After you enroll, begin with Module 1, "Introduction to the Entire Course," which takes about an hour. It has a short welcome video, readings on how to use the course, and a 20-minute Pre-Course Leadership Readiness Diagnostic. The diagnostic shows your current readiness across the leadership skills the course develops and builds a recommended learning path, and it keeps every module accessible. From there, work through Modules 2 to 5, then finish with Module 6's project, a leadership plan for a real group.

There is no single agreed definition, but Leadership For Dummies defines leadership as a process, not a title. It is made up of missions you accept, responsibilities you carry, skills you build, and a vision other people can see well enough to follow. Module 2 develops this by separating authority from leadership.

There is no standard three-word answer. Drawing on this course’s definition, leadership comes down to mission, responsibility, and vision. The course adds skills and a team to those three, and addresses each across Modules 2 to 5.

There is no single standard list of qualities. This course teaches leadership as a set of skills and practices you can build, and Module 3 is where you assess your own. You assess your core leadership skills, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and explore strategies for working around capability gaps.

There is no standard list of seven. Leadership For Dummies builds its core leadership skills in Module 3, where you learn the core skills of a leader, set and manage expectations, apply the axioms of leadership, manage as a leader, and lead when you hold no formal authority. You also rate your own skills in a self-assessment.

There is no standard list. This course describes a leader's work in terms of roles, missions, and responsibilities. Module 2 covers the roles a leader plays depending on the situation, the decision to take the lead, and the missions and responsibilities that follow.

There is no standard “7 C’s” framework, and sources define the phrase differently. Leadership For Dummies does not teach one. It works from the leader’s own mission instead: you define your leadership mission, build a vision, build a team around it, and lead through resistance. The final project, a leadership plan for a real group, brings these together.

It depends on your goal. Leadership For Dummies is a leadership course for people who have just been given a team, are leading without the title, or want to lead well outside work as much as inside it. It covers leadership in volunteering, everyday life, coaching, and community settings as well as at work. It is an intermediate-level course, with experience recommended, and it awards a shareable Coursera certificate.

To access course materials, assignments, and earn a Certificate, you'll need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. Eligible learners may also have the option to start with a Free Trial. Some courses may also offer a Full Course, No Certificate option. This lets you access course materials, submit required assessments, and receive a final grade, but you won't be able to earn or purchase a Certificate.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.