University of Michigan
Sustainability Leadership Development
University of Michigan

Sustainability Leadership Development

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

25 hours to complete
3 weeks at 8 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

25 hours to complete
3 weeks at 8 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Analyze the unique challenges and opportunities of sustainability leadership

  • Assess and critique traditional leadership theory through the lens of environmental problems

  • Reflect and build on your personal leadership strengths and weaknesses to identify opportunities for growth

  • Prepare yourself for professional and volunteer opportunities in sustainability

Details to know

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Recently updated!

December 2024

Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Green Skills for a Sustainable and Just Future Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 5 modules in this course

How does leadership for sustainability differ from traditional leadership? What do the unique attributes of solving environmental problems require in terms of professional skills? In Module 1, you build the foundations for the course by exploring sustainability as a leadership framework. You will hear from two inspiring leaders about the intersection of justice, outdoor education, and environmental leadership. You will begin to build your own personal sustainability leadership plan after listening to an engaging podcast from an Indigenous water advocate and assessing a complex case where conservation values run up against local preferences and needs.

What's included

5 videos12 readings1 assignment1 app item5 discussion prompts

Leaders must know themselves, have clearly articulated values and be able to build a common vision in order to be effective. Module 2 focuses internally, building the base for the next 3 modules by exploring ethics, long-term thinking and finding our way literally and figuratively. This module includes 3 compelling videos and an interview with a lifelong sustainability leader guided by a strong moral compass. The lessons you will learn focus on how vision and values form a basis for leadership decision-making.

What's included

3 videos4 readings1 assignment1 app item3 discussion prompts

This module focuses on your person-to-person relationships and how they impact your sustainability leadership outcomes. Specifically, you will explore power and the impact of situational leadership (e.g., leading from where you are). With an emphasis on how race, ethnicity, religion, and other factors influence power, you will hear from a community leader working in under-resourced areas of a U.S. city. The module includes lessons on active listening and the dangers of making assumptions. Through a TedX talk, case study, and several lectures/conversations, you will analyze and practice how relationships influence decisions, and how power and status can guide opportunities and actions. You will assess an environmental justice case and produce the first part of your personal sustainability leadership plan.

What's included

3 videos4 readings1 assignment1 app item3 discussion prompts

Leadership is typically exerted through groups of people acting as informal or formal organizations. In this module, you will explore how organizational culture can be a help or hindrance to sustainability progress, and how to utilize a change management framework to move organizations in a positive direction. By watching discussions with two experts in culture change and business/philanthropy, you will develop a change management for sustainability leadership framework.

What's included

4 videos8 readings1 assignment1 app item1 discussion prompt

This 5th and final module focuses on lifelong learning and building the practical sustainability competencies that allow for growth in the professional world. You will review the research on what is most needed in the field and hear from two sustainability leaders who have had very different career paths yet have trained many future leaders. You will finish creating your own sustainability leadership plan utilizing the podcast and final case study about building competencies for success.

What's included

4 videos6 readings2 assignments1 app item4 discussion prompts

Instructor

Mike Shriberg, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
1 Course46 learners

Offered by

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