Navigating and Leveraging Culture and Networks is a 3-week online course that will analyze the reality and function of how networks and culture operate in organizations and how they affect the ability to lead.
The course teaches you to accurately analyze, diagnose, and understand an organization's culture, utilizing Schein's three levels of culture—Artifacts, Espoused Values, and Basic Underlying Assumptions. It will increase your ability to operate within an organization and navigate organizational barriers to change in order to implement successful initiatives.
The course is well-suited for professionals and entrepreneurs in business, industry, government, and other organizations at all levels who want to function effectively and efficiently within an organization, lead change efforts, and perform to their highest potential.
The coursework features video lectures, real-world case studies, and interactive projects, with a focus on peer-review as an application of the course skills. Assessments include numerous practice activities—with immediate feedback—and learning scenarios, followed by self-reflection and discussion with peers and course TAs. Learners will also practice applying their knowledge and skills in a research-based learning simulation focused on change management.
In the first week, you will develop a functional understanding of organizational culture and subculture, including how cultures originate and evolve. You will learn to diagnose and understand organizational culture from different perspectives, and appreciate the fundamental importance of understanding culture to effective leadership.
In the second week, you will develop understanding of networks within organizations from multiple perspectives, and explore the intersection of networks and organizational culture to describe the benefits they convey. You will review real-world case studies and develop plans to apply the lessons learned to your own organization.
In the third week, you will explore the Harvard Business School-developed change management simulation to develop your ability to lead strategic change in an organization. The simulation will provide a safe environment to acquire hands-on experience and will test your ability to manage a change initiative within an organization.
This course will deepen your understanding of both organizational culture and networks at all levels, and will provide you with the awareness, tools, and practical experience you’ll need to effectively and efficiently operate and lead change within your organization.