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
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, Time Management, Self-Awareness, Strategic Leadership, Business Leadership, Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Organizational Leadership
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
626 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
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, Management Training And Development, Business Management, Organizational Effectiveness, Business Ethics, Team Management, 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: New
Status: Free Trial
University of Glasgow
Strategic Business Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Leadership, Business Transformation, Digital Transformation, Business Leadership, Innovation, Market Research, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Leadership Development, Business Strategy, Leadership, Strategic Decision-Making, Organizational Strategy, Business Planning, Business Development, Leadership and Management, Competitive Analysis, Corporate Strategy, Organizational Leadership, Business Management, Organizational Change
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Skillshare
Leadership: Being a Confident and Effective Team Leader
Skills you'll gain: Team Building, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Constructive Feedback, Talent Management, Diversity Awareness, Professional Development, Employee Retention, Team Motivation, Leadership Development, Employee Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership, Workplace inclusivity, Diversity Programs, Recognizing Others, Team Leadership, Teamwork, Communication, Telecommuting, Leadership and Management
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
Yale University
Connected Leadership
Skills you'll gain: Systems Thinking, Strategic Leadership, Leadership, Team Leadership, Team Building, Team Management, Leadership and Management, Visionary, Time Management, Prioritization, Planning, Emotional Intelligence, Personal Development, Self-Awareness, Goal Setting, Communication
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
736 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Preview
Coursera Instructor Network
Strategic Leadership: Visionary Skills for Success
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Leadership, Business Leadership, Change Management, Organizational Change, Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Visionary, Decision Making, Communication, Executive Presence, Culture Transformation, Organizational Strategy, Emotional Intelligence, Trustworthiness, Workplace inclusivity, Drive Engagement, Conflict Management, Negotiation, Empathy
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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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
5.3K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Leading People and Teams
Skills you'll gain: Talent Management, Team Motivation, Team Building, Teamwork, Team Management, Talent Pipelining, Influencing, Team Leadership, People Development, Motivational Skills, Employee Onboarding, Employee Coaching, Conflict Management, Talent Recruitment, Performance Review, Employee Engagement, Interviewing Skills, Persuasive Communication, Leadership, Business Leadership
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
11K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of Glasgow
Defining Strategic Business Leadership - SBL 1
Skills you'll gain: Leadership Development, Organizational Change
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
Generative AI Strategic Leader
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI Agents, Prompt Patterns, Generative AI, Workflow Management, LLM Application, Productivity, OpenAI, Agentic systems, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Intelligence, Business Leadership, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Organizational Leadership, Automation, Strategic Planning, Talent Acquisition, Procurement, Planning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
7.6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
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, Case Studies, Market Dynamics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.5K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
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
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months