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Learn about how leaders foster engagement, growth, and a sense of meaning at work in a changing and increasingly diverse environment as part of the UCx Organizational Psychology MicroMasters
After a course session ends, it will be archived.
Leaders influence an organization’s strategic direction, culture, and day-to-day operations. In this course, we will highlight the complexity of leadership processes, and show that leader effectiveness is best understood by considering workplace dynamics and the organization’s external environment.
The course will cover some of the big questions related to leadership. Why do organizations need leaders? Is there one ideal way to lead? How do leaders and leadership development contribute to organizational development? Exploring these questions will be of value to anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of leadership and how to maximize its positive impact at work.
We begin with a brief overview of leadership history, from the ancient world to the present day, which explains how we arrived at contemporary mainstream leadership frameworks.
Our next section will focus on leadership traits and behaviors; students will learn about the traits and behaviors most commonly attributed to effective or ineffective leaders, and how context influences these relationships.
We will then question what is expected from leaders, and why people choose to pursue leadership roles. Students will learn about the role of leader identity and emotions in leadership processes and organizational outcomes.
Next, we will look at leadership development with a particular focus on coaching. Students will be able to explain the impact and limitations of coaching as a leadership development technique, and how to assess its effectiveness.
Our final section describes how leaders foster engagement and sense of meaningful work among employees.
This course is part of the UCx Micromasters in Organizational Psychology, and each key topic will increase your knowledge about this exciting field. In order to qualify for the MicroMasters Credential you will need to earn a Verified Certificate in each of the five courses.
It is helpful to have some work experience and some background in Psychology or Human Resource Management.
The course is also suitable for someone who has experience as a manager and wants to learn about how to best support performance.
How history has shaped expectations of leaders and leadership
Factors that contribute to leader emergence and effectiveness
Role and influence of emotions in leadership
How and why leadership influences employee growth, engagement, and purpose
Who can take this course?
Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.
Who can take this course?
Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.
