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Peter Cohan

If you’re ambitious, it’s natural to aspire to be the leader ofan organization. A lot of people in business want to be a CEO; to lead and shape an organization. Many, however, quickly discover that ambition alone is not enough to achieve this goal. Some ascend to theC-suite or leave to start their own venture, only to discover that leading a business - evenone's own - requires not just determination but a number of unanticipated skills.

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If you’re ambitious, it’s natural to aspire to be the leader ofan organization. A lot of people in business want to be a CEO; to lead and shape an organization. Many, however, quickly discover that ambition alone is not enough to achieve this goal. Some ascend to theC-suite or leave to start their own venture, only to discover that leading a business - evenone's own - requires not just determination but a number of unanticipated skills.

If you’ve pictured yourself in the corner office, want to report directly to a CEO, or have the goal of consulting with or advising a CEO, this course will benefit you.

The course exploressix competencies of a successful CEO:

  • Getting results. The ability to achieve ambitious operating goals by working at all levels of an organization;
  • Creating culture. The ability to articulate core values – such as customer value creation, integrity, and respect for the individual, win employee buy-in of the values, and create processes to ensure that culture is used in hiring and promotion decisions;
  • Attracting talent. The ability to attract and motivate a highly talented team that can set ambitious goals and achieve them;
  • Driving innovation. The ability to create an environment that encourages talented employees to generate new ideas that spur revenue growth;.
  • Formulating strategy. The ability to analyze a company’s future opportunities and to develop and execute strategies to capture those opportunities; and
  • Communicating with stakeholders. The ability to communicate effectively with the board, investors, and communities.

An initial objective assessment of strengths and weaknesses will help you decide if you’re a “natural” CEO, if you can become a CEO by improving existing skills, or if you should pursue other options. The skills learned in this course will also benefit individual contributors and those who manage people and teams. It offers a greater understanding of how a CEO thinks and acts - insights that can help anyone be more effective ina job.

This course will give you insight into how CEOs view strategic challenges, formulate solutions, and take action - and expose the path from individual contributor to the top job. Through case studies, group challenges, and feedback from current CEOs, you’ll explore six key skills that make an effective CEO, and form the foundation of their strategic work.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How ceos get results
  • The power of creating an effective, positive culture in your organization
  • How to attract top talent
  • How to create an environment that drives innovation
  • Analyzing future opportunities to formulate strategy
  • Effective communication with stakeholders - the board, investors, and communities

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops six competencies of successful CEOs, providing insights into strategic challenges and action-taking
Taught by Peter Cohan, an experienced instructor and recognized expert in business leadership
Provides insights into the thinking and actions of CEOs, valuable for anyone in a leadership role or aspiring to one
Designed for individuals aiming for CEO positions, reporting directly to CEOs, or consulting with CEOs
Provides a strong foundation for those looking to strengthen their leadership skills and knowledge
May require a good understanding of business principles and practices for optimal learning

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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 Rise to Leadership: Become a CEO with these activities:
Review business leadership
Refresh your knowledge of business leadership concepts to ensure you have a strong foundation for the course.
Browse courses on Business Leadership
Show steps
  • Read articles and books on business leadership
  • Attend a business leadership workshop or webinar
  • Network with other business leaders
Read Good to Great by Jim Collins
This book provides insights into the key characteristics of successful companies and their leaders.
Show steps
  • Read the book
  • Summarize the key points
  • Apply the concepts to your own work
Follow a CEO development program
Enroll in a CEO development program or follow an online course to gain practical knowledge and skills.
Browse courses on Leadership Development
Show steps
  • Identify a reputable CEO development program
  • Apply and enroll in the program
  • Complete the program
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Participate in peer learning groups
Connect with other students or professionals to share knowledge and support each other's learning.
Show steps
  • Identify peer learning groups that align with your interests
  • Participate in discussions and share your perspectives
  • Collaborate on projects or assignments
Develop a CEO development plan
Create a personalized plan to identify your strengths and areas for improvement as a CEO.
Browse courses on Leadership Development
Show steps
  • Assess your current skills and experience
  • Identify your strengths and weaknesses
  • Develop a plan to address your weaknesses and build on your strengths
Contribute to open-source projects
Collaborate on open-source projects to gain experience in leading teams and working on complex projects.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Identify open-source projects that align with your interests
  • Contribute to the project by writing code, fixing bugs, or improving documentation
  • Collaborate with other developers and stakeholders
Volunteer in a leadership capacity
Gain practical leadership experience by volunteering with organizations that support your community or align with your career goals.
Browse courses on Leadership
Show steps
  • Identify organizations that offer volunteer opportunities
  • Apply for a leadership position
  • Lead teams, projects, or initiatives
Mentor aspiring CEOs
Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring aspiring CEOs to reinforce your own understanding.
Browse courses on Mentoring
Show steps
  • Identify individuals who would benefit from your mentorship
  • Develop a mentoring plan
  • Meet with your mentees regularly and provide guidance and support
Participate in business case competitions
Challenge yourself by participating in business case competitions to test your analytical and problem-solving skills.
Browse courses on Leadership
Show steps
  • Identify business case competitions that align with your interests
  • Form a team and prepare your pitch
  • Present your case to a panel of judges

