Leading Teams is a three-week online course that will empower you with strategies for building and managing effective teams.
This course teaches learners the ins and outs of leading teams effectively, which requires the development and application of appropriate practices for managing internally- and externally-focused teams. The course is well-suited for managers intent on architecting successful, collaborative, and happy teams; technical professionals looking to advance their essential skills and improve the performance of their projects and processes; and individual contributors wanting to perform to their highest potential.
The coursework features numerous practice activities—with immediate feedback—and learning scenarios followed by self-reflection and discussion, as well as a focus on peer-review as an application of the course skills. Also included is a research-based learning simulation, which allows participants to apply their knowledge to the practice of leading teams.
In the first week, learners will focus on how to build high-performance teams, with lectures from professor Deborah Ancona and senior lecturer David Niño as well as optional case study readings selected by the course team to offer an expansion of the topic.
In the second week, professor Ancona will introduce the foundations of xTEAMS and learners will practice with xCHANGE—an interactive learning simulation—as well as via learning scenarios, self-reflections, practice activities, discussions, optional readings, and polls.
In the final week, learners will apply their knowledge to expand upon their understanding of the internal and external team perspectives to create handbook recommendations for the building of effective teams at their company.
Discussion between learners and their peers, as well as the course teaching assistants is promoted throughout the course. There will be one TA-led webinar, allowing learners to connect with their peers, debrief their experience with the simulation, and discuss course-related questions.
This course will provide learners with knowledge and practical experience that they can immediately apply to their current jobs, including:
- Form and lead effective teams
- Improve intra- and inter-team communication and coordination
- Make effective suggestions to team leads and management
- Assume more leadership tasks within their organization
- Become a future leader in their organization