ESS435

Essentials for Leading in Organizations

Our work and leadership take place in the complex ecosystems of relationships we call organizations. Applying a systems-thinking lens to your leadership practice is of critical importance in these times of complexity and uncertainty, and most people vastly underestimate the power they have to effect positive, systemic change in their communities, teams and organizations.

This course will equip you to constructively influence and promote change, understand the psychology of change, and initiate system-wide change. You'll explore your own beliefs about power, and learn to wield your levers of influence in healthy, conscious and effective ways. You'll discover diverse leadership and organizational models and challenge yourself to decolonize your leadership practice. By doing so, you’ll understand how to shift your workplace culture towards new ways of being and working together, and learn how to create shared meaning around organizational mission, vision, and goals to create clarity, alignment and momentum.

Overview

Location: Online
Format: Self-paced within deadlines set by instructor
Duration: 10 weeks
Tuition: $849
Can be applied to:
Leadership Essentials Certificate

Upcoming Offerings

Register for a course at any time, with the option to apply to a program later.

Start Date
Schedule
Location
Instructor
Cost
Seats Available
Action
Start DateWed, Jul 2, 2025
Schedule
  • Wed, Jul 2 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Jul 9 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Jul 16 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Jul 23 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Jul 30 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Aug 6 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Aug 13 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Aug 20 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Aug 27 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Sep 3 (self-paced all week)
LocationOnline
InstructorPaul M. Taylor
Cost$849.00
Seats Available16
ActionRegister
Start DateWed, Sep 24, 2025
Schedule
  • Wed, Sep 24 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Oct 1 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Oct 8 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Oct 15 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Oct 22 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Oct 29 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Nov 5 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Nov 12 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Nov 19 (self-paced all week)
  • Wed, Nov 26 (self-paced all week)
LocationOnline
InstructorPaul M. Taylor
Cost$875.00
Seats Available30
ActionRegister

What you will learn

After completing this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Apply a systems-thinking and decolonizing lens to an urgent leadership challenge in your organization or community
  • Identify ways in which organizations are embedded within colonial systems
  • Apply strategies to address normalized practices that reinforce systemic bias, inequity and exclusion
  • Use strategies for influencing and navigating organizational change
  • Describe seven levels of organizational functioning
  • Explain the basics of managing projects and project teams, budgeting, setting timelines and creating actionable goals 

How you will learn and be evaluated

  • Prepare to spend about 10 hours per week on coursework
  • Expect reading and other assignments on a weekly basis
  • Plan to access the course at least once every few days to keep up with your work and group assignments

You will be evaluated on:

  • Assignments 
  • Participation in online discussions

Learning Materials

No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.

Technical Requirements

For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.