The London School of Economics and Political Science
Leadership in Action: From Self to Team to Impact
Explore leadership in the context of change and disruption, while developing the tools and techniques required to be an authentic, transformational leader.
Start date
25 February 2026
96%
Cohort-based learning
Group learning, expert guidance
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
English
Access resources from start date
6–8 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The revenue growth per dollar of spend on compensation and overhead achieved by leading organisations through effective talent utilisation and supportive systems, culture, and leadership.
McKinsey (Feb, 2023).
The variance in team engagement that is determined solely by the manager.
Gallup (Feb, 2024).
The eight-week Leadership and Change online certificate course from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is designed to equip business leaders with the tools and expertise to survive, grow, and thrive in times of transformation. Whether it’s caused by disruptive technology or shifting market conditions, or as the result of internal organisational initiatives, leadership transitions, or mergers and acquisitions, change is a business constant, and the ability to manage it is key to corporate resilience.
Explore and develop your own authentic leadership strengths, while gaining the expertise to create coaching plans that apply widely accepted principles and models for professional development. With a comprehensive understanding of ethics in business and decision-making, as well the importance of psychological safety and diversity, you’ll have access to the techniques and frameworks needed to use change as an opportunity for enhanced competitive advantage.
Is this course for you?
This course is designed to empower leaders and equip them with the tools to excel in times of external and internal change. Business leaders in both the private and public sectors will develop the skills and insights to anticipate, facilitate, and sustain change in their context. Entrepreneurs, managers of teams, heads of departments, and those aspiring to be in these positions, will learn how to plan and navigate for change as well as prove their readiness for promotion. HR professionals who are responsible for organisational development and change management will learn how to hire and train employees, while consultants will enhance their abilities to advise and support companies going through a transformation.
This Leadership and Change online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Course overview
Introduction
The eight-week Leadership and Change online certificate course from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is designed to equip business leaders with the tools and expertise to survive, grow, and thrive in times of transformation. Whether it’s caused by disruptive technology or shifting market conditions, or as the result of internal organisational initiatives, leadership transitions, or mergers and acquisitions, change is a business constant, and the ability to manage it is key to corporate resilience.
Explore and develop your own authentic leadership strengths, while gaining the expertise to create coaching plans that apply widely accepted principles and models for professional development. With a comprehensive understanding of ethics in business and decision-making, as well the importance of psychological safety and diversity, you’ll have access to the techniques and frameworks needed to use change as an opportunity for enhanced competitive advantage.
Is this course for you?
This course is designed to empower leaders and equip them with the tools to excel in times of external and internal change. Business leaders in both the private and public sectors will develop the skills and insights to anticipate, facilitate, and sustain change in their context. Entrepreneurs, managers of teams, heads of departments, and those aspiring to be in these positions, will learn how to plan and navigate for change as well as prove their readiness for promotion. HR professionals who are responsible for organisational development and change management will learn how to hire and train employees, while consultants will enhance their abilities to advise and support companies going through a transformation.
This Leadership and Change online certificate course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Get this course for your team
Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.
What will set you apart
An understanding of your authentic leadership strengths in order to effectively lead within the context of change and disruption.
Knowledge of psychological safety and pro-diversity, and each concept's relationship to effective team leadership, as well as the ability to apply elements of the transformational and transactional leadership model to your organisation.
The tools to drive change through collaboration, communication, and influence, and an enhanced understanding of organisational culture, along with a culture map that plots out values, behaviours, and practical steps.
The skills to address individual and organisational ethical dilemmas using decision-making frameworks that help draw the link between personal and corporate purpose.
A development plan for employees, created by using coaching and mentorship principles, as well as GROW (Goals, Reality, Options, Will) and solutions-focused models.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Authentic leadership
Module 2
Transformational leadership
Module 3
Contemporary themes in business ethics
Module 4
Leading change and effective influence
Module 5
Leading diverse teams
Module 6
A culture of collaboration
Module 7
Character and ethical decision-making
Module 8
Coaching and mentoring to develop others
Course convenors
Rebecca Newton
Senior Visiting Fellow, Department of Management, LSE
Emma Soane
Assistant Professor of Management, Department of Management, LSE
Alexander (Sandy) Pepper
Professor of Management Practice, Department of Management, LSE
About the certificate
Discover the art of navigating change and leading with impact, and earn an official certificate of competence from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
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