Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/leading-teams-developing-as-a-leader

Introduction

**Course Review and Recommendation: Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader** In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, effective leadership is more crucial than ever. The Coursera course "Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader," offered by Gies College of Business, provides a robust platform for aspiring leaders to hone their skills and elevate their capabilities. This foundational course delves into essential leadership concepts and insights, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to grow in this vital area. ### Course Overview "Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader" is meticulously designed to challenge participants to explore and develop their leadership qualities. The course curriculum is structured into four comprehensive modules that cover everything from leadership concepts to personal growth strategies. This ensures that learners not only understand various leadership theories but also can apply them in real-world scenarios. ### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Course Orientation** The course kicks off with an orientation session that familiarizes students with the course structure, classmates, and the learning environment. This initial step is crucial for setting the stage for a collaborative and engaging learning experience. 2. **Module 1: Leadership Defined** This module articulates that leadership is a continuous journey rather than a fixed target. It dives into the historical context and evolving definitions of leadership, emphasizing the competencies and roles necessary for success in contemporary business. This foundational understanding primes participants for deeper self-exploration in subsequent modules. 3. **Module 2: Strategic Self-Leadership** Effective leadership begins with self-awareness. In this segment, learners are encouraged to reflect on their leader identity and the impact it has on their leadership style. The module emphasizes the significance of psychological well-being, ethical decision-making, and self-awareness, enabling participants to navigate their personal journeys as leaders thoughtfully. 4. **Module 3: Leading Others** Leadership is inherently relational, and this module addresses the dynamics involved in leading teams. Key concepts such as Emotional Intelligence, trust-building, and conflict management are examined in depth. These insights equip participants with strategies to foster strong relationships and effectively manage diverse perspectives, essential for any leader. 5. **Module 4: Growing as a Leader** The final module introduces the "three C’s" – Curiosity, Courage, and Commitment – emphasizing their importance for continual leadership development. Learners are encouraged to cultivate these qualities actively to support their ongoing growth as leaders. ### Key Takeaways One of the course's pivotal strengths is its emphasis on practical application. Beyond theoretical frameworks, participants are equipped with tools and strategies that they can implement immediately in their leadership roles. The combination of self-reflection, interpersonal skill development, and ongoing growth practices positions learners to emerge as well-rounded, effective leaders. ### Recommendation I highly recommend "Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader" for anyone looking to strengthen their leadership abilities—whether you are just starting your career or seeking to enhance your existing skill set. This course's thoughtful structure and comprehensive content make it suitable for participants from a variety of backgrounds. By engaging with this material, you not only gain valuable knowledge and skills but also embark on a transformative personal journey that can significantly impact your professional trajectory. In summary, if you are serious about becoming an effective leader, making ethical decisions, and building trusting relationships within teams, this course is an excellent investment in your future. Enroll in "Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader" and take the first step towards becoming the leader you aspire to be.

Syllabus

COURSE ORIENTATION

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.

Leadership is a journey, not an end state. In this module, you will begin to explore the concept of leadership to set the stage for your own growth as a leader. We will provide a definition of leadership that will give you areas of growth to pay attention to over the remainder of the course. In addition to defining leadership, we will explore a brief history of leadership as a field of study and highlight the key competencies and roles that leaders can develop to succeed in today's business environment.

Effective leadership starts with the self. Leading others is a relationship, and therefore we have to own our role in the process of leadership. In this module, we will explore the idea of leader identity – do you see yourself as a leader? - and how this affects our ability to lead effectively. We will look at the science of self-awareness, helping to articulate what self-awareness means and how to cultivate it. We will dive deeply into human decision making – identifying what helps us make both effective and ethical decisions. Finally, we wrap this module with the idea of psychological well-being, which is arguably one of the most topical issues for leaders today.

To lead effectively, we have to understand our relationships with others. In this module, we will explore key concepts that help us build trusting relationships and understand the people who look to us as leaders. We start with arguably one of the most important concepts of the past couple of decades – Emotional Intelligence. From here, we define the importance of trust and how to build trusting relationships. We look at the way power – both formal power and psychological feelings of power – can affect our ability to build those trusting relationships. Finally, we consider how to navigate differences of opinion – by discussing negotiation and conflict management strategies as leaders.

Leadership growth requires constant attention in practice. In this module, we introduce you to the three C’s - three key practices to cultivate as you continue to develop as a leader. We explore why Curiosity, Courage, and Commitment matter and how you can practice them yourself.