What is strategic leadership?

Strategic leadership is a type of management where an organizational leader develops a vision for the company's success and then uses their personality and leadership style to get others within the organization on board with the vision. This type of top-down leadership strategy uses tactics, such as group decision-making, conflict resolution, and performance management to introduce change management practices into the organizational structure. Managers using strategic management to enact change may also work with others on goal setting that's focused on the desired results and each individual's skills.

What beneficial outcomes can I expect if I learn strategic leadership?

Beneficial outcomes you can expect if you study strategic leadership include increasing your value as an employee, updating your management skills, and getting hands-on practice at combining management techniques with leadership training. If you aren't working in management yet, studying strategic management can help you learn how to be more effective as a manager from the first day on the job. If you're already working in management, adding strategic management skills to your resume can help you move up to a higher level in management by increasing your efficiency and effectiveness as a leader.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn strategic leadership?

Online courses on Coursera can help you learn strategic leadership by putting an abundance of information at your disposal so you can study at your own pace. You'll have the opportunity to apply the information in a hands-on manner and in writing by creating case studies. You'll be able to apply your knowledge to businesses in multiple industries, so when you're ready to use the skills at your job, or with a new employer, you're ready to go.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn strategic leadership?

Solid reading and writing skills are the ones you need the most if you begin learning strategic leadership as a beginner. If you choose courses labeled for intermediate or advanced students, you need to have some knowledge of business management and leadership. Some other skills that could give you a jump start in your studies include analytical skills, critical thinking, and knowledge of accounting and negotiating.

What are the benefits of taking an online Strategic Leadership course?

Online Strategic Leadership courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Strategic Leadership skills. Choose from a wide range of Strategic Leadership courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Strategic Leadership courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Strategic Leadership, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Strategic Leadership Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Strategic Leadership Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Strategic Leadership and Management
Skills you'll gain: Business Strategy, Conflict Management, Corporate Strategy, Trustworthiness, Organizational Structure, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Leadership, Governance, Leadership Development, Business Modeling, Stakeholder Management, Team Building, Team Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Innovation, Organizational Leadership, Leadership and Management, Business Leadership, Leadership, Negotiation
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
10K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Dartmouth College
Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making
Skills you'll gain: Leadership Development, Personal Development, People Development, Decision Making, Talent Management, Time Management, Communication, Creativity, Leadership, Leadership and Management, Team Management, People Management, Innovation, Constructive Feedback, Strategic Decision-Making, Collaboration, Strategic Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Business Leadership, Behavioral Economics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
622 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
Yale University
Connected Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Systems Thinking, Time Management, Team Building, Action Oriented, Team Leadership, Team Management, Strategic Leadership, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Leadership, Visionary, Leadership and Management, Personal Development, Planning, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Awareness, Goal Setting, Communication
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
726 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Northwestern University
Organizational Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Influencing, Persuasive Communication, Negotiation, Design Thinking, Leadership, Leadership Development, Crisis Management, Human Centered Design, Innovation, Strategic Communication, Organizational Leadership, Ideation, Professional Development, Storytelling, Marketing Analytics, Leadership and Management, Brainstorming, Teamwork, Marketing Strategies, Marketing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5.2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Preview
Coursera Instructor Network
Strategic Leadership: Visionary Skills for Success
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Leadership, Business Leadership, Organizational Change, Employee Engagement, Leadership Development, Emotional Intelligence, Change Management, Communication Strategies, Communication, Visionary, Organizational Strategy, Empathy, Negotiation, Collaboration, Conflict Management, Culture
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Copenhagen Business School
Strategic Management
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Thinking, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Planning, Business Planning, Strategic Decision-Making, Technology Strategies, Global Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Competitive Analysis, Market Dynamics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.5K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Development, Team Management, Adaptability, Empathy, Leadership, Professional Development, Resilience, Self-Awareness, Conflict Management, Personal Development, Interpersonal Communications, Communication, Stress Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
128 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Agile Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Change Management, Organizational Change, Meeting Facilitation, Scaled Agile Framework, Agile Methodology, Innovation, Positivity, Leadership and Management, Organizational Leadership, Leadership Development, Business Transformation, Team Leadership, Scrum (Software Development), Personal Development, Agile Project Management, Resilience, Team Building, Product Roadmaps, Open Mindset, Project Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Preview
Coursera Instructor Network
Results-Driven Leadership for High-Performing Teams
Skills you'll gain: Accountability, Team Leadership, Leadership, Motivational Skills, Business Leadership, Employee Engagement, Performance Management, Team Building, Organizational Effectiveness, Professional Development, Emotional Intelligence, Safety Culture, Self-Awareness, Communication Strategies
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Product Manager
Skills you'll gain: Product Management, New Product Development, Agile Software Development, Product Lifecycle Management, Agile Methodology, Agile Project Management, Product Strategy, Financial Analysis, Product Roadmaps, Product Development, Product Planning, Sprint Planning, Usability Testing, Project Management Life Cycle, Innovation, User Story, Market Analysis, Stakeholder Management, Business Planning, Leadership
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.8K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
Agentic AI and AI Agents for Leaders
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI, Agentic systems, Generative AI Agents, OpenAI, Data Ethics, Organizational Leadership, AI Personalization, Business Process Automation, Technical Management, Leadership and Management, Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, Program Implementation, Business Transformation, Digital Transformation, Project Implementation, Application Development
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
7.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
IIMA - IIM Ahmedabad
Leadership Skills
Skills you'll gain: Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Change Management, Organizational Change, Team Leadership, Leadership and Management, Business Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Culture Transformation, Business Ethics, Personal Development, Self-Awareness, Influencing, Empowerment, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Decision Making, Relationship Building, Communication, Mindfulness
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months