Leadership in an Exponentially Changing World

In a world that is changing exponentially, the skills needed to lead have evolved. In order to manage teams more effectively and become a successful leader, professionals need to identify their personal leadership style and adapt their approaches. A 21st century construct for leading requires leveraging others – both inside and outside a team and organization – to successfully address and overcome organizational challenges, and drive innovation.

The Leadership in an Exponentially Changing World online short course provides a step-by- step guide to the 4-CAPS+ Leadership Framework, developed by Faculty Director Deborah Ancona and her colleagues at MIT. The framework provides key insights into the skills required for effective leadership. This course is based on our in-person program, Transforming Your Leadership Strategy.

It also explores how leaders can understand different situations, build relationships, create a compelling vision for a business, enhance credibility, and invent processes to achieve that vision and respond to change.

This online short course provides a step-by-step guide to the 4-CAPS+ Leadership Framework, developed by Faculty Director Deborah Ancona and her colleagues at MIT. The framework provides key insights into the skills required for effective leadership.

Learn more about the self-paced online experience.

Learn more about GetSmarter technical requirements.

The recommended weekly time commitment for core content is 4-5 hours, taking into account the busy lifestyles of working professionals, with an additional 2-3 hours recommended for non-compulsory weekly extension activities, should you have the time. Each module is released weekly, allowing a flexible but structured approach to learning. You’ll be supported as you engage in individual activities and group discussions, ensuring you feel confident to submit your best work at each weekly deadline.

Upon successful completion of your course, you will earn a certificate of completion from the MIT Sloan School of Management. This course may also count toward MIT Sloan Executive Certificate requirements.

In this course you will learn

The curriculum exposes you to the perspectives and expertise of a variety of knowledgeable and experienced leaders. You’ll use this information to develop your leadership capabilities further, and investigate how you can move your team or organization forward.

You’ll first discover your leadership signature and choose an organizational challenge or opportunity to address using the 4-CAPS+ Leadership Framework. Next, you’ll explore sensemaking, a process that helps leaders better understand and react to their environment. You’ll learn ways to create and communicate your vision, lead with integrity, and implement structures to mobilize individuals and address challenges. During the course, you’ll reflect on the potential of distributed leadership and X-teams for creating high-performing teams that are externally oriented and flexible.

This online program is designed for working professionals looking to improve their leadership capabilities within their organization. It is therefore beneficial to business leaders who want to expand their current leadership knowledge to enable them to facilitate innovation and adaptation, and drive high-performance teams. It is also useful to mid-level and senior managers who want to engage with other professionals and develop their ability to lead teams more effectively to meet business objectives. Aspiring leaders will develop the confidence needed to demonstrate that they have the skills to lead.

GetSmarter™, a brand of 2U, Inc., partners with the world's leading universities to select, design and deliver premium online short courses with a data-driven focus on learning gain.

Technology meets academic rigor in our people-mediated model which enables lifelong learners across the globe to obtain industry-relevant skills that are certified by the world’s most reputable academic institutions.