This online course focuses on a strengths-based approach to leadership development, encouraging you to identify and leverage your natural talents and acquired skills. Rather than solely focusing on weaknesses, the course guides you in understanding what you are naturally good at and how to expand upon these strengths. The program is designed to help you harness your existing capabilities to increase both individual and team performance, manage self-doubt, and set personalized, forward-looking development goals. Developed and taught by Professor Erica Dawson, Director of Engineering Leadership Programs at Cornell University, this course is ideal for emerging and early-to-mid-career engineers transitioning into leadership roles, professionals working cross-functionally with technical teams, or graduate students moving from academia to industry. The curriculum emphasizes practical application and personal growth, equipping you with the tools to become a more effective leader.
The course is structured over two weeks, requiring 3 to 5 hours of study per week. It is designed to be highly interactive and practical, focusing on actionable strategies for leadership development.
Completing this course can significantly enhance your leadership capabilities, potentially accelerating your career progression within engineering and technical fields. Graduates often report increased effectiveness in management roles and faster advancement.
English proficiency can also be demonstrated if you are a U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident, English is your native language, or English has been the primary language of instruction throughout your secondary school career. Self-reported scores are accepted initially.
Tuition and living costs are not detailed for this specific course. Interested students are encouraged to contact the university for current fee information.
Cornell University is internationally recognized for its standard of excellence.
The course is designed for emerging engineering leaders with 0-10+ years of experience, engineers transitioning into leadership, and professionals working with technical teams. Specific academic qualifications beyond relevant experience are not detailed, but English proficiency is required via IELTS (7.5), TOEFL (100 pre-Jan 2026, 5.0 post-Jan 2026), Duolingo (130), or Cambridge C1/C2 (191).
This is a two-week online course. It requires an estimated 3 to 5 hours of study per week.
Tuition and living costs are not specified for this course. Interested students should contact the university directly for current fee information.
To apply, express your interest via the eCornell website's 'Tell me more!' or 'Request Information Now' forms. You will then receive instructions to complete the formal online application. It is recommended to apply in advance as courses can fill quickly.
This course can enhance leadership capabilities for roles such as Engineering Manager, Team Lead, Project Manager, or Technical Leader. Graduates may experience accelerated career progression and increased effectiveness in management positions.