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A Technical Leader's Qualities and Effectiveness

A Technical Leader's Qualities and Effectiveness

This course is part of Principles of Leadership: Leading Technical Teams Specialization

Instructor: Daniel Moorer

4,640 already enrolled

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

21 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

8 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

Build toward a degree

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

21 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

8 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

Build toward a degree

Learn more

What you'll learn

Understand and apply the principles of establishing a vision for an organization.
Understand the value of collaboration in bringing a team together under one vision.
Understand why stakeholders are important to any leader's actions and how to manage them.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Principles of Leadership: Leading Technical Teams Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

This course describes the traits of Great Leaders who combine fierce resolve with personal humility. Indeed, they might be described more as “plow horses” as opposed to “show horses”. They see themselves as servants to the team and to the organization. They “hold the line” when faced with tough decisions and “do what must be done” when the time comes. Their leadership is based on solid ethical principles and they act with quiet, calm determination.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

Module details

Understand the value of vision, courage, and resilience as a leader.

What's included

4 videos9 readings3 discussion prompts

4 videosTotal 22 minutes

Introduction to this Course6 minutes
What Is "Vision" and Why Is It Critically Important?6 minutes
Courage: What Is It and How Can We Tap Into It?4 minutes
Great Leaders and Resilience5 minutes

9 readingsTotal 81 minutes

Course Updates and Accessibility Support1 minute
Non-Credit Students: Welcome and Where to Find Help10 minutes
About the Assignments 10 minutes
Writing an Inspiring Vision Statement10 minutes
How To Construct a Vision Statement10 minutes
Five Characteristics of a Courageous Leader10 minutes
What Does Courage Look Like in a Leader?10 minutes
Resilience in Leadership10 minutes
Increasing Your Resilience as a Leader10 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

Value of Vision10 minutes
Are You a Courageous Leader?10 minutes
Are You a Resilient Leader?10 minutes

Understand the value of positive outlook, responsibility, and collaboration as a leader.

What's included

3 videos4 readings3 discussion prompts

3 videosTotal 15 minutes

Look for What Is Going Right Instead of What Is Going Wrong!5 minutes
What Does It Mean To Take Responsibility For the Actions Of Your Team?4 minutes
The Collaborative Leader Is Unique in Many Ways!6 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

The Power of the Positive on an Organization's Resilience10 minutes
Positivity Is Like Water in the Desert10 minutes
The Highest Mark of Great Leaders10 minutes
Why Collaboration Is Important As a Leader10 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 30 minutes

Do You Have a Positive Outlook?10 minutes
Do You Take Responsibility?10 minutes
Value of Positivity10 minutes

Understand the value of continuing to grow as a leader while avoiding pitfalls.

What's included

2 videos3 readings2 discussion prompts

2 videosTotal 15 minutes

Leaders Practice Leadership in the Same Way That Attorneys Practice Law6 minutes
The Signs of Deteriorating Leadership9 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Personal Leadership Growth10 minutes
Personal Development Is Part of Growth10 minutes
Avoiding Cynicism as a Leader10 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

How Will You Grow?10 minutes
Do You Have the Best Intentions?10 minutes

To survive as a leader in today's workplace, it is necessary for the leader to have some proficiency in various specialties. These include negotiation, office politics, stakeholder management, and having a mentor. Each of these helps the leader to negotiate the environment in which they will find themselves.

What's included

4 videos4 readings1 peer review4 discussion prompts

4 videosTotal 27 minutes

A Key Element Of Negotiation Is Preparation5 minutes
Wherever Two Or More People Gather, Drama Ensues7 minutes
Stakeholders: Who Are They, Why Are They Important, and How Might You Manage Them6 minutes
Having a Mentor Is a Wise Move For Any Leader8 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Negotiation for a Leader10 minutes
How the Best Leaders Navigate Office Politics10 minutes
Keeping Stakeholders In the Loop10 minutes
Finding a Mentor To Support You as a Leader10 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 90 minutes

Reflection on a Technical Leader's Qualities and Effectiveness90 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 40 minutes

How Do You Negotiate?10 minutes
How Do You Navigate Office Politics?10 minutes
How Do You Manage Stakeholders?10 minutes
Do You Have A Mentor?10 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Build toward a degree

This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