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Leading from Within

There is an important difference between leading from without and leading from within: the way decisions are made. Those who lead from without make moral decisions based on external pressure or the opinions of others rather than on the basis of deeply held personal values and beliefs. When they speak about moral issues they do so without authenticity and inspire doubt rather than confidence in their followers. Those who lead from within have deeply held personal values and beliefs and courageously make decisions based on those convictions. They have a clear sense of purpose in their own lives and inspire a clear sense of purpose and direction in others. This course will provide tools and insights that will help you successfully lead from within at the personal, organizational, and societal levels.

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Syllabus

The Big Questions in Ethics

In this first week of the course, you will reflect on some of the big questions in ethics within the context of your leadership goals. By the end of the week, you should be able to articulate a clearer guiding ideal of success in life when it comes to your work and your personal goals. Activities in this week’s lessons ask you to ponder what your life’s purpose is. Throughout the week, you will be prompted to reflect on the question of whether or not ethics can be taught and whether or not motive matters in ethics. You can also discover ways in which your work intersects with your faith.

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Develops critical thinking, self-reflection, and decision-making skills, which are core skills for leaders and managers

Explores ethical decision-making from various perspectives, including personal, organizational, and societal levels

Taught by Joe Holt, an experienced leadership expert and author

Provides tools and insights to support personal growth and development of ethical leadership

Covers a wide range of ethical issues relevant to contemporary society

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Reviews summary

Ethical leadership rooted in self-reflection

According to learners, "Leading from Within" is a transformative course that significantly enhances understanding of authentic, values-driven leadership. Students frequently highlight its capacity to promote deep personal reflection on values and purpose, providing immediately applicable tools for navigating complex ethical dilemmas at personal, organizational, and societal levels. The instructor's passion and expertise are consistently praised, making the lectures engaging and insightful. While some learners note its philosophical depth and suggest updating specific examples for modern relevance, the consensus points to a well-structured curriculum that fosters both professional growth and personal integrity, making it a valuable asset for current and aspiring leaders across diverse backgrounds.

Features unique teachings, though some examples might need updating.

"While the discussions around Catholic social teaching were interesting, they sometimes felt a bit niche for my broader professional context."

"The course content is solid, but it feels a bit dated in its approach to some of the case studies. While the core ethical principles are timeless..."

"The Notre Dame ideal was unique."

Explores ethics philosophically, with some seeking more direct case studies.

"While the theoretical concepts were sound and well-explained, I sometimes struggled to connect them directly to my day-to-day challenges. It's more philosophical than I anticipated..."

"Some parts felt quite academic, requiring a bit more intellectual engagement than purely 'how-to' practical advice."

"I came into this course hoping for more practical, case-study driven examples for immediate business application."

Features a passionate instructor and well-organized, compelling lessons.

"The instructor's passion for the subject was infectious, and the content...delivered far beyond my expectations."

"Excellent course! It genuinely helped me articulate my leadership point of view and understand how deeply held convictions drive authentic leadership."

"This course was incredibly well-organized and presented. The lessons on the four cardinal virtues provided a strong ethical compass."

Offers actionable strategies for resolving moral and ethical dilemmas.

"The systematic approach to resolving moral dilemmas taught in Week 2 is something I can immediately apply at work."

"A must-take for anyone in a leadership role. The course provides actionable strategies for navigating complex ethical issues at an organizational level."

"Learned effective ways to approach ethical issues at personal, organizational, and societal levels, which felt very practical."

Cultivates profound introspection on personal values and life's purpose.

"This course was incredibly insightful; it truly made me think about my personal values and how they guide my decisions."

"I found the exercises on identifying my life's purpose and moral alignment to be transformative. It's not just theory."

"The course is well-structured and promotes significant self-reflection."

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 Leading from Within with these activities:

Create a resource folder on ethical leadership

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Creating a resource folder on ethical leadership will help you organize your learning materials and make them easily accessible for future reference.

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Collect resources on ethical leadership from a variety of sources.
Organize the resources into a folder on your computer or in a cloud-based storage system.
Review the resources regularly and add new resources as you find them.

Review the main ethical theories

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Refreshing your understanding of the main ethical theories will help you better understand the course material and apply it to your own leadership practice.

Browse courses on Ethics

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Read an overview of the main ethical theories.
Create a table summarizing the key features of each theory.
Reflect on how each theory applies to your own leadership style.

Develop a personal code of ethics

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Creating a personal code of ethics will help you make more informed and ethical decisions as a leader.

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Identify your core values.
Consider how your values apply to your leadership role.
Write a statement outlining your personal code of ethics.

Five other activities

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Discuss ethical dilemmas with peers

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Discussing ethical dilemmas with peers will help you develop your critical thinking skills and learn from others' perspectives.

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Find a group of peers to discuss ethical dilemmas with.
Choose an ethical dilemma to discuss.
Share your thoughts on the dilemma and listen to the perspectives of others.

Read 'The Ethics of Care' by Nel Noddings

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Reading 'The Ethics of Care' will provide you with a deeper understanding of the ethics of care and its implications for leadership.

