This course is part of the Principles of Leadership: Leading Oneself Specialization

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Ron Duren Jr.

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Part of the Master of Engineering in Engineering Management degree
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Principles of Leadership: Leading Oneself SpecializationUniversity of Colorado Boulder

About this Course

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Before we can lead others well, we must first learn to lead ourselves well. Knowing your why is an important part of this journey. In this course, you will identify your core purpose and recognize meaning in your life, explore the power of spirituality and embracing our mortality, create a lasting impact by serving a greater good, describe your character and practice personal excellence.
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.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 3 in the

Principles of Leadership: Leading Oneself Specialization

Beginner Level

This course requires no prior training, knowledge or experience. Individuals, team leaders and executives will all benefit from the course content.

Approx. 33 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Reflect on what it means to you to live a good life so you can live with intent.
Define the elements of a personal ethos and understand how to lead a values-based life.
Reflect on how important legacy is to you and how it can shape your actions and behaviors.

Skills you will gain

character
meaning
Purpose
Excellence
Values

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 3 in the

Principles of Leadership: Leading Oneself Specialization

Beginner Level

This course requires no prior training, knowledge or experience. Individuals, team leaders and executives will all benefit from the course content.

Approx. 33 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Ron Duren Jr.

Teaching Assistant Professor

Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science

1,693 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

Start working towards your Master's degree

This course is part of the 100% online Master of Engineering in Engineering Management from University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted to the full program, your courses count towards your degree learning.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

8 hours to complete

Defining Purpose and Creating Meaning

This week we will explore the often contentious concepts of purpose and meaning. We will explore such questions as: Does my life have meaning? What is my purpose for being here? Are these important to live my best life? You will come away with an understanding of how coherence, purpose and significance play a part in meaning. Lastly, with this clarity, we will craft a plan to live our lives with focused intent.

8 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 39 min), 15 readings, 2 quizzes

5 videos

Meet your Professor (for new learners)2mCourse Summary3mPurpose14mMeaning6mLiving With Intent11m

15 readings

Welcome and Where to Find Help10mAbout the Leadership Excellence Areté Workbook5mDownload the Leadership Excellence Areté Workbook5mWorkbook Exercise: Journal 1.1 — Establishing a Sense of Purpose30mThe Three Meanings of Meaning in Life: Distinguishing Coherence, Purpose, and Significance30mThe Last Lecture (optional)1h 20mHow to Ikigai15mWorkbook Exercise: Defining your Ikigai10mThe Philosophy of Ikigai: 3 Examples About Finding Purpose30mWorkbook Exercise: Journal 1.2 — Creating Meaning30mSteve Jobs Commencement Speech15mCan Helping Others Help You Find Meaning in Life?30mAwakening from the Meaning Crisis1hWorkbook Exercise: Journal 1.3 — Living with Intent30mHow to Stop Screwing Yourself Over15m

2 practice exercises

Unlock the Companion Workbook! 5mWeek 1 Knowledge Check30m

Week2

Week 2

5 hours to complete

Exploring Spirituality and Mortality

Research has proven that having a spiritual practice enhances life wellbeing. In the past, spirituality has been synonymous with a religious practice. Although that still holds true for many, new evidence supports the idea that spirituality does not need to include a religious component. No matter your beliefs, believing you are part of something bigger than yourself has positive correlation to a better life. We will explore this and how reflecting on our mortality can enhance life.

5 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 27 min), 10 readings, 1 quiz

2 videos

Spirituality12mMortality15m

10 readings

The Science of Spirituality30mContemporary Humanism and Spirituality30mWorkbook Exercise: Developing Spiritual Wellness30mWorkbook Exercise: Journal 2.2 — Remember You Must Die30mWhen Death is Good for Life: Considering the Positive Trajectories of Terror Management30mA 97-Year-Old Philosopher Ponders Life and Death: 'What Is the Point?20mWhy Being Aware of Your Mortality Can be Good For You30mLife and Death: A Cosmic Perspective10mI Don't Fear Death5mWorkbook Exercise: Eulogy Exercise30m

1 practice exercise

Week 2 Knowledge Check30m

Week3

Week 3

5 hours to complete

Understanding Legacy and Impact

This week, we will examine legacy and impact. Legacy is future looking, whereas impact is often present moment thinking. Some will say that our legacy is overrated and that having the most impact while we are alive should be the goal. How important is it to leave a lasting legacy? How long will your legacy last? We will contrast legacy and impact and the importance of each. What impact are you having on the world, and those you interact with, in the present?

5 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 25 min), 11 readings, 1 quiz

2 videos

Legacy16mImpact8m

11 readings

Workbook Exercise: Journal 3.1 — Leaving a Legacy30mMiracle of the Andes: How Survivors of the Flight Disaster Struggled to Stay Alive30mMiracle in the Andes15mRedefining the Impossible15mLegacy is a Waste of Time5mThe Best Speech about Humanity5mWorkbook Exercise: Journal 3.2 — Making an Impact30mAdmiral McCraven Commencement Speech20mThere's More to Life than Being Happy20mOn the Shortness of Life30mMacklemore Music Video5m

1 practice exercise

Week 3 Knowledge Check30m

Week4

Week 4

8 hours to complete

Developing Character and Values

8 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 18 min), 12 readings, 1 quiz

2 videos

Character and Ethos7mPersonal Values9m

12 readings

Workbook Exercise: Journal 4.1 — Developing Character30mWhat Is Character? Its 3 True Qualities and How to Develop It30mForging Mettle Podcast — Jim Loehr — Good Character Fuels High Performance1hHow Core Values Help You Find Your Purpose30mUnleashing Your Core Values20mWorkbook Exercise: Self exploration: Identity, Values, Experiences and Goals45mWorkbook Exercise: Define Core Values 45mForging Mettle Podcast: Rorke Denver — 'Act of Valor' Isn't Just a Movie Tixtle52mDeveloping Your Personal Ethos30mWorkbook Exercise: Define your Mission30mWorkbook Exercise: Define your Vision10mWorkbook Exercise: Define your Personal Mantra10m

1 practice exercise

Week 4 Knowledge Check30m

About the Principles of Leadership: Leading Oneself Specialization

Humans have an innate desire to improve, grow and perform well. In this specialization we will provide tactics and tools to perform at your best. This course is about personal excellence, as defined by you. Whether you are a brand-new manager, an individual contributor, a CEO, or a retiree seeking improvement, this course is for you. It applies broadly to anyone with a thirst to perform better in whatever arena you choose. In this course you will learn leading edge performance tactics from the latest research and brightest minds: awareness, emotion regulation, calmness under pressure, motivation, goals, planning, and focus. Our mission is to give you the tools needed to lead a more fulfilling life and perform at your best when it matters most. This specialization 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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