Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women from Coursera

This free online course is one of 10 courses available in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women collection, designed for entrepreneurs ready to take their business to the next level. In this course, you will understand leadership and its role in business growth. You will learn about leadership styles and reflect on your role as leader of your company.

You will consider leadership qualities and identify the core values and assumptions that influence how you lead. You will hear Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women alumni explain how implementing a Leadership Development Plan helped them to grow their business, before completing your own Leadership Development Plan to consider the actions you can take to help you improve your leadership skills.

You will also complete a Cultural Audit to consider and analyze your current organizational culture. By the end of the course, you will have created your Vision Statement, which describes your vision for the future of your business.

The 10,000 Women course collection offers a truly flexible online learning experience. You have the freedom to approach the program in any way that works for you – take any course, or combination of courses, to tailor your learning journey to your individual business growth needs. If you choose to take all 10 courses, you will explore all the key elements of your business and develop a thorough plan for your business’s growth.

You can find out more about the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women collection in the FAQs.

What's inside

Syllabus

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores leadership qualities which is core to business growth

Taught by Sarah Underwood, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women, Anne Donnellon, Mori Taheripour, Michael Fetters, Geetha Krishnan, Edward David who are recognized for their work in leadership

Examines leadership styles, a core skill in business

Develops leadership through a leadership development plan, which is essential for growth

This free online course is part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women collection, designed for entrepreneurs

Reviews summary

Practical leadership for entrepreneurs

According to students, this course provides a strong foundation in leadership, particularly for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses. Learners appreciated the focus on practical application, with key elements like developing a Leadership Development Plan, conducting a Cultural Audit, and crafting a Vision Statement being particularly useful. Many found the content actionable and well-structured, helping them reflect on their own leadership styles and core values. While primarily aimed at business owners, its principles are broadly applicable.

Offers strong fundamentals, but may be introductory for some.

"While comprehensive for a beginner, I found some concepts to be a review as an experienced leader in my field."

"It's an excellent starting point, but don't expect deep dives into highly complex or niche leadership theories."

"For someone new to formal leadership training, this course is perfect. More advanced leaders might seek deeper content."

Highly relevant for business owners, especially those growing.

"As an entrepreneur, this course provided exactly what I needed to refine my leadership skills for business growth."

"Perfect for new or aspiring business leaders seeking structured guidance on foundational leadership principles."

"I appreciate how it directly addresses the challenges and opportunities faced by small to medium business owners."

Encourages deep reflection on personal leadership and values.

"It helped me understand my own leadership style and the values that drive my decisions as a leader."

"Reflecting on my core values was crucial for authentic leadership. This course really guided me through that process."

"The course prompted me to think deeply about my role as a leader and how I influence my team and business culture."

Offers actionable tools and structured plans for business growth.

"I found the course incredibly practical, especially creating my Leadership Development Plan. It gave me concrete steps."

"The Cultural Audit really made me think about my company's environment and how my leadership impacts it."

"Developing a Vision Statement was key; it crystallized my future goals for the business and was very helpful."

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 Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women with these activities:

Watch TED talks on leadership

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Watching TED talks on leadership will expose you to diverse perspectives and insights from renowned leaders.

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Search for TED talks on leadership topics that interest you.
Watch the talks and take notes on key insights and ideas.

Review key leadership principles

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Reviewing key leadership principles will help you refresh your understanding of the fundamental concepts of leadership and prepare you for the course content.

Browse courses on Leadership Principles

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Recall the different leadership styles and their characteristics.
Reflect on your own leadership style and identify areas for improvement.

Identify and connect with a leadership mentor

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Having a leadership mentor can provide you with valuable guidance and support as you develop your leadership skills.

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Identify individuals in your network or community who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities.
Reach out to potential mentors and express your interest in seeking their guidance.
Build a relationship with your mentor and regularly seek their advice and support.

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Read 'Good to Great'

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Reading 'Good to Great' will provide you with insights into the characteristics of successful leaders and how they can drive organizational growth.

View Leading to Greatness: 5 Principles to Transform... on Amazon

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Identify the key concepts and principles presented in the book.
Analyze the case studies of companies that have made the transition from good to great.
Reflect on how these principles can be applied to your own business.

