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Leadership

Getting Started

Leadership skills can be learned, practiced, and improved. This course introduces you to some of the most important leadership skills you can work on, modeled by organizational leaders and talked about by leadership thought leaders.

Leadership skills are in demand across the world, and in every organization. In this course, Leadership: Getting Started, you’ll learn what leadership skills can add value to your career. First, you’ll explore what leadership is, contrasting it with management, and learning about leadership styles. Next, you’ll learn about leadership principles from leadership thought leaders, and from outstanding leaders in industry. Finally, you’ll discover how to apply leadership ideas regardless of your title. When you're finished with this course, you’ll have knowledge of leadership skills that can help your career and teams you lead.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Introduction to Leadership

Leadership Thought Leaders

Leadership Examples

Leadership Principles When You Aren’t the Leader

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the intersection of leadership with organizational and industry contexts

Provides clear definitions of leadership in contrast with management

Develops leadership skills regardless of hierarchical position

Presents principles and ideas from notable leaders and experts

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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 Leadership: Getting Started with these activities:

Review leadership foundations

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Refresh your understanding of the basic principles of leadership to set a strong foundation for the course.

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Review notes or textbooks on leadership concepts.
Attend a workshop or webinar on leadership.
Read articles or books on leadership.

Identify and connect with mentors or role models

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Seek guidance and support from experienced leaders to accelerate your development and gain valuable insights.

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Identify potential mentors or role models within your network or industry.
Reach out to them and express your interest in mentorship.
Establish clear expectations and goals for the mentoring relationship.

Participate in leadership simulations or case studies

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Apply leadership principles and techniques to real-world scenarios to enhance your understanding.

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Identify a leadership simulation or case study.
Prepare for the simulation or case study by researching the topic.
Participate in the simulation or case study, taking on a leadership role.
Reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement.

Four other activities

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Engage in peer discussions and group projects

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Collaborate with peers to share insights, support each other, and enhance your leadership skills.

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Identify opportunities for peer discussions or group projects.
Actively participate in discussions, sharing your perspectives and listening to others.
Contribute to group projects, taking on leadership roles and coordinating with others.

Mentor or coach junior colleagues or peers

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Practice your leadership skills by guiding and supporting others in their development journey.

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Identify opportunities to mentor or coach others.
Establish clear goals and expectations with your mentees or coachees.
Provide guidance, support, and feedback to help them grow and develop.

Participate in leadership competitions or hackathons

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Challenge yourself and test your leadership abilities in competitive settings to accelerate your growth.

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Identify and register for relevant leadership competitions or hackathons.
Prepare thoroughly by researching the competition format and developing strategies.
Participate in the competition and showcase your leadership skills.
Reflect on your performance, identify areas for improvement, and seek feedback from judges or mentors.

Compile a leadership resource guide or toolkit

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Create a valuable resource that consolidates useful materials, tools, and references to support your leadership journey.

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Identify and gather relevant resources, such as books, articles, websites, and tools.
Organize and categorize the resources into a coherent framework.
Create a user-friendly guide or toolkit that makes it easy to access and utilize the resources.

Career center

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

Educational Leadership Consultant

Educational Leadership Consultants plan, coordinate, and manage educational programs and services. They may play a role in developing curriculum, creating professional development, and evaluating teachers. Leadership skills are crucial for Educational Leadership Consultants to effectively manage staff and lead their team to success. This course may help Educational Leadership Consultants build their leadership skills, enabling them to become more effective in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Leadership Consultant

Organizational Development Manager

Organizational Development Managers are responsible for developing and implementing programs that improve employee performance and organizational effectiveness. They may lead efforts to improve communication, collaboration, and leadership development. This course can help Organizational Development Managers enhance their leadership skills, allowing them to create and lead more effective programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Manager

Executive Coach

Executive Coaches partner with executives and leaders to help them improve their performance and achieve their goals. They may provide guidance on leadership, communication, and strategic planning. This course may help Executive Coaches enhance their leadership skills, enabling them to provide more effective coaching to their clients.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They may lead teams, manage budgets, and ensure project deliverables are met on time and within budget. This course can help Project Managers enhance their leadership skills, enabling them to effectively lead their teams and deliver successful projects.

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Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating programs and projects. They may oversee budgets, manage teams, and report on progress. This course can help Program Managers develop their leadership skills, allowing them to effectively lead their teams and achieve project success.

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Training and Development Manager

Training and Development Managers are responsible for developing and delivering training programs for employees. They may assess training needs, design curricula, and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs. This course can help Training and Development Managers enhance their leadership skills, enabling them to effectively lead their teams and deliver effective training programs.

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Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for generating new business and growing revenue for their organizations. They may lead teams, identify new opportunities, and develop marketing and sales strategies. This course may help Business Development Managers build their leadership skills, enabling them to effectively manage their teams and drive business growth.

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Innovation Manager

Innovation Managers are responsible for leading innovation efforts within their organizations. They may develop new products, processes, or services, and manage teams of researchers and engineers. This course can help Innovation Managers enhance their leadership skills, enabling them to effectively lead their teams and drive innovation.

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Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and controlling the flow of goods and materials within their organizations. They may oversee inventory, transportation, and logistics, as well as manage suppliers and vendors. This course can help Supply Chain Managers develop their leadership skills, allowing them to effectively lead their teams and manage the supply chain.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of their organizations. They may manage budgets, staff, and equipment, as well as ensure that operations are efficient and effective. This course can help Operations Managers develop their leadership skills, allowing them to effectively lead their teams and achieve operational excellence.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing all aspects of human resources for their organizations. They may oversee employee recruitment, training, and development, as well as compensation and benefits. This course can help Human Resources Managers develop their leadership skills, allowing them to effectively lead their teams and manage human capital.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading sales teams and achieving sales targets. They may develop sales strategies, manage sales pipelines, and coach and develop sales representatives. This course can help Sales Managers enhance their leadership skills, enabling them to effectively lead their teams and drive sales success.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns for their organizations. They may oversee marketing budgets, manage teams, and track campaign performance. This course can help Marketing Managers build their leadership skills, enabling them to effectively lead their teams and drive marketing success.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for managing the development and launch of products. They may conduct market research, develop product specifications, and work with engineers and designers to bring products to market. This course can help Product Managers develop their leadership skills, allowing them to effectively lead their teams and deliver successful products.

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Account Manager

Account Managers are responsible for managing relationships with key customers. They may provide customer support, resolve issues, and identify opportunities for growth. This course may help Account Managers build their leadership skills, enabling them to effectively manage their accounts and drive customer satisfaction.

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Reading list

We've selected 19 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 Leadership: Getting Started.

Introduction to Leadership

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Provides a comprehensive overview of leadership theories and practices, covering both classic and contemporary approaches. It valuable resource for students and practitioners who want to deepen their understanding of leadership.

Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice

Paperback

$$$$

Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice

Paperback

$$$$

Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice

Paperback

$$$

Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice

Paperback

Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice