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Visionary leadership, identity & motivation

Become a meaning maker

Arabella MacPherson, Professor Rebecca Mitchell, Associate Professor Edward Wray-Bliss, and Dr Abas Mirzaei

When faced with a complex and ambiguous work environment, how do you, as a potential leader, envision the future? How can you deliver on your vision in a way that conveys meaning and drives positive change within your organisation? In this course you will explore how leaders can create a compelling vision and communicate it, and how they create meaning and make work more meaningful. You will look at the role the brain and the body play in processing meaning, and how this can inspire your employees to follow you and your vision. This course will also teach you how to develop meaningful brand identity and the role it can play in clarifying and reinforcing your leadership vision within your organisation, for your partners and for your customers. You will discover that meaning crosses into almost every aspect of management. Finally, you will better understand how social and cultural factors can influence what you can achieve and your limitations when seeking to create meaning.

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Syllabus

Meaning and making meaning

This week we start off with exploring the essence of meaning, and why meaning is important at work. We also explore the conditions that facilitate or hinder meaning making. We look at how meaning could be enhanced by ensuring a fit between work and those who undertake it. We talk about the importance of linking employees’ activities with a significant bigger purpose and how this might be accomplished. We look at aspects of designing work to increase meaning and then flip our perspective and try to understand the concept of meaninglessness and some of the factors that contribute to meaninglessness.

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Teaches skills necessary for creating a compelling vision within an organization

Explores the role of neuroscience and storytelling in meaning making, providing practical techniques

Covers the process of developing a meaningful brand identity, including visual and verbal elements

Provides insights into the social and cultural factors that can influence meaning creation

Taught by experienced professors and industry experts in the field of leadership and organizational development

This course requires students to have some prior knowledge of leadership and management concepts

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Reviews summary

Visionary leadership and meaning-making insights

According to learners, this course offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on leadership by focusing on meaning-making, identity, and motivation. Many found the concepts highly relevant and the instructor knowledgeable. Specific sections like the brain, body, and storytelling module received praise for providing insightful connections. However, some reviews indicate that while the course provides a strong theoretical foundation, it can feel academic and abstract, with some learners wishing for more practical examples and applications. The branding section was noted as interesting but less relevant or in-depth for some.

Its relevance and depth vary for learners.

"The branding modules were okay, but perhaps didn't go into enough depth for someone looking for actionable branding strategies."

"The branding section felt a bit out of place for a leadership course..."

"The branding section was a bit unexpected but added an interesting dimension."

Instructor is knowledgeable and delivery is generally clear.

"The lectures were engaging, and the content felt highly relevant..."

"Excellent course! The instructor is knowledgeable and presents the material clearly."

"The instructor's passion for the subject is evident. The materials provided were excellent."

"A well-designed course covering complex topics. The pacing was good."

Certain topics received specific praise.

"The module on the brain, body, and storytelling was particularly insightful. It really connected the dots..."

"I especially appreciated the practical tips on storytelling and branding."

"The historical and social context week was thought-provoking. I found the connection between personal identity and leadership vision compelling."

Offers valuable and novel insights on leadership.

"This course completely changed my perspective on leadership. The concepts of meaning-making and how it relates to identity and motivation were fascinating."

"Good overview of leadership from a unique perspective. The historical and social context week was thought-provoking."

"One of the best leadership courses I've taken online. The concepts of meaning and purpose resonate deeply."

"It provided me with a new lens through which to view leadership and employee engagement."

Strong theory, but some desire more practical application.

"Some parts felt a bit theoretical, and I would have liked more concrete examples of how to apply the meaning-making frameworks..."

"Honestly, I struggled to connect with the material. It felt very academic and abstract, not practical enough for immediate use in my job."

"Good for theory, less so for practice."

"Interesting topics, but the delivery was a bit dry at times. Some sections felt like academic lectures rather than practical guidance."

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 Visionary leadership, identity & motivation: Become a meaning maker with these activities:

Read 'The Culture Code' by Daniel Coyle

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Gain valuable insights into the science behind building strong and meaningful cultures, enhancing your understanding of leadership and meaning-making.

View Flourish on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on the key concepts and theories.
Identify the practices and principles that resonate with your own experiences and observations.

Review NLP and AI techniques for meaning making

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Refresh your knowledge on NLP and AI techniques to enhance your understanding of meaning-making concepts discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Natural Language Processing

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Revisit fundamental concepts of NLP and AI, focusing on their applications in meaning-making.
Review case studies that demonstrate how NLP and AI have been used to create meaningful experiences.
Reflect on how these techniques can be applied to your own work environment to enhance meaning.

Develop a Personal Vision Statement

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Solidify your understanding of vision and leadership by crafting a personal vision statement that reflects your values and aspirations.

