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Daniel Moorer

Great Leaders lead by example. They protect their team members, empower them, and help them to improve and grow while the team members, in turn, help the organization improve and grow. Working together with the team, they envision what the organization could be and inspire others to help execute the strategy that will take them there. Many times, they see their team members as more of a family than simply as business acquaintances.

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Great Leaders lead by example. They protect their team members, empower them, and help them to improve and grow while the team members, in turn, help the organization improve and grow. Working together with the team, they envision what the organization could be and inspire others to help execute the strategy that will take them there. Many times, they see their team members as more of a family than simply as business acquaintances.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Hiring and Building a Team
Hiring and building a team are a leader's responsibilities. The words are simple and straightforward. But, as with most things, the difficulty and opportunity are found in the detail and nuance.
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Setting a Vision and Getting a Team Moving
After a team is created, a leader starts by setting a vision and creating an environment that will get the team moving with organization and assigning responsibilities.
Managing a Team and Conducting Effective Meetings
If one has assigned responsibilities effectively, employees will begin their work on a daily basis. At that point, your responsibilities shift to managing the team. One of the most common ways used to manage a team is to conduct meetings: a skill that is often done incorrectly but, if done properly, can help the team to unite.
Asking Better Questions and Making Good Decisions
A more advanced method used to manage a team is by asking questions.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines a highly relevant concept of servant leadership, which is in high demand in industries
Explains how to hire and build a team, which are in-demand management skills for those transitioning to leadership roles within technical sectors
Teaches team management and leadership approaches, which are valuable skills for learners seeking roles in the engineering and technical sectors
Provides a framework for asking better questions and making good decisions, which are important skills in leadership and management
Explores different approaches to setting and communicating a team vision, which are valuable skills for managers and leaders
Prerequisites are not explicitly stated, so learners do not know what prior knowledge or experience they should have before taking this course

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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 Challenges of Leading Technical Teams with these activities:
Review the course syllabus
Reviewing the course syllabus will help you get a better understanding of the course content and expectations.
Show steps
  • Read the syllabus
  • Identify the key topics
  • Set up a study schedule
Refine your interviewing skills
Practicing your interview skills outside of class will help you feel more confident and prepared when interviewing for your next leadership role.
Browse courses on Interviewing Skills
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  • Review common interview questions
  • Practice answering the questions
  • Seek out mock interviews
Take an online leadership course
Taking an online leadership course can help you develop your leadership skills and learn from experts in the field.
Browse courses on Leadership Development
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  • Research online leadership courses
  • Identify a course that aligns with your learning goals
  • Enroll in the course
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Read 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People'
This book provides a framework for personal and professional effectiveness that can help you become a more effective leader.
Show steps
  • Purchase the book
  • Read the book
  • Apply the principles in your personal and professional life
Practice giving feedback
Giving feedback is an essential skill for leaders. Practicing giving feedback will help you become more confident and effective in this area.
Browse courses on Feedback
Show steps
  • Identify a situation where you need to give feedback
  • Prepare your feedback
  • Deliver your feedback
Attend a leadership development workshop
Leadership development workshops can provide you with the tools and techniques you need to be a more effective leader.
Browse courses on Leadership Development
Show steps
  • Research leadership development workshops
  • Identify a workshop that aligns with your learning goals
  • Attend the workshop
Attend a leadership conference
Attending a leadership conference can provide you with the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and network with other leaders.
Browse courses on Leadership Development
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  • Research leadership conferences
  • Identify a conference that aligns with your learning goals
  • Attend the conference
Develop a personal leadership philosophy
Taking the time to develop your own personal leadership philosophy can help you become a more authentic and effective leader.
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  • Reflect on your values and beliefs
  • Identify your strengths and weaknesses
  • Define your vision for your leadership
Mentor a junior leader
Mentoring a junior leader can help you develop your leadership skills and make a positive impact on the next generation of leaders.
Browse courses on Mentoring
Show steps
  • Identify a junior leader to mentor
  • Set up regular meetings
  • Provide guidance and support

