Data-Driven Leadership Skills Course 1: Leadership Narrative from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

The Leadership Legacy

Before we can think about leadership in the 21st Century, the Information Age, we need to think about what people thought about leadership in the past. Why? Because the legacy of these ideas about leadership live on to a large extent. If you have any sort of leadership training, or perhaps read a book about leadership, the chances are you have been exposed to powerful narratives about heroic leaders and authority. Perhaps your current view of leadership is heavily stereotyped? Perhaps the organisation you work for prefers 'traditional' or 'old school' leadership. These paradigms still exert influence; sometimes for good and sometimes for bad. In any case, this module will explain where these views come from and what conditions leaders dealt with. This will help you to understand why we are still dealing with legacy leadership styles, how thet can help, and what new situations call for a different approach.

The Death of Leadership

Some claim that leadership, as a concept, is in decline and may no longer be important. However, this may be a little premature or even naive. Leadership has always been important but authority and centralised decision-making are very recent, perhaps ephemeral, developments. As you move through this narrative of leadership, you will learn how leadership is changing. Due to the data deluge and hyper connected work places, high degrees of centralisation are becoming a thing of the past. Many firms are favouring more networked and less hierarchical approaches . Additionally, the introduction of social science in the 20th Century has radically shaken up some of the romantic ideas about leadership.

The Rise of Agility

So far we have explored the origins of traditional leadership and how this changed in the 20th Century. In the 21st Century we see the birth of a new business model: agility. Agility, like a lot of management and leadership ideas, has its roots in the military. The US military actively researched and developed ways of becoming more agile in the early 21st Century. Many other prominent military powers already embraced agility, especially in NATO. But what is agility and how does it relate to data? In this module, we will learn about agility in leadership.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines leadership from the perspective of its history, which provides context for modern interpretations

Develops the concept of authenticity in leadership through historical exploration

Introduces the idea that traditional leadership models may not fully explain leadership qualities

Taught by instructor Matt Offord, who has expertise in leadership development

Requires extensive background knowledge in leadership theory

May require learners to purchase additional materials

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 Data-Driven Leadership Skills Course 1: Leadership Narrative with these activities:

Read 'Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World'

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Expand your understanding of leadership in a complex and ever-changing world by exploring the insights and perspectives offered in this seminal book.

View Restoring Sanity: Practices to Awaken... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book
Set aside dedicated time for reading
Take notes and reflect on the key concepts and ideas

Network with Industry Professionals

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Build connections with experienced leaders and professionals in your field, fostering knowledge sharing and potential mentorship opportunities.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify industry events and conferences
Prepare an elevator pitch
Attend the event and actively network

Develop a Personal Leadership Philosophy

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Engage with tutorials and resources that foster introspection and the creation of your own leadership philosophy, promoting personal growth.

Browse courses on Authentic Leadership

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Attend the live session on Authentic Leadership
Complete the self-assessment exercise
Draft your personal leadership statement

Four other activities

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Practice Agile Thinking and Execution

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Enhance your leadership skills by actively practicing and applying agile principles in real-world situations, promoting adaptability and effectiveness.

Browse courses on Agile Leadership

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Read the case study on Agile Leadership
Participate in the group project on Agile Execution

Design a Leadership Development Plan

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Create a comprehensive plan that outlines your personal leadership development goals, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

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Identify your leadership strengths and areas for improvement
Set specific and measurable development goals
Develop a timeline and strategies for achieving your goals

Mentor Junior Leaders

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Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring junior leaders, fostering the growth and development of future generations.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify a junior leader or colleague who could benefit from guidance
Offer your mentorship and support
Regularly meet to provide advice and encouragement

Attend a Leadership Development Workshop

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Deepen your understanding and skills through a specialized workshop tailored to leadership development, fostering interactive learning and exposure to best practices.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

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Research and select a reputable leadership development workshop
Reserve your spot and attend the workshop
Actively participate and engage with the workshop content

Career center

Learners who complete Data-Driven Leadership Skills Course 1: Leadership Narrative will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) are responsible for the overall success of their companies. They make decisions that affect every aspect of the business, from product development to marketing to customer service. A data-driven leadership approach can help CEOs make more informed decisions and lead their companies to success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officers (COOs) are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their companies. They work with other executives to develop and implement strategies, and they oversee the work of all departments. A data-driven leadership approach can help COOs make better decisions and improve the efficiency of their companies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are responsible for managing the finances of their companies. They prepare financial statements, manage cash flow, and make investment decisions. A data-driven leadership approach can help CFOs make better decisions and improve the financial health of their companies.

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Chief Information Officer

Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are responsible for managing the technology infrastructure of their companies. They work with other executives to develop and implement technology strategies, and they oversee the work of all IT departments. A data-driven leadership approach can help CIOs make better decisions and improve the efficiency of their companies.

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Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns for their companies. They work with other executives to develop brand strategies, and they oversee the work of all marketing departments. A data-driven leadership approach can help CMOs make better decisions and improve the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Human Resources Officer

Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) are responsible for managing the human resources of their companies. They work with other executives to develop and implement HR strategies, and they oversee the work of all HR departments. A data-driven leadership approach can help CHROs make better decisions and improve the efficiency of their HR departments.

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Chief Strategy Officer

Chief Strategy Officers (CSOs) are responsible for developing and implementing corporate strategies. They work with other executives to identify opportunities and threats, and they develop plans to achieve the company's goals. A data-driven leadership approach can help CSOs make better decisions and develop more effective strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Strategy Officer

Director of Operations

Directors of Operations are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their organizations. They work with other managers to develop and implement operational plans, and they oversee the work of all operational departments. A data-driven leadership approach can help Directors of Operations make better decisions and improve the efficiency of their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Director of Operations

Director of Marketing

Directors of Marketing are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns for their organizations. They work with other managers to develop brand strategies, and they oversee the work of all marketing departments. A data-driven leadership approach can help Directors of Marketing make better decisions and improve the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Director of Marketing

Director of Sales

Directors of Sales are responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies for their organizations. They work with other managers to identify target markets, and they oversee the work of all sales departments. A data-driven leadership approach can help Directors of Sales make better decisions and improve the effectiveness of their sales strategies.

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Manager of Operations

Managers of Operations are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their departments. They work with other managers to develop and implement operational plans, and they oversee the work of all operational staff. A data-driven leadership approach can help Managers of Operations make better decisions and improve the efficiency of their departments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manager of Operations

Manager of Marketing

Managers of Marketing are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns for their departments. They work with other managers to develop brand strategies, and they oversee the work of all marketing staff. A data-driven leadership approach can help Managers of Marketing make better decisions and improve the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manager of Marketing

Manager of Sales

Managers of Sales are responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies for their departments. They work with other managers to identify target markets, and they oversee the work of all sales staff. A data-driven leadership approach can help Managers of Sales make better decisions and improve the effectiveness of their sales strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manager of Sales

Team Leader

Team Leaders are responsible for leading and motivating their teams. They work with other team members to develop and implement team goals, and they provide support and guidance to their team members. A data-driven leadership approach can help Team Leaders make better decisions and improve the effectiveness of their teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Team Leader