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Reflect on your strengths, passions, and goals.
Identify the core principles and values that drive your work.
Draft a vision statement that articulates your unique perspective and aspirations.

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Attend a workshop on storytelling techniques

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Storytelling is a powerful tool for meaning making. Learn effective techniques to craft and deliver compelling stories that resonate with your audience.

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Identify the key elements of storytelling and their role in creating meaning.
Practice storytelling techniques and receive feedback from experienced facilitators.
Develop a plan to apply storytelling techniques in your work to enhance meaning and connection.

Summarize and Share Key Insights

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Reinforce your understanding by summarizing and sharing key insights from the course materials with peers.

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Identify the most important concepts and theories covered in each module.
Summarize these insights in a clear and concise manner.
Share your summaries with classmates through forums or discussion boards.

Share Your Knowledge and Insights

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巩固您的知识并帮助他人，通过辅导或在论坛中回答问题，分享您对课程内容的理解。

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Identify areas where you have a strong understanding of the course material.
Offer assistance to classmates through forums, discussion boards, or study groups.
Provide clear explanations and examples to help others grasp the concepts.

Design a Meaning-Making Strategy for Your Organization

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Put your learning into practice by crafting a comprehensive strategy for enhancing meaning and purpose in your organization.

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Conduct a thorough analysis of your organization's current culture, values, and goals.
Identify areas where meaning and purpose can be enhanced through leadership initiatives.
Develop specific action plans and metrics to track the implementation and impact of your strategy.

Develop a Meaning-Making Project

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Apply your learning by designing and implementing a project that fosters meaning and purpose within a specific context.

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Identify a problem or opportunity where meaning and purpose can be enhanced.
Develop a plan for a project that addresses this issue.
Implement the project and track its impact on meaning and purpose.

Career center

Learners who complete Visionary leadership, identity & motivation: Become a meaning maker will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Management Consultant

Management Consultants advise businesses on how to improve their performance. This course may be useful for Management Consultants as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their clients and develop effective solutions. The course can also be helpful for Management Consultants who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Organizational Development Manager

Organizational Development Managers work to improve the effectiveness of organizations. This course may be useful for Organizational Development Managers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their organizations and develop effective solutions. The course can also be helpful for Organizational Development Managers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Manager

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee the human resources function of an organization. This course may be useful for Human Resources Managers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their employees and develop effective HR policies. The course can also be helpful for Human Resources Managers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers oversee the marketing function of an organization. This course may be useful for Marketing Managers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their customers and develop effective marketing campaigns. The course can also be helpful for Marketing Managers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers oversee the public relations function of an organization. This course may be useful for Public Relations Managers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their stakeholders and develop effective public relations campaigns. The course can also be helpful for Public Relations Managers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers oversee the sales function of an organization. This course may be useful for Sales Managers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their customers and develop effective sales strategies. The course can also be helpful for Sales Managers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the operations function of an organization. This course may be useful for Operations Managers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their customers and develop effective operations strategies. The course can also be helpful for Operations Managers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the projects of an organization. This course may be useful for Project Managers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their stakeholders and develop effective project plans. The course can also be helpful for Project Managers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Product Manager

Product Managers oversee the products of an organization. This course may be useful for Product Managers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their customers and develop effective product strategies. The course can also be helpful for Product Managers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Brand Manager

Brand Managers oversee the brands of an organization. This course may be useful for Brand Managers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their customers and develop effective brand strategies. The course can also be helpful for Brand Managers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Brand Manager

Advertising Manager

Advertising Managers oversee the advertising function of an organization. This course may be useful for Advertising Managers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their customers and develop effective advertising campaigns. The course can also be helpful for Advertising Managers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Advertising Manager

Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analysts conduct research on the needs of customers and markets. This course may be useful for Market Research Analysts as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their clients and develop effective research plans. The course can also be helpful for Market Research Analysts who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data. This course may be useful for Data Analysts as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their clients and develop effective data analysis plans. The course can also be helpful for Data Analysts who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. This course may be useful for Web Developers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their clients and develop effective websites. The course can also be helpful for Web Developers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts for a variety of media. This course may be useful for Graphic Designers as it can help them develop the skills they need to understand the needs of their clients and develop effective visual concepts. The course can also be helpful for Graphic Designers who want to advance their careers, as it can help them develop the leadership skills they need to succeed in senior management roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Reading list

We've selected 13 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 Visionary leadership, identity & motivation: Become a meaning maker.

Good Business

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This classic work on meaningful work examines the factors that contribute to job satisfaction and engagement, providing valuable insights for leaders seeking to create a more fulfilling work environment.

Visionary leadership, identity & motivation

Become a meaning maker

Here's a deal for you

What's inside

Syllabus

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Save this course

Reviews summary

Visionary leadership and meaning-making insights

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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