Learn leadership
Leadership involves guiding, motivating, and influencing others to work toward a shared goal. It’s not an innate talent but a set of skills that can be developed and applied in different situations. Continue reading to explore ways you can cultivate and enhance your leadership abilities.
What is leadership?
Leadership involves the ability to persuade, encourage, and inspire others. Leaders must have good interpersonal communication skills; a knack for problem-solving; excellence in decision-making; and the ability to adapt, delegate, empathize, and lead a team.
Leadership skills can benefit managers as they supervise and train employees. The best managers have honed leadership skills that inspire others by setting good examples and encouraging employee growth.
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Choosing the right leadership program for you
edX offers a variety of ways to learn leadership online including courses, executive education programs, and degree programs. The learning path that you select should be based upon your career ambitions, interests, financial resources, and schedule.
Courses
Online courses in leadership can teach you skills that could be valuable in a myriad of careers. Course topics include leadership and communication, management in engineering, and empathy and emotional intelligence.
Certificates
Many leadership programs on edX offer certificates upon completion. These certificates, which cover topics like women's leadership, can be a great way to demonstrate your skills and knowledge as you progress in your career.
Executive education programs
Executive education programs in leadership are designed specifically for working professionals and can be completed in six to eight weeks. Examples of programs include women's leadership, organizational leadership, and communication for influence and impact.
Degrees
edX offers both online bachelor's and master's degrees in leadership that can help you get your start or advance in a leadership career. Bachelor's degrees can be completed in four years of full-time study, and master's degrees typically take two years to earn
Jobs in leadership
Jobs that require leadership capabilities can be found throughout every industry.
Here are a few careers to consider:
| Job title | Job description | Required education | Median annual salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top executive | Top executives organize, plan, and coordinate policies, strategies, and activities to ensure that an organization meets its goals. Types of top executives include chief executive officers (CEOs), general managers, operations managers, government administrators, and school superintendents or presidents. | Bachelor's degree | $103,840 |
| Computer and information systems manager | Computer and information systems managers organize, coordinate, and plan computer-related activities within a business or organization. Types of computer and information systems managers include information technology (IT) directors, IT security managers, chief information officers (CIOs), and chief technology officers (CTOs). | Bachelor's degree | $169,510 |
| Training and development manager | Training and development managers organize, plan, and lead programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of a company's staff. These professionals are employed in almost every industry. | Bachelor's degree | $125,040 |
| Human resources manager | A human resources manager organizes, plans, and leads an organization's administrative operations. They onboard new staff, consult with top executives, and liaise between management and employees. Types of human resources managers include labor relations directors (sometimes referred to as employee relations managers), payroll managers, and recruiting or staffing managers. | Bachelor's degree | $136,350 |
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