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Lessons on Wisdom

Personal Leadership for Your Life

Lessons on Wisdom: Personal Leadership for Your Life is the culmination of four decades of studying and sharing about leaders and life for Professor Sydney Finkelstein. This course will teach you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. It is a personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow. In it, you will be asked to think differently about who you are and what you do, so that you can take charge of your own life. By understanding nuance and paradox, by learning who you are as an individual, you will find yourself a wiser—and perhaps even happier—person.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Personal Leadership - The Art of Change

How to Be a Creative Leader

Life Hacks for Leaders

Personal Leadership - Learning, Wisdom, and Impact

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

May be well suited for people who want to develop their leadership skills both personally and professionally

May be well suited for people who want to grow and change as an individual

May be well suited for people who want to increase their wisdom and perhaps even happiness

May be well suited for people who want to take charge of their own life

May be well suited for people who want to understand nuance and paradox

May be well suited for people who want to explore personal leadership

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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 Lessons on Wisdom: Personal Leadership for Your Life with these activities:

Explore Online Courses or Workshops on Mindfulness and Self-Awareness

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Enhancing self-awareness and mindfulness can help you better understand your strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, leading to more effective leadership.

Browse courses on Mindfulness

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Identify online courses or workshops that focus on mindfulness and self-awareness.
Enroll in a course or workshop and actively participate in the learning activities.
Apply the techniques and practices learned to your daily life.

Practice Active Listening and Empathy Skills

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Develop strong active listening and empathy skills to enhance your ability to connect with others and build effective relationships.

Browse courses on Active Listening

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Practice active listening by paying full attention to others when they speak.
Demonstrate empathy by understanding and acknowledging others' feelings and perspectives.
Engage in role-playing exercises to simulate real-life communication situations.

Read 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People'

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Review the central ideas and principles of personal leadership and effectiveness outlined in this classic book.

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Purchase and read the book.
Take notes on key concepts and insights.
Apply the principles to your own life and leadership style.

Four other activities

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Develop a Personal Leadership Development Plan

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Create a tailored plan to identify your leadership strengths, areas for improvement, and specific actions to enhance your leadership capabilities.

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Reflect on your current leadership skills and identify areas where you want to grow.
Research and explore different leadership development opportunities.
Create a written plan outlining your goals, objectives, and action steps.
Monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

Develop a Personal Leadership Philosophy Statement

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Articulate your own personal leadership philosophy and values to guide your actions and decision-making.

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Reflect on your values, beliefs, and experiences that shape your leadership approach.
Write a draft statement that outlines your personal leadership philosophy.
Seek feedback from trusted individuals and refine your statement.
Share your personal leadership philosophy with others to inspire and motivate.

Join or Start a Leadership Discussion Group

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Engage with peers to exchange ideas, share experiences, and support each other's leadership development.

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Identify or join a leadership discussion group or online forum.
Participate actively in discussions, sharing your perspectives and insights.
Listen attentively to others' experiences and viewpoints.
Collaborate with group members on leadership projects or initiatives.

Volunteer in a Community Organization Related to Your Leadership Interests

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Gain practical leadership experience and make a positive impact in your community by volunteering in an organization aligned with your passions.

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Identify a community organization that aligns with your leadership interests.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Participate in volunteer activities and take on leadership roles within the organization.
Reflect on your experiences and identify transferable skills and lessons learned.

Career center

Learners who complete Lessons on Wisdom: Personal Leadership for Your Life will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Life Coach

Life Coaches help clients identify and achieve their personal goals. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Life Coaches who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to help their clients achieve their goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Life Coach

Personal Leadership Coach

Personal Leadership Coaches help clients develop and achieve their personal and professional goals. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Personal Leadership Coaches who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to help their clients achieve their goals.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are responsible for starting and running their own businesses. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Entrepreneurs who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Teacher

Teachers are responsible for educating and inspiring students. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Teachers who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Executive

Executives are responsible for leading and managing organizations. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Executives who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Executive

Business Owner

Business Owners are responsible for the overall success of their businesses. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Business Owners who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Owner

Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice and guidance to organizations and individuals. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Consultants who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Manager

Managers are responsible for leading and motivating teams of employees. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Managers who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manager

President

Presidents are responsible for leading and managing colleges and universities. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Presidents who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for President

Vice President

Vice Presidents are responsible for leading and managing specific areas of colleges and universities. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Vice Presidents who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Vice President

Dean

Deans are responsible for leading and managing academic departments and programs. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Deans who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

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Provost

Provosts are responsible for leading and managing academic affairs at colleges and universities. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Provosts who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

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Chancellor

Chancellors are responsible for leading and managing university systems. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Chancellors who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

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Athletic Director

Athletic Directors are responsible for leading and managing athletic programs at colleges and universities. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Athletic Directors who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Athletic Director

Professor

Professors are responsible for teaching and conducting research at colleges and universities. This course teaches you how to be a wise leader both personally and professionally. The course description says it is a "personal, meaningful course that encourages all participants to change and grow." This course may be useful for Professors who want to learn more about personal leadership and how to be more effective in their roles.

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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 Lessons on Wisdom: Personal Leadership for Your Life.

A Mission Statement for Your Life

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A classic work on personal effectiveness and leadership, offering principles that align with the course's focus on personal growth and leadership development.

Lessons on Wisdom

Personal Leadership for Your Life

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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