Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions from Coursera

*Broadening leadership competences to navigate economic, social and ecological challenges in wind energy transitions*

This course is designed to help you develop your leadership competencies through experiential learning, reflection, and applying new approaches based on what you learn. It consists of 6 modules which present different themes in the renewable energy transition, particularly: justice in the energy transition (Module 2), participatory practices with local community members (Module 3), perspectives of other-than-humans (Module 4), alternative ownership and governance models (Module 5), and the management of wicked problems in transitions (Module 6). Additionally, each module provides exercises to help you apply the gained insights in your daily work as a leader in the wind energy sector.

Steering towards a just and effective wind energy system demands strong leadership. While the idea of a strong leader is often associated with someone dominant, assertive, and focused on clear, immediate outcomes, the complexity and uncertainty involved in the wind energy transition require a different approach. As the EU works toward reaching its goal of 45 % renewable energy by 2030, accelerating wind energy presents a range of challenges. It is not just about what is technically and financially possible. Local authorities and developers involved in wind energy focus on economic, social, and environmental issues to transform the wind energy system towards greater justice and effectiveness.

Therefore, these 6 modules place a strong emphasis on developing transition leadership competencies such as deep listening, reflecting on your assumptions, considering the perspectives of others, facilitating collective learning, and collaborating with different actors. Completing this course, you have broadened your leadership competencies to navigate the complex and uncertain realities of the renewable energy transition.

What's inside

Syllabus

WE ARE MOVING BY 15th NOVEMBER 2025

Broadening leadership competences to navigate economic, social and ecological challenges in wind energy transitions

Career center

Learners who complete Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Community Engagement Specialist

A Community Engagement Specialist builds and maintains positive relationships between organizations and the communities they impact. This role is crucial for projects such as wind energy development, requiring effective communication, conflict resolution, and the design of inclusive processes. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" is exceptionally well-suited for this career path, directly addressing participatory practices with local community members through Module 3. It cultivates essential transition leadership competencies like deep listening, reflecting on assumptions, and considering the perspectives of others, which are fundamental to successful community dialogue and collaboration. Taking this course helps learners develop approaches to navigate the social challenges inherent in renewable energy transitions, steering projects towards greater justice and effectiveness by ensuring local voices are heard and integrated into decision-making.

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Energy Transition Strategist

An Energy Transition Strategist designs and implements comprehensive plans for organizations, regions, or nations to shift towards sustainable energy systems. This role demands a deep understanding of technological, economic, social, and ecological factors, along with strong leadership to navigate significant systemic change. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" is an ideal foundation, as it specifically focuses on broadening leadership competencies to navigate economic, social, and ecological challenges in wind energy transitions. Its modules on justice, alternative ownership, and managing wicked problems are directly applicable to crafting robust, equitable strategies. This course helps develop the skills to facilitate collective learning and collaborate with diverse actors, which are essential for any Energy Transition Strategist to drive successful and just transformations.

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Participatory Process Facilitator

A Participatory Process Facilitator designs and leads group processes that enable diverse stakeholders to collaborate effectively, share perspectives, and reach collective decisions on complex issues. This role is vital in areas requiring broad consensus, such as community development or large-scale project planning. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" is an outstanding preparation for this career, with its dedicated Module 3 on "participatory practices with local community members." The course's strong emphasis on developing transition leadership competencies like deep listening, reflecting on assumptions, considering the perspectives of others, and facilitating collective learning are the core skills of a successful Participatory Process Facilitator. It directly assists in navigating social challenges and fostering collaborative solutions towards just and effective transitions.

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Renewable Energy Project Manager

A Renewable Energy Project Manager leads the full lifecycle of renewable energy initiatives, from planning through execution, ensuring they meet technical, financial, and regulatory objectives. This professional routinely navigates complex economic, social, and ecological challenges. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" serves as an invaluable resource, helping individuals develop the nuanced leadership competencies necessary to steer wind energy projects towards greater justice and effectiveness. It specifically prepares one to manage the multifaceted issues associated with accelerating wind energy development. The curriculum's emphasis on competencies such as facilitating collective learning and collaborating with different actors is directly applicable, as is the focus on managing wicked problems in transitions. This course helps build capability in leading multi-stakeholder initiatives and ensuring socially responsible outcomes, a critical skill for any Renewable Energy Project Manager.

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Social Impact Specialist

A Social Impact Specialist focuses on understanding, measuring, and maximizing an organization's positive social contributions and minimizing negative impacts. This role often involves designing programs, engaging communities, and ensuring equitable outcomes related to business operations or projects. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" is an excellent fit for this career, directly addressing "justice in the energy transition" and the economic, social, and ecological challenges associated with it. Module 3 on "participatory practices with local community members" and Module 5 on "alternative ownership and governance models" provide practical frameworks. This course helps develop the leadership competencies, such as considering the perspectives of others and facilitating collective learning, essential for a Social Impact Specialist to drive meaningful and just societal change within the context of complex transitions.

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Local Government Sustainable Energy Coordinator

A Local Government Sustainable Energy Coordinator works within municipal or regional authorities to advance renewable energy initiatives, often facilitating development and community engagement for projects like wind farms. This role requires navigating local regulations, stakeholder interests, and economic and social impacts. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" is an exceptional fit for this career. It specifically addresses the challenges faced by "local authorities and developers involved in wind energy," and emphasizes "participatory practices with local community members." For a Local Government Sustainable Energy Coordinator, the course's development of leadership competencies like deep listening, collaborating with different actors, and managing wicked problems provides crucial skills for steering complex local energy transitions towards greater justice and effectiveness.

