OL 601. The Leadership Mindset.3 Credits.
Leadership is more than titles or authority, it's about how people influence, make decisions, and drive meaningful change in organizations. This course explores what makes leadership effective (and what causes it to fail) by examining the psychology, economics, and social dynamics that shape behavior in organizations. We tackle big questions: Why do people follow some leaders and not others? How does power really work? What builds trust - and what undermines it? In this process, we confront the messy, often irrational, yet always human side of organizational life.
Prerequisites: Can only take 1 from list: OL 601, PMBA 622 or MBA 625.
Offered: Every year, All
OL 607. Insights Into Emotions and Emotional Intelligence.3 Credits.
Emotions shape every facet of our lives, influencing our decisions, relationships, and outcomes, often in ways we barely recognize. They determine the price we are willing to pay for a new car, guide the investments we select for our retirement portfolios, and even sway the choice between sinfully cheesy pizza and a salad at a work lunch. In this course, we examine how insights from psychology, behavioral economics, and decision science uncover the hidden role of emotions in organizations and daily life. Most critically, you'll learn how to harness both your own emotions and those of others to make smarter decisions, lead more effectively, and build stronger, more resilient relationships.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer
OL 610. Strategic Communication: Talk, Listen, and Lead.3 Credits.
Success in every aspect of business and organizational life depends on our ability to interact effectively with others. In this course, you will explore how to influence, persuade, and connect with others, learning when to talk and when to listen. Within this framework, we will examine complex leadership challenges at work â?" including navigating office politics and gossip, encouraging employees to speak up, delivering tough feedback and apologies, and building professional networks that matter.
Prerequisites: Take OL 601.
Offered: Every year, All
OL 615. Leading Across Borders: Inclusive Leadership for a Global World.3 Credits.
Lead diverse teams and drive innovation across cultural, generational, and geographic boundaries. This course equips you with the skills to foster collaboration, manage differences, and leverage global trends. Analyze real-world cases to develop strategies for thriving in multicultural and cross-functional environments.
Prerequisites: Take OL 601.
Offered: As needed, All
OL 620. Digital Leadership and AI Navigating Transformation & Emerging Technology.3 Credits.
Lead organizations through digital disruption and technological transformation. Explore AI, big data, blockchain, and the future of work. Design actionable digital strategies and innovation roadmaps, culminating in a capstone project that prepares you to champion change and seize new opportunities in the digital era.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, All
OL 630. Performance Management: HR Analytics and Talent Optimization.3 Credits.
Drive organizational excellence with data-driven performance management and HR technology. Learn to align individual and team strengths with strategic goals, implement continuous feedback systems, and leverage HRIS for measurable impact. Develop actionable insights to build high-performing, agile teams.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Spring
OL 640. Project Leadership Lab: Delivering Results in a Complex World.3 Credits.
Go beyond project management fundamentals to master the art of leading complex, high-stakes projects. Apply advanced methodologies, real-time simulations, and collaborative tools to deliver business outcomes. Develop critical thinking and stakeholder management skills to lead projects that drive organizational transformation.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed, All
OL 650. Leading Organizational Change.3 Credits.
Change isn't just about strategy or structure, it's about people. In this course, we will explore how leaders drive meaningful, lasting change amid uncertainty, resistance, and complexity. You will learn to lead change initiatives from start to finish, including how to build teams and navigate organizational politics, understand and manage resistance, and persuade and motivate followers. By the end of the course, you will be equipped with the confidence needed to drive successful, sustainable change in any organization.
Prerequisites: Take OL 601.
Offered: Every year, All
OL 662. Leading With Integrity: Business Ethics and Governance.3 Credits.
Ethical challenges are an inevitable part of organizational life. This course examines the evolving landscape of ethical leadership and responsible governance. We'll explore ethical decision-making, ethical leadership and culture, corporate ethics initiatives, and governance standards to understand how leaders navigate complex dilemmas, build stakeholder trust, and create sustainable value. By the end of the course, you'll be prepared to lead with integrity in a world that increasingly demands transparency, accountability, and principled action.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed, All
OL 681. Strategic Leadership: People, Culture, and Talent.3 Credits.
People are at the heart of every organization, and HR is how leaders unlock their potential. This course explores how leaders can leverage HR processes to develop talent, shape culture, and drive results. You'll learn to navigate complex people decisions and apply HR practices that enhance the performance of individuals, teams, and organizations. By the end of the course, you'll have the insights and frameworks needed to make strategic HR decisions that elevate performance and create lasting impact across organizations.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, All
OL 682. Workplace Law & Inclusion: Navigating Policy in Modern Organizations.3 Credits.
Gain practical expertise in employment law, diversity, and inclusion. Examine the latest policies, legal trends, and best practices to create fair, bias-free workplaces. Develop actionable strategies to ensure compliance and foster a culture of belonging.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Summer
OL 683. Talent Management: Attracting, Developing, and Retaining Top Performers.3 Credits.
Design and implement cutting-edge talent management systems. Learn strategic recruitment, onboarding, and retention techniques, and leverage HR analytics to drive employee engagement and growth. Build a high-impact talent pipeline for organizational success.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Fall
OL 684. Total Rewards: Compensation, Benefits & Employee Value.3 Credits.
Craft competitive compensation and benefits strategies to motivate and retain top talent. Explore the interplay between pay, performance, and satisfaction, and design incentive programs that align with organizational goals and employee aspirations.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed, All
OL 686. Public Sector Leadership: Driving Change in Government and Nonprofits.3 Credits.
Lead with purpose in public service. Tackle the unique challenges of government and nonprofit organizations, from policy-making to ethical leadership and stakeholder engagement. Build competencies in trust, influence, and navigating unionized and media-intensive environments.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: Every year, Fall
OL 687. Strategic Planning for Public Impact.3 Credits.
Master the art of mission-driven planning in public sector settings. Develop skills in strategic goal-setting, resource allocation, and adaptive planning. Analyze and design strategic plans that drive measurable impact in dynamic, resource-constrained environments.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed, All
OL 688. Leadership Innovation Lab: Special Topics.3 Credits.
Explore emerging trends and specialized topics in leadership and organizational development. Topics rotate to reflect the latest industry challenges, innovations, and opportunities, offering a customizable learning experience for forward-thinking leaders.
Prerequisites: None
Offered: As needed, All
OL 689. Capstone I: Executive Project Design and Leadership Consulting.3 Credits.
Initiate your leadership capstone journey by diagnosing organizational challenges and designing impactful consulting projects. Apply advanced project management, decision-making, and risk analysis techniques to real-world business issues, preparing for executive-level implementation.
Prerequisites: Take OL 601, OL 610, and OL 650.
Offered: Every year, Summer
OL 690. Capstone II: Leading Change-Consulting Implementation and Impact.3 Credits.
Bring your leadership learning full circle by executing a consulting project from analysis to implementation. Deliver actionable recommendations, manage change, and present your findings to organizational stakeholders. Graduate with a portfolio-ready consulting report and presentation.
Prerequisites: Take OL 689.
Offered: Every year, Summer