, and how to communicate effectively. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Development Manager

Information Technology Manager

Information technology managers are responsible for the planning, implementation, and management of an organization's IT systems. They work with users to identify their needs, develop IT solutions, and ensure that the IT systems are running smoothly. This course can help information technology managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to manage conflict, and how to communicate effectively. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Manager

Business Analyst

Business analysts are responsible for analyzing an organization's business needs and developing solutions to improve the organization's performance. They work with stakeholders to identify the problem, develop the solution, and track the solution's progress. This course can help business analysts develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to manage conflict, and how to communicate effectively. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Management Consultant

Management consultants are responsible for helping organizations to improve their performance. They work with clients to identify the problem, develop the solution, and implement the solution. This course can help management consultants develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to manage conflict, and how to communicate effectively. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers are responsible for the planning, implementation, and management of an organization's human resources policies and programs. They work with employees to ensure that the organization is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations, and they develop and implement programs to improve the organization's employee relations. This course can help human resources managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to manage conflict, and how to communicate effectively. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers are responsible for the planning, implementation, and management of an organization's marketing campaigns. They work with customers to identify their needs, develop marketing strategies, and track the campaigns' progress. This course can help marketing managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to manage conflict, and how to communicate effectively. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

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Sales Manager

Sales managers are responsible for the planning, implementation, and management of an organization's sales force. They work with salespeople to identify leads, develop sales strategies, and track the sales force's progress. This course can help sales managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to manage conflict, and how to communicate effectively. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

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Financial Manager

Financial managers are responsible for the planning, implementation, and management of an organization's financial resources. They work with stakeholders to identify the organization's financial needs, develop financial plans, and track the organization's financial performance. This course can help financial managers develop the skills they need to be successful, such as how to build a high-performance team, how to manage conflict, and how to communicate effectively. It can also help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, which can help them to become more effective leaders.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts are responsible for using mathematical and statistical techniques to solve problems in a variety of industries. They work with clients to identify the problem, develop the solution, and implement the solution. This course may be useful for operations research analysts who want to develop their leadership skills. It can help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, and it can teach them how to build a high-performance team.

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Statistician

Statisticians are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. They work with clients to identify the problem, develop the solution, and implement the solution. This course may be useful for statisticians who want to develop their leadership skills. It can help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, and it can teach them how to build a high-performance team.

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Data Scientist

Data scientists are responsible for using data to solve problems in a variety of industries. They work with clients to identify the problem, develop the solution, and implement the solution. This course may be useful for data scientists who want to develop their leadership skills. It can help them to understand their own leadership style and strengths, and it can teach them how to build a high-performance team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist