Unlock valuable leadership insights and learn how to apply them.
Leadership can be demonstrated at all levels in organisations. Discovering how to become a more effective leader and what leadership means to you is an enlightening experience. Evaluating the established theories and concepts of leadership, and their application in organisations, can help you understand how to bring more impact to your own leadership behaviours.
The Leadership online course examines the role of leaders and leadership, how and why different leadership approaches have evolved, and the factors that influence leadership success. You will consider how the theories and concepts discussed apply to your own organisational challenges, and how different leadership approaches can be utilised in different organisational and cultural contexts.
Programme information
- DurationApproximately 20-24 hours of study, plus reflection activities
- LocationOnline
- Cost£950
Module dates
Modules 1 and 2
Immediate online access to self-paced learning.
Module 3
Next live online sessions: 26 February and 5 March 2025 (9:00 - 14:00)
Please note: both Module 3 dates must be attended. Bookings will automatically be enrolled on the next available live online session. The option to change to a later date is available after booking is completed.
Concessions available
Cranfield alumni can claim a 20% discount via .
Who is this for?
All those who have an interest in leadership theory, practice and behaviours.
Programme impacts
- Develop and expand your leadership capabilities with greater insight and awareness.
- Reflect on your leadership journey and assess your own leadership qualities, styles, networks, and practices.
- Establish a comprehensive knowledge of the theories, paradigms and concepts of leadership, and their application in organisations.
- Understand to what extent leadership is dependent on the specific situation or context.
- Recognise the tensions and trade-offs involved in leadership work, and how leadership approaches differ dependent on organisations challenges.
- Evaluate the importance of ethical leadership and how leaders manage change.
- Identify and examine the leadership practices required for complex organisations.
Programme structure
This course includes 3 modules:
- Modules 1 and 2 are online and self-paced, so you choose where and when you learn.
- Module 3 is live online with peers and Cranfield faculty to embed your knowledge and learnings.
What you'll learn
Module one – Leadership theories and application
Online self-paced learning (estimated four hours – plus reflection activities)
Explore different ways in which leadership can be understood and how these different perspectives apply to your leadership approach.
- Explore the development of leadership thinking over time, and how leadership theories and models are shaped by culture, sector and global challenges.
- Understand the concepts of leadership and their application in organisations.
- Compare different traditional and contemporary leadership paradigms and their relevance for current organisational challenges.
- Consider your own leadership and begin a personalised learning framework.
Module two – Leadership in context
Online self-paced learning (estimated six hours – plus reflection activities)
Challenge your understanding of the role of leadership in the context of organisational culture, develop an appreciation of politics in leadership, and consider your own leadership identity and development needs.
- Examine the leadership capability required in differing organisational, cultural and international contexts.
- Contrast the different leadership practices required for technical and adaptive problems, and appraise their relevance for contemporary organisational challenges.
- Evaluate how to enact leadership practices in complex contexts.
- Map your leadership network, and analyse the importance of power relationships, emotions, and political dynamics.
- Critically appraise your current leadership ability and what your next stage of development looks like.
Module three – Leadership in action
Live online (two half days, five hours each – plus reflection activities)
To embed and enhance your learning from the two online modules, you’ll join peers and our expert faculty in a live online environment to advance your understanding of leadership.
- Understand the key challenges, tensions and trade-offs involved in leadership work.
- Analyse the role of leaders in ethical decision making and change management.
- Explore different approaches to creating a context and culture that supports creativity, experimentation, innovation and adaptation.
- Recognise the importance of leadership to collective learning, collaboration, cooperation and collective action within and across siloes and organisational boundaries.
- Discover the factors and conditions that influence direction, strategic alignment and commitment in organisations.
- Evaluate what leadership capabilities you might develop to accelerate your next career move.
Digital Badges and Certificate
On completion of each module, you will be issued with a digital badge that can be displayed on your professional profiles, serving as compelling evidence of your expertise and commitment to staying at the forefront of business and management knowledge.
On successful submission of the final assignment you will receive a certificate of achievement.
Programme Director
Programme Contributors
How to apply
Next steps
Our team of executive development experts will be happy to talk to you about your development needs, please email us or call +44 (0)1234 754500.
