What is Leadership?

Develop leadership skills and strategies

In this 2-week course, we look to answer the question: What is leadership? This thought-provoking course will help you discover more about yourself and others as we explore leadership.

By delving into sources of power and influence, and exploring how perception shapes behaviour, you will be able to address important issues more effectively.

Explore effective leadership and what it means to be a leader

In the first week, we explore two fundamental perspectives on leadership: a leader as a person and leadership as a practice. You’ll also explore how leadership is defined by researchers and practitioners.

It’s important to have role models, and we’ll reflect on your responsibility as a leader to also be a good role model. What does your choice of role model say about you?

Discover your leadership style and influencing power

In the following week, we’ll examine the difference between leadership and management so you can determine where you lie on the scale. Your role will affect how relationships play out in the workplace.

Thinking about leadership in practice, you’ll also discover ways in which individual differences influence how people see leadership and learn how to manage perceptions as a leader.

This course will assist busy professionals who already have management responsibilities and experience but need to expand their knowledge and capabilities in leading organisations.

Take your learning to the next stage

This course is a free introduction to a Deakin University postgraduate degree in Leadership which can be done entirely on FutureLearn

• An introduction to leadership
• Getting started
• Who do you see as a leader?
• What is leadership?
• Weekly wrap
• Leadership in practice
• Power: leadership vs management
• Difference, perception and leadership
• It's a wrap