High Stakes Leadership: Leading in Times of Crisis

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/high-stakes-leadership

Introduction

### Course Review: High Stakes Leadership: Leading in Times of Crisis **Overview** In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable business world, effective leadership during times of crisis is a crucial skill. Coursera’s course "High Stakes Leadership: Leading in Times of Crisis" is designed specifically for leaders who want to enhance their capabilities to navigate complex disruptions seamlessly. With a focus on stakeholder perspectives and the development of resilience—both personally and organizationally—this course equips participants with the strategic insights and tools necessary to lead through adversity successfully. **Course Structure** The course unfolds over four weeks, meticulously structured into modules that each address critical components of crisis leadership. Let’s delve deeper into what each week offers: **Weeks 1 & 2: Understanding the VUCA Environment and Developing Resilience** The first week introduces the concept of VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) environments, helping participants understand the heightened risk of organizational crises in such conditions. Gaining a comprehensive perspective on various stakeholders provides a vital framework for leaders navigating crises. In the second week, the course focuses on building resilience. Understanding how to anticipate threats and manage adverse situations effectively ensures that organizations can adapt and persist. Tools for predicting stakeholder reactions during crises are also provided, enabling leaders to tailor their responses strategically. **Weeks 3 & 4: Crisis Varieties and Leadership Skills** The third week covers different types of crises and the unique responses each necessitates. This critical understanding emphasizes that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work in crisis leadership. The final week culminates with an exploration of effective crisis leadership characteristics. Beyond just managing a crisis, leaders are guided on how to prepare for future incidents, ensuring that they are always a step ahead in their crisis management efforts. **Strengths** 1. **Practical Relevance**: The course is grounded in real-world scenarios that leaders regularly face, making the content not only theoretical but also applicable. 2. **Holistic Coverage**: By including stakeholder perspectives and the importance of resilience, participants gain a multi-faceted view of crisis management. 3. **Expert Insights**: The instructors provide invaluable expertise, drawing from their experiences and case studies, enhancing the learning experience. **Who Should Take This Course?** The course is highly recommended for business leaders, managers, and anyone in a position of influence within an organization who wants to strengthen their crisis management skills. Whether you're involved in strategic planning or on-the-ground management, the insights gained here can be transformative. **Recommendation** If you are looking to refine your leadership approach during challenging times and want to build a culture of resilience within your organization, "High Stakes Leadership: Leading in Times of Crisis" is an excellent choice. With its concise modules and practical framework, this course will empower you to lead effectively and inspire confidence among your stakeholders, even in the most daunting circumstances. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your crisis leadership toolkit!

Syllabus

Modules 1 & 2: Course Introduction and Our VUCA Environment Demands a Focus on Stakeholders

During the first course week, participants will gain an appreciation for the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment in which their businesses must operate and how these conditions have dramatically increased the likelihood of an organizational crisis. Participants will also gain a deep understanding of organizational stakeholders and how the perspectives of these stakeholders become vitally important frames of reference for leaders during a crisis.

During the second week of the course, participants will learn how to increase their organization’s capacity for resilience, defined as the ability to anticipate potential threats; to cope effectively with adverse events when they occur; and to adapt to changing conditions, ensuring a viable path forward for everyone involved. Participants will also explore this week a model for understanding and predicting how stakeholders will respond to crises that threaten their value proposition with an enterprise.

During the third course week, participants will examine a collection of different crisis types and how each type requires a unique response from crisis leaders. This week will also present a detailed look at the nature of the crisis environment, which will explain why crisis leadership is one of the most challenging aspects of any leader’s set of responsibilities.

During the fourth and final week of the course, participants will explore the key characteristics of effective crisis leaders and how to effectively demonstrate leadership before, during, and after a crisis. Then, to bring the course to a close, participants will work through a collection of steps that will help them effectively prepare for their next inevitable crisis.