We don’t often talk about mistakes and failures, but there’s so much to learn from what goes wrong. In this course, Professor Sydney Finkelstein will teach you why leaders make mistakes, and what you can do to avoid making those same mistakes yourself. Using real-life examples of smart executives who failed, Professor Finkelstein will walk you through scenarios that prepare you to understand, manage, and even take advantage of the continuous change that is inevitable in organizations and in life.
Why Smart Executives Fail: Common Mistakes & Warning Signs
Why Smart Executives Fail: Common Mistakes & Warning Signs
This course is part of Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making Specialization
Instructor: Sydney Finkelstein
19,096 already enrolled
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.9
(344 reviews)
Beginner level
Recommended experience
Flexible schedule
Approx. 16 hours
Learn at your own pace
99%
Most learners liked this course
What you'll learn
Which mistakes leaders make most often
How to spot the early warning signs of key mistakes
How to avoid making these same mistakes in your own life
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
20 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is part of the Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 4 modules in this course
What's included
11 videos4 readings5 assignments
What's included
6 videos3 readings5 assignments
What's included
7 videos4 readings3 assignments
What's included
9 videos1 reading7 assignments
Instructor
Instructor ratings
4.9 (130 ratings)Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Leadership and Management
University of Colorado Boulder
Northeastern University
University of Pennsylvania
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
4.9
344 reviews
- 5 stars
89.62%
- 4 stars
8.35%
- 3 stars
1.15%
- 2 stars
0.28%
- 1 star
0.57%
Showing 3 of 344
GL
5
Reviewed on Nov 21, 2023
So helpful and practical! Eye opening cases to reveal common pitfalls we are all prone to make. Excellent videos presentations and case studeies.
LM
5
Reviewed on Jul 5, 2024
The content is interesting and easy to learn. The course supports self evaluation. I learned more about myself and my own leadership style and the critical areas where I can strive to be better.
CH
5
Reviewed on Feb 9, 2024
Excellent course. Learning lessons from others' mistakes is an interesting method but really makes sense when you go through this first section of the entire course.
New to Leadership and Management? Start here.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.