In this Specialization, you’ll learn how to lead innovation—from generating better ideas with your team to implementing initiatives that drive real organizational change. You’ll start by building a repeatable creativity practice. You’ll learn when and why creativity matters, how to shift perspectives to spot new possibilities, and how to move through the creative process with more confidence and momentum. You’ll also learn how to sustain progress through setbacks and build a supportive culture where creativity can thrive.
Next, you’ll focus on creative collaboration. You’ll learn how to pitch ideas so others feel clarity and excitement, how to evaluate ideas (yours and others’) so great solutions aren’t missed, and how to lead groups so collaboration supports innovation instead of shutting it down.
From there, you’ll transition into strategic innovation management. You’ll use research-informed frameworks and practical tools to implement innovation initiatives inside established firms, including when disruptive technologies change the rules. You’ll explore leadership of new product development teams, planning and evaluation of innovation efforts, and managing innovation across organizational boundaries (like alliances or virtual firms). Finally, you’ll build leadership skills for innovation at scale—balancing new and established markets (ambidexterity), designing and leading innovation teams, and planning change initiatives that address resistance.
Applied Learning Project
You’ll practice innovation skills through short, applied exercises. You’ll generate ideas using perspective-shift techniques, then build and refine pitches that make your ideas clear and compelling. You’ll evaluate and improve ideas in team-style activities that teach facilitation and collaboration habits. Later, you’ll analyze innovation scenarios to choose implementation approaches, plan and evaluate initiatives (including disruptive technology cases), and outline change actions that anticipate resistance. You’ll also apply ambidexterity concepts to balance new and established work while designing innovation teams to execute.
