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, Organizational Change, Stakeholder Management, Organizational Structure, Corporate Strategy, Governance, Conflict Management, Organizational Strategy, Trustworthiness, Team Building, Strategic Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Business Management, Organizational Effectiveness, Business Ethics, Team Management, Team Motivation, Leadership Development, 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: Decision Making, Creativity, Talent Management, Communication, Innovation, Strategic Decision-Making, Personal Development, Curiosity, People Development, Professional Networking, Collaboration, Leadership Development, Productivity, Organizational Effectiveness, Leadership and Management, Self-Awareness, Strategic Leadership, Business Leadership, Leadership, Emotional Intelligence
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
618 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Yale University
Connected Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Systems Thinking, Strategic Leadership, Leadership, Team Leadership, Team Building, Professional Development, Team Management, Leadership and Management, Action Oriented, Visionary, Time Management, Prioritization, Complex Problem Solving, Emotional Intelligence, Personal Development, Self-Awareness, Goal Setting, Communication
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
714 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
Results-Driven Leadership for High-Performing Teams
Skills you'll gain: Team Motivation, Accountability, Organizational Leadership, Drive Engagement, Team Leadership, Dealing With Ambiguity, Leadership, Leadership and Management, Team Performance Management, Leadership Development, Strategic Leadership, Team Management, Business Leadership, Organizational Effectiveness, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Stress Management, Professional Development, Innovation, Self-Awareness
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Google
Google AI Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Large Language Modeling, Process Optimization, Productivity Software, Workforce Development, Digital Transformation, Innovation, Technical Writing, Emerging Technologies, Operational Efficiency, Business Solutions, Machine Learning Software, Data Security, Critical Thinking, Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Quality
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
Strategic Leadership: Visionary Skills for Success
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Leadership, Change Management, Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Visionary, Decision Making, Communication, Culture Transformation, Organizational Strategy, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Management, Negotiation, Empathy, Collaboration, Accountability
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Agile Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Change Management, Organizational Change, Agile Methodology, Meeting Facilitation, Positivity, Team Building, Resilience, Scrum (Software Development), Team Management, Sprint Retrospectives, Innovation, Sprint Planning, Culture Transformation, Organizational Development, Agile Project Management, Virtual Teams, Team Leadership, Business Transformation, Leadership Development, Project Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Northwestern University
Organizational Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Influencing, Persuasive Communication, Design Thinking, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Leadership, Strategic Communication, Innovation, Collaboration, Crisis Management, Negotiation, Organizational Leadership, Ideation, Team Leadership, Resource Allocation, Human Centered Design, Teamwork, Motivational Skills, Corporate Communications, Marketing Strategies, Marketing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5.2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
Agentic AI and AI Agents for Leaders
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI Agents, Generative AI, Workflow Management, Agentic systems, Productivity, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), AI Personalization, Business Process Automation, Personalized Service, Large Language Modeling, Automation, Business Transformation, Expense Management, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Technology Strategies, Productivity Software
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.8K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Instructor Network
Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Management, Empathy, Leadership Development, Personal Development, Leadership, Self-Awareness, Professional Development, Adaptability, Relationship Building, Team Management, Self-Discipline, Communication, Active Listening, Stress Management, Decision Making, Mindfulness
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
123 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Copenhagen Business School
Strategic Management
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Thinking, Business Strategy, Business Strategies, Strategic Decision-Making, Strategic Planning, Strategic Leadership, Business Transformation, Technology Strategies, Competitive Analysis, Global Marketing, Market Share
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.5K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
IIMA - IIM Ahmedabad
Leadership Skills
Skills you'll gain: Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Team Leadership, Change Management, Leadership and Management, Business Leadership, Business Ethics, Self-Awareness, Culture Transformation, Personal Development, Decision Making, Emotional Intelligence, Influencing, Empowerment, Communication, Relationship Building, Mindfulness
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months