Career center

Learners who complete Challenges of Leading Technical Teams will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Recruiter
Recruiters find and recruit qualified candidates for open positions. Recruiters need to be able to identify and assess talent, and to build relationships with potential candidates. Additionally, Recruiters play a significant role in the hiring process, which is a topic covered in this course.
Manager
Managers are responsible for overseeing a team of employees. Managers need to be able to motivate and inspire employees to achieve goals. This course would be helpful in providing managers with the skills they need to develop and support their teams.
Supervisor
Supervisors lead a group of employees and are responsible for their work. They typically report to a manager. This course would be helpful in providing supervisors with the skills they need to lead and manage their teams.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create and edit technical documentation. As such, the topic of "Asking Better Questions and Making Good Decisions" could be helpful to them. They need to be able to understand complex technical information and to communicate it clearly and effectively. Technical Writers also often have to work with subject matter experts including Team Leaders, so the communication skills taught in this course will be helpful to them.
Team Leader
Leading a team can be found in the title of this course. Team Leaders play a leadership role over teams of employees. They may need to hire new team members, set team vision, and conduct team meetings. This course may be helpful in developing the skills needed to successfully perform each of these job duties.
Executive
Executives are at the top of an organization. They are responsible for the overall direction and strategy of the organization. This course may be helpful in developing the leadership qualities and strategic thinking skills that Executives need to be successful.
Organization Development Manager
These professionals lead their organization in developing its people through leadership programs and training. The title of this course includes the word "leader". This course may be helpful in developing the leadership qualities that Organization Development Managers need to be successful.
Project Manager
Project Managers lead teams in completing specific work in line with the organization's vision. Leading a team can be found in the title of this course. Project Managers may need to hire new team members, set team vision, and conduct team meetings. This course may be helpful in developing the skills needed to successfully perform each of these job duties.
Business Analyst
This course has a topic titled "Managing a Team and Conducting Effective Meetings." Business Analysts often have to lead meetings, so this topic could be helpful to them. Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and making recommendations for improvements. They need to be able to understand business needs and to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
Director
Directors are responsible for leading a specific department within an organization. They may need to hire new team members, set team vision, and conduct team meetings. This course may be helpful in developing the skills needed to successfully perform each of these job duties.
Consultant
Consultants provide expert advice to clients on a variety of business issues. They may work with clients to develop strategies, improve operations, or solve problems. This course may be helpful in developing the skills and knowledge that Consultants need to be successful.
Technology Manager
Technology Managers lead teams in making technology-related decisions and ensuring the smooth operation of technology systems. This course may be useful in developing the leadership qualities and technical skills that Technology Managers need to be successful.
Engineering Manager
Engineering Managers may manage large teams of engineers. These managers are responsible for the planning, organizing, and direction of engineering projects. This course may be useful in developing the leadership qualities and technical skills that Engineering Managers need to be successful.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers are responsible for the hiring, firing, and performance evaluation of employees. They may also be responsible for setting team culture and providing guidance to Team Leaders. This course would be helpful in providing Human Resources Managers with the skills they need to manage teams in this way.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. They may need to manage teams of employees, set team vision, and conduct team meetings. This course would be helpful in providing Operations Managers with the skills they need to successfully perform each of these job duties.

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 Challenges of Leading Technical Teams.
Provides specific guidance for leading technical teams. It covers topics such as hiring, motivating, and managing technical professionals, as well as how to create a culture of innovation and collaboration.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective engineer. It covers topics such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are all essential for leading technical teams.
Provides a practical guide to managing high-performing teams. It covers topics such as setting clear goals, giving effective feedback, and creating a culture of accountability.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the essential leadership qualities and behaviors. It can be helpful for technical leaders who want to develop their leadership skills and become more effective leaders.
Provides a practical guide to building and leading high-performing teams. It covers topics such as creating a shared vision, developing a team culture, and managing conflict.
Provides a framework for coaching and mentoring team members. It can be helpful for technical leaders who want to develop their coaching skills and help their team members reach their full potential.
Provides a fictional account of how a team of IT professionals turned around a failing project. It can be helpful for technical leaders who want to learn from the mistakes of others and avoid common pitfalls in their own projects.
Provides a simple and effective framework for understanding the five key dysfunctions that can prevent a team from achieving its full potential. It can be helpful for technical leaders who want to improve their team's performance and create a more cohesive and effective team culture.
Provides a practical guide to using the sprint process to solve problems and test new ideas. It can be helpful for technical leaders who want to learn how to be more innovative and efficient in their work.
Provides a candid and insightful look at the challenges of running a startup. It can be helpful for technical leaders who want to learn from the experiences of others and develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a leader.
Provides a framework for building a successful startup. It can be helpful for technical leaders who want to develop a more entrepreneurial mindset and learn how to iterate quickly and efficiently.
Provides a framework for understanding why large companies often struggle to innovate. It can be helpful for technical leaders who want to learn how to overcome the challenges of innovation and create a more innovative culture in their organizations.
Provides insights into the power of introversion and how introverts can succeed in a world that often values extroversion. It can be helpful for technical leaders who want to create a more inclusive and supportive work environment for all team members.

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