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Stakeholder Relations Manager

A Stakeholder Relations Manager is responsible for identifying, engaging with, and managing relationships with all individuals or groups affected by an organization's activities. This role is particularly vital in industries with significant public impact, such as renewable energy development. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" offers exceptional preparation for this career, with its strong emphasis on developing transition leadership competencies like deep listening, reflecting on assumptions, and collaborating with different actors. Module 3, focusing on "participatory practices with local community members," is directly relevant. This course helps learners navigate the economic, social, and ecological challenges inherent in complex projects, ensuring a Stakeholder Relations Manager can steer interactions towards mutual understanding and effective, just outcomes.

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Sustainable Development Program Manager

A Sustainable Development Program Manager oversees initiatives that integrate environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability. This role involves strategic planning, resource allocation, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve sustainable goals. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" provides a robust foundation for this leadership role, as it focuses on broadening leadership competencies to navigate economic, social, and ecological challenges. Its emphasis on "justice in the energy transition," "alternative ownership and governance models," and the management of wicked problems is highly relevant for designing comprehensive programs. For a Sustainable Development Program Manager, the course's cultivation of skills in facilitating collective learning and collaborating with different actors is essential for driving impactful and just development within complex transition contexts. A Master's degree is often preferred for this role.

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Sustainability Consultant

A Sustainability Consultant advises organizations on strategies to integrate environmental, social, and governance principles into their operations and decision-making. This role involves analyzing current practices, identifying areas for improvement, and developing actionable roadmaps for sustainable development goals, often including energy transition strategies. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" provides a robust foundation for this career, particularly by broadening leadership competencies to navigate economic, social, and ecological challenges. Its modules on justice in the energy transition and alternative ownership models directly inform the advice a Sustainability Consultant provides. Individuals keen on guiding organizations through complex shifts will find the course's focus on deep listening, reflecting on assumptions, and facilitating collective learning highly pertinent. A Master's degree is often preferred for this role.

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Public Affairs Manager Renewable Energy

A Public Affairs Manager Renewable Energy manages an organization’s relationship with governments, media, and other key stakeholders, advocating for projects and policies in the renewable energy sector. This role requires navigating complex political and social landscapes to build support and mitigate opposition. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" is highly pertinent for this career, as it focuses on broadening leadership competencies to navigate economic, social, and ecological challenges. It directly addresses the need to collaborate with different actors, including local authorities, and consider the perspectives of others. For a Public Affairs Manager, the course’s emphasis on leading towards a just and effective wind energy system, understanding participatory practices, and managing wicked problems provides crucial skills for effective advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

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Environmental Social Governance Analyst

An Environmental Social Governance Analyst assesses companies' performance based on their environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and corporate governance practices. This role involves in-depth research, data analysis, and reporting to inform investors and stakeholders about sustainable and ethical business conduct. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" provides a highly relevant framework for this career, as it directly explores economic, social, and ecological challenges within the context of energy transitions. The modules on "justice in the energy transition," "alternative ownership and governance models," and "participatory practices" offer critical insights into the E, S, and G pillars. For an Environmental Social Governance Analyst, the course’s focus on navigating complexity and considering diverse perspectives helps build a comprehensive understanding necessary to evaluate and guide responsible corporate behavior towards greater justice and effectiveness.

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Environmental Policy Analyst

An Environmental Policy Analyst researches, evaluates, and develops policies addressing environmental issues, often focusing on areas like climate change, renewable energy, and resource management. This professional works to understand complex challenges and propose effective solutions for governmental bodies, NGOs, or private firms. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" helps build a foundation for aspiring Environmental Policy Analysts, as it broadens leadership competencies to navigate economic, social, and ecological challenges in wind energy transitions. Its specific focus on "justice in the energy transition" and the various challenges faced by local authorities and developers provides crucial context for informed policy analysis. The course framework helps develop a nuanced understanding of multi-stakeholder dynamics and wicked problems, which are central to creating equitable and effective environmental policies. A Master's degree is often required for this role.

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Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

A Corporate Social Responsibility Manager champions a company's commitment to ethical practices, social impact, and environmental stewardship. This role involves developing and implementing strategies that align business goals with sustainability and community welfare. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" offers relevant insights for this career, particularly through its emphasis on justice in the energy transition and alternative ownership and governance models. It helps cultivate leadership competencies vital for collaborating with different actors and considering diverse perspectives, both internally and externally. For a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, understanding how to navigate economic, social, and ecological challenges is paramount, and the course provides approaches to steer an organization towards greater justice and effectiveness in its broader societal contributions.

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Change Management Consultant

A Change Management Consultant guides organizations through periods of significant transformation, whether strategic, operational, or cultural. This involves assessing readiness for change, designing intervention strategies, and ensuring successful adoption by employees and stakeholders. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" helps develop crucial skills for those aspiring to this career, as it explicitly focuses on broadening leadership competencies to navigate complex and uncertain realities. While centered on wind energy, the underlying principles of managing "wicked problems in transitions" and facilitating collective learning are universally valuable. For a Change Management Consultant, the course helps develop skills in deep listening, reflecting on assumptions, and collaborating with different actors, all critical for understanding resistance and building consensus during organizational change processes.

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Organizational Development Specialist

An Organizational Development Specialist works to improve an organization's effectiveness and health through planned interventions aimed at strategy, structure, process, and culture. This often involves facilitating leadership development, team building, and managing cultural shifts. The course "Leadership in Transitions: Competences in Just Transitions" helps develop essential competencies for this profession, as it emphasizes broadening leadership and facilitating collective learning. The insights gained from engaging with participatory practices and considering diverse perspectives can be applied to foster more adaptive and collaborative organizational cultures. For an Organizational Development Specialist, the course's focus on reflection and managing wicked problems helps build the critical thinking and systemic understanding needed to guide complex organizational changes. A Master's degree is often required for this role.

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