Acquire the fundamentals of leadership and get tips on how to advance according to the needs of your team and organization.
Course Description
This free and open course is a tool in your journey to advance your leadership capability. Leadership training is imperative for advancement in society, higher education and in leadership roles for men and women. Realization of gender equity and equality require national policies, institutional actions, cultural change, mentoring and leadership, all warranted to achieve the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
The foundation of the course is leadership development and will explore the concepts of gender, communication, collaboration, and professionalism across the following three pillars-
Interpersonal
Leadership starts with self-knowledge and self-awareness. Increased self-awareness, self-reflection and understanding of self-advocacy is key. Communication is more than just words, therefore, the importance of culture and gender in communication will be addressed. Gender aspects related to collaboration and professionalism warrants reflection related to the societal and cultural context, both at the institutional and community level.
Leadership
Selected theories and perspectives related to leadership skills, traits and styles will be presented. The transformational leadership style is popular, however experience has shown that many women feel more strongly related to the servant leadership style. Therefore, the opportunity of style flexing will be addressed in addition to the importance of strength-based leadership.
Environment
Strategies for increasing personal networks will be discussed and the "Learning Community of Practice" concept endorsed. We will address a leader’s role, responsibility, and ability to foster a strong, productive, and collaborative work environment.
Learning Objectives
Personal competencies
- Facilitate understanding and the importance of self-awareness
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Foster understanding and strategies for self-reflection
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Foster and increase understanding and importance of self-promotion
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Increase understanding of personal attitude, role, and behavior in a team setting
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Increase understanding of strategies needed in effective communication
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Foster understanding and use of appreciative inquiry in communication and leadership
Skills
- Enhance ability to reflect on leadership skills, traits, and styles
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Use of Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) Analysis in professional assessments
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Time management and project planning
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Increase knowledge and perspective of team building, team work, team culture and team dynamics
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Increase understanding of the importance of mentoring, networks, and community of practice participation
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Increase knowledge about communication types, styles, and roles
Course Structure
Instructions
The course includes 6 modules, and we recommend beginning with Module 1a and 2a-d. The other Modules can be viewed in any random order based on your individual need. Please pause and reflect when indicated. Give yourself an opportunity to ponder the questions provided for each video. Complementary readings or other resources have been provided to some of the modules. Use the "Start Course" button below to begin.
Long-term goals for leadership training
Authenticity: Be a leader with integrity, honesty, personal values, self-awareness, and trustworthiness.
Balancing paradoxes: Be a leader balancing the various personal paradoxes involved in a decision-making process like doubt, realism, and patience.
Motivational: Be a leader, a role model that understands collective consciousness, promotes innovative thinking, exhibits emotional intelligence while sustaining a team.
Transformational: Be an intersectional leader with the ability to influence and inspire action, change and growth.