Join a leadership development group

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Joining a leadership development group will provide you with a supportive environment to connect with other learners, share experiences, and enhance your leadership skills.

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Identify a leadership development group that aligns with your interests and goals.
Attend meetings regularly and actively participate in discussions.
Share your challenges and experiences with other members and seek feedback.

Develop a personal leadership vision statement

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Creating a personal leadership vision statement will help you clarify your leadership aspirations and provide a roadmap for your future growth.

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Identify your core values and beliefs that guide your leadership approach.
Envision your desired future as a leader and what you want to achieve.
Craft a concise and inspiring statement that captures your leadership vision.

Participate in mock leadership simulations

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Participating in mock leadership simulations will provide you with an opportunity to practice your leadership skills in a realistic setting and receive feedback.

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Identify a leadership scenario that you would like to practice.
Prepare for the simulation by researching the topic and practicing your responses.
Participate in the simulation and actively engage with other participants.
Reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement.

Volunteer for a leadership role in a community organization

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Volunteering for a leadership role in a community organization will allow you to apply your leadership skills in a practical setting and make a positive impact on your community.

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Identify a community organization that aligns with your values and interests.
Inquire about leadership opportunities and express your interest.
Take on a leadership role and actively contribute to the organization's mission.

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Operations Manager

Operations Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations. They may supervise production, transportation, quality control, or other activities. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women is particularly helpful if you want to advance into an Operations management role because it teaches you how to define your leadership style and to consider the core values and assumptions that influence how you lead.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice to businesses and organizations, helping them to improve their performance. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women is especially relevant for aspiring Consultants as it teaches you how to identify the core values that influence how you lead and how to create a Leadership Development Plan to improve your leadership skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Program Manager

Program Managers plan, organize, and coordinate the activities of a program to achieve specific goals, similar to Project Managers. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be useful to aspiring Program Managers as it teaches them how to create a Vision Statement that describes their vision for the future of their business or the business they work for.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses, taking on the risks and rewards of doing so. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be useful in building a foundation for your role as an Entrepreneur, teaching you how to develop your own leadership style and how to create a Vision Statement that describes your vision for the future of your business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, organize, and coordinate the activities of a project to achieve specific goals. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be useful for Project Managers as it teaches them how to identify the core values and assumptions that influence how they lead, and to create their own Vision Statement that describes their vision for the future of a project.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers plan, direct, and coordinate the human resource functions of an organization. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be useful in preparing for this role, as this course will help you to develop your leadership skills and learn how to create a Cultural Audit to consider and analyze an organization's current culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Information Technology Manager

Information Technology Managers plan, direct, and coordinate the information technology (IT) functions of an organization. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be useful by teaching aspiring Information Technology Managers how to define their leadership style and to create a Leadership Development Plan to improve their leadership skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers oversee the sales operations of an organization and manage its sales force. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be useful in building the skills of a Sales Manager, especially by teaching them how to define their own leadership style and how to create a Leadership Development Plan geared toward improving their leadership skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing strategies to promote products or services. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be helpful to those seeking a career as a Marketing Manager, as it will help them to develop their leadership skills so they can effectively influence and motivate their marketing teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use advanced analytical techniques to help organizations make better decisions. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be useful for aspiring Operations Research Analysts as it will teach them how to create a Vision Statement that describes their vision for the future of their business or the business they work for.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers plan, organize, and coordinate the supply chain activities of an organization. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be useful for those seeking a caree in Supply Chain Management, teaching them how to create a Cultural Audit to consider and analyze your current organizational culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals on investment decisions. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be of use to aspiring Financial Analysts by teaching them how to define their leadership style and to identify the core values that influence how they lead.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with business stakeholders to understand their needs and transform them into technical requirements, ensuring that the IT solutions meet business objectives. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be useful in understanding the leadership goals of your organization so you can develop solutions that meet those goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officers are charged with overseeing the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of an organization, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be useful for those seeking a career as a Chief Operating Officer by helping to develop your leadership capabities and your skills in creating a Cultural Audit to consider and analyze your current organizational culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officers are responsible for making top-level strategic decisions, setting the organization's vision, defining its mission, and managing its operations. Coursework in Fundamentals of Leadership, with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women may be useful in guiding your leadership development and in creating a Leadership Development Plan geared specifically toward your business's growth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer