• University of Leeds
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Leadership and Change Management for Sustainability Success

Transform your leadership skills in change management with a focus on sustainability. Lead business success with impactful change.

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Leadership and Change Management for Sustainability Success

  • 3 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Lead sustainable change in your organisation with proven leadership strategies

The Leadership and Change Management for Sustainability Success course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to drive change and implement sustainability initiatives within your organisation and beyond.

Understanding leadership for sustainability

You’ll begin by exploring the core principles of leadership in the context of sustainability. Discover how effective leadership can help you navigate and address global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and social responsibility.

As you progress, you’ll develop the skills necessary to lead sustainability initiatives that align with environmental, economic, and social goals.

Mastering change management in sustainability

Next, you’ll dive into managing change within sustainability frameworks. This section will give you valuable insights into how you can effectively implement sustainable practices within your organisation.

You’ll learn from real-world examples and gain practical tools to drive positive change by integrating sustainability into your business operations.

Practical leadership skills for sustainable change

In this course, you’ll fine-tune your leadership skills and learn how to apply change management techniques specifically to sustainability projects.

Through case studies and interactive activities, you’ll explore how to lead successful sustainability transformations using models and strategies that create a long-term, positive impact.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the leadership skills to take on key roles in sustainability, guiding your organisation to embrace sustainable practices that not only improve business outcomes but also contribute to a greener, more resilient future.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 0 seconds The world is at a tipping point, facing urgent challenges like biodiversity loss, climate change and the scarcity of clean water and sanitation. Now, more than ever, businesses and leaders must drive the transition to a sustainable future. At the University of Leeds, academics from the Business School and the School of Earth and Environment have collaborated to create an innovative online course designed to equip you with the tools you need to make a real difference. The course also offers an insight into our Sustainable Business Leadership degree program, and are your first steps towards tackling real world sustainability challenges.

Skip to 0 minutes and 39 seconds In this online course, you’ll gain critical insights into the sustainability challenges facing society and the vital role businesses can play in addressing these issues. You’ll explore different levels of sustainability related practices and examine contemporary case studies that showcase effective approaches organisations can take to enhance their sustainability credentials. Join us on this online journey and take the first steps towards making a lasting impact on the future. Sign up today and be part of the change.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Leadership in context

    • Welcome

      Welcome

      Welcome to Leadership and Change Management for Sustainability Success, a three-week course from the University of Leeds.

    • Activity One

      Defining leadership

      In this section, you will discuss and reflect on your personal experience and perspective of good and bad leadership. You will define leadership and leadership effectiveness in the context of sustainable business.

    • Activity Two

      Acquiring new power for change

      We will now focus on another issue closely related to leadership: power. In this activity, you will explore different sources and types of power, and you will then analyse how to acquire and use them to influence others.

    • Activity Three

      Leadership today

      Leadership is an evolving discipline; ideas about what it takes to be a great leader change over time. In this section, you will consider what kind of leaders we need in today's world.

    • Activity Four

      Leadership for sustainability

      In this section, you will explore leadership in the context of sustainable business. You will examine and compare the academic perspective and a practitioner's perspective on sustainability leadership.

    • Summary

      Summary

      In this final section, you will summarise your learning and look ahead to Week 2.

  • Week 2

    Change process models for sustainability

    • About Week Two

      About Week 2

      This week, you will explore change process models and analyse the role of leadership in change. We will also consider how to plan and implement a sustainability change initiative.

    • Activity One

      Change management

      In this section, you will explore different types of change and change processes. Then you will examine a model which can be used to develop change plans.

    • Activity Two

      Leadership, change management and sustainability

      In this section, you will examine the three-stage model of corporate sustainability change and explore a case study on sustainability change management.

    • Activity Three

      Leading people to change through effective communication

      In this section, you will discover communication strategies for change management and analyse Quirke's communication escalator model.

    • Activity Four

      Leading people to change through organisational commitment

      In this section, you will consider the importance of organisational commitment in corporate sustainability. You will explore a case study and reflect on your own experiences of corporate sustainability.

    • Summary

      Summary

      In this final section, you will summarise your learning and look ahead to Week 3.

  • Week 3

    Values-based leadership for sustainability

    • About Week Three

      About Week 3

      This week, you will explore how organisations navigate sustainability challenges on a global scale. We will address this question by examining value-based leadership.

    • Activity One

      Values-based transformational leadership

      In this section, you will learn about the values-centred model of transformational leadership and explore different leadership styles.

    • Activity Two

      Global leadership for sustainability

      In this section, you will learn about how leaders deal with complex value systems in the global context. Then you will have the opportunity to investigate a national context of your choice.

    • Activity Three

      Case study: Patagonia

      In this section, you will explore a case study in responsible leadership in practice.

    • Activity Four

      Sustainability leadership development plan

      In this section, you will design a sustainability leadership development plan for yourself.

    • Summary

      Summary

      In this final section, you will summarise your learning and consider where your learning might take you next.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify and explore leadership capabilities that are essential to successful sustainability initiatives.
  • Apply relevant change models to design a sustainability change in a global context.
  • Reflect on your potential to influence change amidst social and sustainability related challenges and develop a strategic plan to enhance change leadership skills.

Who is the course for?

This course is an ideal taster for anyone curious about developing their leadership abilities in sustainability and change management. It offers an engaging introduction to the practical skills needed to guide your organisation through sustainability transformation, and is the perfect starting point for those considering the University of Leeds’ Online Masters in Sustainable Business Leadership.

Who will you learn with?

Qin Zhou

Associate Professor of management at Leeds University Business School. Her research focuses on creativity, leadership, wellbeing, and human resource management systems. https://business.leeds.ac.uk/fa

Dr Jonathan Muir

Jonathan is currently the Programme Leader for the University’s online MSc in Sustainable Business Leadership. He is also the Director for Online Programmes at Leeds University Business School.

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 26 Feb 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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