View Teaching Controversial Issues: The Case for... on Amazon

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Read the book.
Summarize the main arguments of the book.
Reflect on how the ethics of care applies to your own leadership style.

Attend a workshop on ethical leadership

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Attending a workshop on ethical leadership will provide you with the opportunity to learn from experts and develop your ethical leadership skills.

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Find a workshop on ethical leadership.
Attend the workshop.
Reflect on what you learned at the workshop.

Develop a plan for implementing ethical leadership in your organization

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Creating a plan for implementing ethical leadership in your organization will help you put your learning into practice and make a positive impact on your organization.

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Identify the key ethical challenges facing your organization.
Develop a set of strategies for addressing these challenges.
Create a plan for implementing these strategies.
Monitor the progress of your plan and make adjustments as needed.

Mentor other leaders on ethical leadership

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Mentoring other leaders on ethical leadership will help you reinforce your own learning and make a positive contribution to the development of others.

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Find a leader to mentor.
Share your knowledge and experience on ethical leadership with your mentee.
Provide support and guidance to your mentee as they develop their own ethical leadership skills.

Career center

Learners who complete Leading from Within will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Executive Officer

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company, you are responsible for ensuring that the organization achieves its mission, vision, and goals. CEOs must possess strong leadership skills, a clear understanding of business ethics, and the ability to make tough decisions. The Leading from Within course at the University of Notre Dame can help you develop these skills and gain a deeper understanding of the ethical dimensions of business. This course will provide you with the tools and insights you need to lead your company with integrity and achieve long-term success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Management Consultant

As a Management Consultant, you help businesses identify and solve their management challenges. You may work on a variety of projects, including developing new strategies, improving operations, and implementing new technologies. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of business ethics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Nonprofit Executive Director

As the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization, you are responsible for leading the organization's mission and ensuring that it achieves its goals. You must possess strong leadership skills, a clear understanding of business ethics, and the ability to build relationships with donors and other stakeholders. This course can help you develop these skills and gain a deeper understanding of the ethical dimensions of nonprofit leadership.

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Public Administrator

As a Public Administrator, you work in government agencies to develop and implement policies that serve the public good. You may work on a variety of issues, including public health, education, and environmental protection. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of business ethics.

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Human Resources Manager

As a Human Resources Manager, you are responsible for managing the human resources function of an organization. You may work on a variety of tasks, including recruiting, hiring, and training employees, and developing and implementing HR policies. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong leadership skills, a clear understanding of business ethics, and the ability to build relationships with employees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Sustainability Manager

As a Sustainability Manager, you are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for an organization. You may work on a variety of projects, including reducing energy consumption, managing waste, and promoting sustainable practices. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a clear understanding of business ethics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

As a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, you are responsible for developing and implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies for an organization. You may work on a variety of projects, including developing CSR policies, engaging with stakeholders, and reporting on CSR performance. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong leadership skills, a clear understanding of business ethics, and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders.

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Ethics and Compliance Officer

As an Ethics and Compliance Officer, you are responsible for developing and implementing ethics and compliance programs for an organization. You may work on a variety of tasks, including identifying and mitigating ethical risks, training employees on ethical behavior, and investigating ethical violations. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a clear understanding of business ethics.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

As a Diversity and Inclusion Manager, you are responsible for developing and implementing diversity and inclusion strategies for an organization. You may work on a variety of projects, including developing diversity and inclusion policies, training employees on diversity and inclusion, and creating a more inclusive work environment. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong leadership skills, a clear understanding of business ethics, and the ability to build relationships with employees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Corporate Philanthropy Manager

As a Corporate Philanthropy Manager, you are responsible for developing and implementing corporate philanthropy strategies for an organization. You may work on a variety of projects, including identifying and supporting charitable causes, managing corporate giving programs, and reporting on philanthropic activities. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong leadership skills, a clear understanding of business ethics, and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders.

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Social Entrepreneur

As a Social Entrepreneur, you use business principles to solve social problems. You may work on a variety of projects, including developing new products or services, creating new businesses, or advocating for policy changes. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong leadership skills, a clear understanding of business ethics, and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders.

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Policy Analyst

As a Policy Analyst, you research and analyze public policy issues to inform policy decisions. You may work on a variety of issues, including healthcare, education, or environmental protection. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a clear understanding of business ethics.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

As a Nonprofit Program Manager, you are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating nonprofit programs. You may work on a variety of programs, including educational programs, social services programs, or environmental protection programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Program Manager

Community Organizer

As a Community Organizer, you work with community members to identify and solve community problems. You may work on a variety of issues, including housing, education, or healthcare. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong leadership skills, a clear understanding of business ethics, and the ability to build relationships with community members.

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Social Worker

As a Social Worker, you help people navigate social problems and improve their lives. You may work on a variety of issues, including poverty, mental illness, or addiction. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role, including strong leadership skills, a clear understanding of business ethics, and the ability to build relationships with clients.

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Reading list

We've selected 12 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 Leading from Within.

Stoicism For Dummies

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of ethics, covering both theoretical and practical issues. It would be a valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the foundations of ethics and how they can be applied to real-world situations.

Leading from Within

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Ethical leadership rooted in self-reflection

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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