Course Overview for the Fundamentals of Leadership Certificate, Northwestern University School of Professional Studies - Northwestern School of Professional Studies

Program Courses

PDP courses are offered online, remotely, and on-campus. Please refer to the Schedule Notes for course delivery information.

IMPORTANT: The registration process for all professional development courses requires you to (A) register for your course, (B) complete an acknowledgment of Northwestern University's Student Expectations and COVID-19 Code of Conduct in CAESAR, AND (C) update your emergency contact information . Current students with an active NetID must complete their student acknowledgment in CAESAR before registering for courses. New students must complete their student acknowledgment in CAESAR within 48 hours of enrollment before official registration can be finalized.
Please contact pdp@northwestern.edu for assistance.

LEAD_ART 202-0 : Leaders as Change Agents

Description

Leaders at all levels are often asked to support organizational changes, many of which fail. Have you been asked to explain the “why” of the change, identify and influence stakeholders as the champion for the change, or envision the change plan from idea to execution? You may be leading a small or large change, a change that is within your team or organization-wide, and it may span a few weeks or many years. While each change looks different, there are several models and approaches which will support you as change agent.

Leaders as Change Agents will teach you how to approach leading changes within your organization. We will explore models for change which set the stage for success and can serve as a checklist for you to consider as you move from the idea to implementing the change. You will also create your own “change profile” with your strengths and watch-out areas to help assess your change fluency.

Learning objectives

By the end of this four-week course, you will be able to:

• Utilize multiple change models to design organizational change with increased success
• Analyze the organizational environment and variables to determine the barriers and strategies for effective changes
• Identify your strengths and opportunity areas as a change agent in your organization
• Practice and discuss change approaches through case studies
• Describe key elements of change management, including vision, stakeholders, resistance, and key questions to ask

Registered students can access their online course site here. An activated NetID and password is required for login. *Please note: It may take up to 24-hours for registered students to be added to the online course platform.

Additional Information:

This course is offered in the Spring and Fall quarters and is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.