Empower leadership and champion change for women in the workplace.
Purposeful career development depends on the change brought to workplaces through gender equity. The main objective of Case Western Reserve University’s Women in Leadership: Inspiring Positive Change course, taught by Dr. Diana Bilimoria, is to enable students to pursue meaningful professional growth and lead with conviction in order to effect positive change. This course examines organisational gender dynamics, career advancement tactics, and the opportunities and problems women encounter in the workplace. It blends academic knowledge with hands-on activities to improve professional and personal growth, eventually producing leaders who can spur advancement and inspire change in their communities and workplaces.
Module 1: Yourself as a Leader
This module provides a comprehensive exploration of the objectives, learning goals, and key questions surrounding women’s leadership in both the United States and globally. It critically examines current research to identify the strengths, styles, and aspirations of women in leadership roles. Emphasis is placed on leading with authentic purpose, where the concept of inspiring leadership is defined and the strategies employed by high-achieving women are analysed. The module further delves into the importance of values and leadership vision, focusing on the development of a leader’s identity, and providing valuable insights into the personal and professional growth of women leaders.
Videos: 2
Readings: 3
Assignments: 2
Discussion Prompts: 4
Module 2: The Current State of Women’s Leadership at the Top!
The second module of the course focuses on the representation and status of women in senior leadership positions in organisations and governments across the world. Statistics depicting the representation of women executives and directors on corporate boards are especially focused on as well as addressing why women at the top matter, the nature of the glass ceiling phenomenon, and what countries are doing to address and remedy the glass ceiling effect. Additionally, the module examines organisational, interpersonal and individual level barriers and challenges that constrain the advancements of women.
Videos: 2
Readings: 2
Assignments: 2
Discussion Prompts: 5
Module 3: Women’s Leadership Presence
In this module, Dr. Bilimoria brings in a doctoral student to talk about her own self-confidence journey, providing tips about demonstrating self-confidence through voice and effective non-verbal communication. She further discusses navigating politics and gaining influence in organisations. Organisational politics and power is defined and strategies are discussed to respond positively to political situations in organisations to deploy power and influence. Moreover, the roles of unwritten rules in organisations are studied to learn how to develop social capital to build relationships and form alliances necessary for effective performance and career development.
Videos: 2
Readings: 2
Assignments: 2
Discussion Prompts: 5
Module 4: Leadership Tools for Women
The fourth module is dedicated to developing effective negotiation skills, with attention to the gender gap in negotiation practices and the consequences women face when they do not negotiate. It explores the principles of win-win negotiating, emphasising a collaborative approach to achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. Key concepts, such as interest-based negotiation, the Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA), and the role of emotions in negotiations, are thoroughly examined, providing participants with a deeper understanding of the dynamics involved in successful negotiation strategies.
Videos: 1
Readings: 1
Assignments: 1
Discussion Prompts: 4
Module 5: Purposeful Career Development for Women
The final module discusses two key issues of purpose-driven career development: defining one’s own success and gaining enhanced clarity about career planning and work-life integration issues. This segment concludes with two exercises – ‘Life Roles’ and ‘Defining Own Success’, followed by a reflection on the insights gleaned. Finally, closure to the course is offered, recapping the sessions completed and offering encouragement for participants’ future leadership that makes a positive difference to the world.
Videos: 1
Readings: 1
Assignments: 1
Discussion Prompts: 2
COURSE OVERVIEW
Platform: Coursera
Duration: 3 – 5 weeks
Difficulty: Beginner
Flexibility: Self-paced
