Responsible Leadership

We are now closed for applications. Our next start date for this course is TBC. Please enquire for more information and to register your interest.

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Responsible leadership is a human imperative. Anyone who currently leads or manages organisations, people or movements knows that there are many complex, interconnected challenges that demand investment, collaboration, action and change on a global scale.

These challenges affect the survival of organisations, the wellbeing of their workforces, wider society and the natural world. We need a model of leadership that embraces the interrelated nature of these challenges, envisions systemic solutions and puts these into action.

This short course will examine the changing mission and purpose of organisations, and explore how we, as leaders, can unlock sustainable and responsible progress. Together we will critically analyse the nature of contemporary leadership, allowing you to build a personal approach to leadership that can help you shape a more sustainable and equitable future.

This course is suited to:

Responsible Leadership is aimed at current and future leaders of our time, and employees from different roles and sectors who want to expand their knowledge in leadership, might want a career change or use as a precursor to further higher education. It will provide students the opportunity to develop their own leadership style and adopt new relational and behavioural skills to help prepare them for a leadership role. 

What will I learn?

Responsible Leadership draws together debates on corporate responsibility, ethical decision making, sustainable business and the value created by our organisations. This course considers the impact of businesses and the role of leaders, particularly questioning a shared responsibility to stakeholders outside of the organisation. It draws upon practical and accessible ways that leaders can enable a future where growth and profitability create more equitable prosperity.

Students will expand their knowledge and skillset to be able to manage the complexity of the modern workplace more confidently.

Learning outcomes

• Critically discuss the origins of responsible leadership
• Apply the principles of responsible leadership to current management and leadership challenges faced by organisations globally
• Assess your leadership experiences and style through reflective practice
• Be able to critique academic arguments on the key themes influencing responsible leaders
• Critically appraise the impact of responsible practices in organisations
• Evaluate the organisational responsibility in responding to the social and economic problems
• Synthesise academic evidence in order to present balanced arguments and make measured recommendations
• Design and undertake an independent research task
• Present written work to a high standard, adhering to conventions for academic writing and referencing
• Develop balanced arguments drawing on a diverse range of evidence.

How is the module assessed?

For this course, you should expect to engage in structured learning activities for 10-15 hours per week on average, plus additional time spent on self-directed learning (such as further reading or preparing for assessments).

The course can be completed in a maximum of 17 weeks. Typically, there are 10 weeks of taught content, and the final submission is in week 11. The rest of the time is made up for marking and feedback. 

Module staff

Entry Requirements

While there are no specific academic entry requirements, this course is delivered at Masters level so you’d usually have at least 2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) OR relevant work experience related to the area of study.

Should you not have the relevant background described the University of Exeter cannot be held responsible for any failure to attain an award from this course.

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.

The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.