Free Leadership and Followership Course by The Open University on OpenLearn
Organization: The Open University
Program: Leadership and followership
Category: Free course
Location: Online
Duration: 8 weeks
Study Time: Approximately 3 hours a week
Leadership and followership is a free course available on OpenLearn from The Open University. The course is designed for people who want to explore leadership from the perspective of both the leader and the follower. The official page explains that learners will examine what makes a good leader, recognise common leadership challenges, and identify the skills they may need to develop to strengthen their own leadership experience.
Course Focus
According to the course description, learners begin by considering their own leadership experience and learning about different leadership styles. As the course progresses, it explores key leadership skills, good and bad leadership, possible solutions to leadership problems, and the connection between leadership and followership. The page also states that learners will look at common leadership challenges, the future of leadership in a changing world, and create a plan to develop their own leadership skills and experience.
Course Format
The source states that this is a free badged course lasting 8 weeks, with approximately 3 hours of study each week. It also notes that learners can work through the course at their own pace.
What Learners Receive
The official page states that the course offers a free statement of participation on completion. It also explains that enrolling on the course gives learners the opportunity to earn an Open University digital badge. The badge can be displayed, shared, and downloaded, and it is awarded for completing the course and passing the quizzes. The statement of participation can also be downloaded and printed once available.
CPD Information
The course page states that this course is accredited by the CPD Standards Office. It says the course can be used as evidence of continuing professional development and that successful completion leads to 24 CPD points. The source also notes that evidence of CPD achievement is provided on the free statement of participation awarded on completion.
Learning Outcomes
After studying the course, learners should be able to describe a variety of leadership styles and approaches and analyse how they fit with personal preferences, recognise the skills required for leadership and assess personal experience and capability, define followership from the perspectives of both the leader and the follower, identify how effective leadership can overcome common challenges, and reflect on personal experience while devising an action plan to develop leadership skills.
Course Structure
The page shows that the course is divided across eight weeks. These include: Week 1, Where are you starting from; Week 2, What kind of leader could you be; Week 3, What makes a good leader; Week 4, When leadership goes wrong; and Week 5, Why is followership important.
Access Note
The source states that the course can be started immediately without signing up. It also explains that learners who want to track progress, earn a free statement of participation, and access all course quizzes and activities need to sign up.
Publication Details
The course page lists the first published date as 02 January 2024 and the updated date as 02 January 2024.