Career center

Learners who complete Rise to Leadership: Become a CEO will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Strategy Consultant
A Strategy Consultant helps companies develop and implement strategies for growth. This course can help you develop the skills to analyze a company’s future opportunities and to develop and execute strategies to capture those opportunities.
Investment Banker
An Investment Banker helps companies raise capital and provides financial advice. This course can help you develop the skills to analyze a company’s financial performance and to make recommendations on how to improve it.
Management Consultant
A Management Consultant helps companies improve their operations. This course can help you develop the skills to identify and solve problems, and to implement solutions that improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Product Manager
A Product Manager is responsible for the development and launch of new products. This course can help you develop the skills to understand customer needs, to develop product specifications, and to manage the product development process.
Marketing Manager
A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns. This course can help you develop the skills to understand consumer behavior, to develop marketing strategies, and to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
Sales Manager
A Sales Manager is responsible for leading and motivating a sales team. This course can help you develop the skills to build relationships with customers, to close deals, and to manage a sales team.
Operations Manager
An Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company. This course can help you develop the skills to manage a team, to improve efficiency, and to ensure that the company is operating profitably.
Human Resources Manager
A Human Resources Manager is responsible for managing the human resources function of a company. This course can help you develop the skills to recruit, hire, and train employees, and to create a positive work environment.
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst is responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations on investment decisions. This course can help you develop the skills to understand financial statements, to analyze financial trends, and to make investment recommendations.
Accountant
An Accountant is responsible for preparing and maintaining financial records. This course may help you develop the skills to record financial transactions, to prepare financial statements, and to comply with tax laws.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business processes and making recommendations for improvements. This course may help you develop the skills to understand business processes, to identify problems, and to develop solutions.
Project Manager
A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course may help you develop the skills to manage projects, to track progress, and to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data. This course may help you develop the skills to understand data analysis techniques, to interpret data, and to communicate insights.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. This course may help you develop the skills to understand software development principles, to work with programming languages, and to solve technical problems.
Web Developer
A Web Developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites. This course may help you develop the skills to understand web development principles, to work with web development tools, and to solve technical problems.

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 Rise to Leadership: Become a CEO.
Provides insights into the behaviors and characteristics of successful CEOs, which can be valuable for aspiring leaders who want to develop their leadership skills.
Offers a practical framework for developing effective strategies, which is essential for CEOs who need to make strategic decisions and guide their organizations.
Explores the challenges faced by established organizations when faced with disruptive innovations, providing insights into how CEOs can navigate these challenges and drive innovation.
Introduces the Lean Startup methodology, which emphasizes iterative development and customer validation, providing valuable insights for CEOs who want to drive innovation and growth.
This classic book provides a framework for effective management practices, offering valuable insights for CEOs who want to improve their leadership and management skills.
Explores the concept of emotional intelligence and its importance in leadership, providing practical tools and techniques for CEOs to enhance their self-awareness and emotional regulation.
Examines the formation and power of habits, providing insights into how CEOs can develop and change their own habits to improve their effectiveness as leaders.
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Explores the principles of motivation and engagement, providing insights into how CEOs can create a work environment that fosters employee motivation and productivity.
Provides a comprehensive guide to lean manufacturing and operations, offering valuable insights for CEOs who want to improve the efficiency and productivity of their organizations.

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