A blueprint of an introductory course on how to shift leadership orientation from ‘self’ to ‘system’.
Effective leadership demands evolution beyond traditional top-down authority. Organisations face multidimensional challenges that exceed individual capabilities, requiring an agile, collaborative approach. This is where ‘connected leadership’ comes in – fostering a shared sense of purpose across all levels by building trusting relationships, tapping collective intelligence, and empowering teams.
Connected leaders focus less on isolated decision-making and more on understanding interconnections to recognise how different people intersect to impact broader organisational goals. By harnessing diverse perspectives in a spirit of open trust and communication, connected leaders drive sustainable progress. The new imperative is to redefine leadership as connecting across all levels to lead change together.
Yale’s online course, Connected Leaders compacts broad organisational wisdom into easily applied leadership techniques that yield multiplied returns. This 3-week online leadership course unpacks a framework for purpose-driven leadership that enables participants to drive progress at the personal, team, and organisational levels. Through reflection, toolkits, and a community approach, the course crystallises purpose and potential while imparting concrete skills for systems thinking and collaborative change. It equips individuals to activate their talents, galvanise teams, and cultivate their capacity as creative forces within multifaceted organisations. The result is purpose-fueled, connected leadership that transforms from the inside out.
MODULE 1 : INTRODUCTION TO CONNECTED LEADERSHIP
The course is initiated with a comprehensive module that outlines the course structure, overarching objectives, and crucial elements designed to maximise individuals’ learning experience. It delves into a thorough exploration of the meaning of the terms ‘connected’ and ‘leadership’, providing clarity on how these terminologies will be employed within the context of the course. Furthermore, the module features an accompanying ‘readings’ section, offering a supplementary workbook on connected leadership, which serves to enrich learners’ comprehension of the fundamental principles. The purpose of the course overview is to emulate a live classroom where students get their most frequently asked questions answered through a structured demonstration of the course contents. Additionally, the introductory module presents tried and tested approaches and best practices to make the most out of the course, ensuring all course outcomes are achieved at the end of the 3-week.
Duration: 1 hour
Videos: 6
Readings: 4
Quizzes: 0
MODULE 2 : SELF
The ‘Self’ module sets the foundation for learners’ transformation into purpose-driven, connected leaders. It initiates their journey by prompting introspection into their individual purpose. Learners navigate through the core beliefs that have shaped their path, drawing upon these insights to craft a compelling vision and actionable plan for the future. During this process, learners are encouraged to create a ‘life on one page’ map – a visual tool connecting their purpose, priorities and vision of potential success. Additionally, participants will also acquire some practical strategies to maximise their time and impact. The map helps pen down abstract thoughts of leadership into actionable steps to set them on a path to become a source of inspiration for others. To help learners understand themselves better, the supplementary reading of this module includes a VIA Personality Type test. In total, the module includes more than 215 minutes of reading material geared towards identifying ways how improving self can help lead others.
Duration: 7 hours
Videos: 11
Readings: 9
Quizzes: 1
MODULE 3 : TEAMS
Building upon the self-discovery journey, the ‘Teams’ module explores the synergistic relationship between individual and collective purpose. Participants delve deeper, connecting personal aspirations, strengths, and progress to those of their team members. Utilising a similar framework as the ‘Self’ module, team members are required to articulate a shared purpose and translate it into cohesive goals, vision, and values. This will equip them with practical leadership tools, as well as help them learn to maximise team impact and foster effective communication. The ‘Teams’ module includes a highly comprehensive reading list including articles on scientific discovery, self-transformation, communicating vision, mission and values, principles of networking, the psychology of conflict, and conflict resolution. Throughout the module, learners are required to continuously evaluate each other through a peer-review system. Additionally, the module includes 5 discussion prompts for deeper engagement.
Duration: 8 hours
Videos: 11
Readings: 16
Quizzes: 1
MODULE 4 : SYSTEMS
The ‘Systems’ module develops on the learning journey by equipping participants to address challenges at a systemic level using a systematic approach. Building upon self-awareness and team dynamics, learners will identify a system-level issue they want to solve, and leveraging the skills honed in the previous modules, develop an actionable plan for positive change. This module also introduces the basic principles of systems thinking, enabling participants to analyse interdependencies and identify critical leverage points. Learners gain knowledge on practical strategies to maximise their impact through systemic interventions, drawing on real-world examples to sustain positive momentum. The reading materials for this module include guidelines for causal loop diagrams, understanding when to intervene in a system, and demonstrating how systems leadership is connected to sustainable development.
Duration: 8 hour
Videos: 13
Readings: 8
Quizzes: 1
MODULE 5 : LOOKING FORWARD
The final module serves as a bridge between learning and action, prompting participants to reflect on their journey as purpose-driven, connected leaders. They will assess the tools and strategies that resonated most deeply, identifying how to integrate them into their ongoing leadership practice. This introspective process encourages reflection on their personal growth and evolution. With humility and curiosity, participants will also revisit the system they desire to improve, refining their action plan with renewed clarity and commitment. This module revisits the map made in Module 1 and puts the learner through a peer review process to test their knowledge. A final, end-of-module discussion prompt encourages learners to talk about how they plan on moving forward as a ‘Connected Leader’.
Duration: 4 hours
Videos: 1
Readings: 3
Quizzes: 2
