This course utilizes a theoretical framework to provide a foundation of understanding of effective leadership in organizations. The opportunity for self-assessment of leadership strengths and management styles, as well as reflection and action planning for individual leadership development, is also provided. To enhance self-assessment, there are questionnaires, as well as classroom exercises, experienced in a supportive group environment. Examples of effective organizational leadership are also critically examined in case studies. Current leadership topics to be covered include values and vision, strategy, organizational culture, management style, leading groups and teams, and coaching, thus providing analysis from both the macro and micro organizational levels. Offered twice a year.

This course is targeted towards external and internal consultants, as well as managers and other change agents within organizations. Change Management fosters improved competency in the skills necessary during all phases of the change process - from diagnosis, to interventions, through evaluation. Organizational change issues are critically examined, and case studies, exercises, and assessments are utilized, to better understand change from organizational, group, and individual levels. Change models serve as frameworks that emphasize the importance of interactive consultative processes. A major organizational change project is required of all students. Offered twice a year.

A framework of leadership and coaching is utilized to critically examine the effectiveness of several sports' coaches and their leadership/coaching styles, as they motivate players to achieve their maximum level of performance. Lessons from leading sports' coaches are then applied to the workplace, where managers motivate employees to perform to their potential. The course also highlights the importance of unique situations in both the sports and workplace arenas. Major topics to be covered include roles of coaches and players, skills of coaching, coaching teams, and "flow" in sports and organizations.

The innovative Management Department Streets of Chicago course, "Leadership & Ethics," consists of ten on-site meetings with current senior leaders in the Chicago community (followed by in-class discussion sessions). These meetings allow students the exciting and rare opportunity to engage in personalized, in-depth conversations with leaders in government, CEOs and senior executives from for-profit corporations, and directors of nonprofit organizations. The meetings take place at the leader's place of business and will allow for an informal discussion with individuals otherwise known to students only through the media and at a distance. The purpose of these conversations is to gain knowledge about the role of leaders in today's corporate and non-profit environments, the impact of ethics in leadership decision-making and the responsibilities and burdens carried by these individuals. Students learn first-hand from the experiences of these extraordinary success stories so that they can glean the critical elements necessary for successful and ethical leadership. In-class sessions subsequent to each leadership meeting will involve briefings on key issues facing the leaders involved, analysis of risk assessment and management, and critical review of leadership decision-making in order to most effectively explore the actual process of leadership and the development of leadership capability and qualities. As such, the course is designed to serve both those students who are interested in leading their own entrepreneurial ventures, as well as those who seek leadership roles in larger corporations or other organizations.

Comprehensive study and skill building exercises devoted to the development of skills necessary for managers to resolve and manage conflict within their organizations. For illustrative purposes, discussions and exercises will be in the context of employment disputes, discrimination disputes, and/or labor-management disputes. However, the skills attained in the course may be successfully used to resolve any type of conflict. Included will be a discussion of various dispute resolution methodologies including the mediation, arbitration, and investigation of asserted conflicts, real or perceived, as well as the design of dispute resolution processes and related issues of organizational fairness, justice, and ethics. Offered once a year.

This course explores the nature and role of creativity in organizations. Theories and modes of creative thinking, and the link between creativity and innovation are presented. The course format is largely experiential, with emphasis on group and individual exercises, techniques, simulations and cases, through which students will investigate the creative process in a variety of organizational settings. The role of managers and team members in nurturing and sustaining a creative enterprise is discussed. The course is designed to open students to the creativity within themselves and organizations, and to the tools with which creativity can be managed to promote innovation and enhance organizational effectiveness as well as satisfaction and quality of work life. Offered four times a year.

Developing executive coaching competencies for "managers as coach"is the keynote of this course. Grounded in positive psychology and the science of human flourishing, participants will identify and apply strengths based interventions to promote organizational effectiveness, career success and life fulfillment. Students will learn and deploy the GROW model of coaching, motivational interviewing, solution focused coaching, mindfulness, and goal focused approaches to help people achieve change. Participants will also enhance their own ability to create presence, build trust, manage self awareness, listen, ask powerful questions, design actions and manage accountability. Working from a place of purpose and intention course participants will harness competitive advantage, explore finding flow, managing stress, maintaining optimism, and creating balance in work, health and family.

The ability to manage technological innovation has become an increasingly essential requirement for business people regardless of functional specialty. The objective of this course is to explore ways to create environments that are conducive to technological innovation. Throughout the course students examine practices, models, and approaches that established, as well as new, organizations employ to promote innovative practice, technological change, and new technologies. The following topics will be covered: the innovation process, managing technical people, the impact of organizational design on innovation, knowledge management, cross function teams and exploiting new technologies. Students will research new technologies and discuss potential business applications and issues associated with those technologies. Offered once a year.

This course covers management techniques that are applicable to a wide variety of project types including new product development, business start-ups, marketing campaigns, facility relocations, construction, research programs, and special events. Emphasis is on scheduling, budgeting, and control including the selection and application of project management software. Other topics include project organization, qualifications and roles of the project manager, project leadership, team building, and the management of conflict and stress in projects. Offered three times a year.

Content and format of this course are variable. An in-depth study of current issues in management.