LEAD062 - Collaborative Leadership for Climate Action

Course Description

No one group or perspective has the solutions to our climate predicament. Networks of relationships are key to understanding and engaging with complex dynamics. Effective action will require compassion and collaboration, along with healing and dialogue across sectors, disciplines, cultures and systems to steer a more just and equitable transition. This course explores collective leadership models by challenging individualist leadership paradigms and experimenting with more inclusive approaches.

In this course, we’ll think critically about what collaboration means in the context of complex sustainability challenges like climate destabilization and steering transition to a positive climate future. Transition for who? By whom? Who’s included? Who’s excluded? Often centered around the perspectives and voices of a privileged few, how have conventional climate leadership approaches held us back? Collaborative leadership for transition, rather, prioritizes engagement with those who are most affected.

Drawing from a series of conversations with guest contributors, a range of case studies, readings and other resources, participants will explore models and frameworks for collective leadership while reflecting on and re-framing their role in leading collaborative efforts. This four-week intensive course will include a blend of asynchronous exercises, interactive synchronous sessions, and peer to peer learning opportunities. Students’ time commitment in the course includes assignments, readings, videos and participation in online discussion forums.

Learner Outcomes

• Critically explored the implications for a just transition to positive climate futures

• Engaged with powerful frameworks and approaches for collaborating with
  stakeholders and engaging communities to achieve meaningful impact

• Identified collective leadership capabilities needed for transitioning toward positive
  climate futures

• Questioned the roles of power, diversity and inclusion in leading collaborative climate
  action

• Applied the concept of biomimicry to fostering and evaluating cooperative relationships

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Climate Adaptation Fundamentals Micro-credential : Elective Courses