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Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate Leadership in the digital world short course
In this CPD course, we will explore selected aspects of leadership, including whether or not leadership has fundamentally changed in the digital era. We will suggest some specific ways of leading teams that help you focus 'on doing the right things'. You'll be encouraged to take an objective look at your leadership effectiveness and build on all that you learn to define a development plan.
This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course comprises eight units:
Unit 1: Leadership in context
The course begins with exploring the reasons why ‘leadership’ generates so much debate amongst so many people – researchers, academics, journalists, as well as leaders themselves – and why people have been fascinated by leadership over the millennia.
Unit 2: Making sense of leadership
There are many different theories about leadership and the approaches that will maximise the chances of success. In this unit, we examine some of these theories, reflecting on the differences and similarities between them.
Unit 3: Leadership in a digital world
We will now turn our attention to leadership in the digital world. You might reasonably assume that in a world so radically different from a few decades ago, the nature of leadership has also fundamentally changed. We explore that notion, and test assumptions about what has changed and what endures.
Unit 4: Developing the skills of leadership
This unit will see us pick up threads from the preceding units and focus on how you can develop your skills as a leader. We ask you to identify leaders you admire, to highlight their key attributes, and to start to think about what you need to do to become the leader you seek to be.
Unit 5: Leadership at different levels
We explore different kinds of leadership roles and consider how the task of leadership evolves as you take on more senior, and therefore more complex, roles.
Unit 6: The importance of feedback
The focus of this unit will be on a single activity: asking for feedback from one or more colleagues. Asking people whose opinion you trust will help you to understand your current leadership in greater detail.
Unit 7: Leading in uncertain times
In this unit, we'll explore examples of leadership in challenging circumstances, considering what is required of leaders during times of uncertainty.
Unit 8: Your plan, your leadership
In the final unit, it’s time to draw together the threads of your learning. We will focus on how you'll use what you have learned to grow your leadership skills, and to help you be an even more effective leader.
All the information you need to complete the course is provided within each unit. There are also other links to material and resources provided, to explore topics further as you wish.
By the end of this CPD course, you'll be able to:
Expert, confidential learner support is available when you need it from a learning adviser, who will respond to you directly. Other support is available via the course forum, dedicated website and computing helpdesk.
There is a practice-based assignment (PBA) which you complete at the end of the course to demonstrate how you have applied, or are intending to apply, the theories and models you have learnt. Once completed and successfully passed you will receive a digital badge and a course completion certificate which you can download as a record of your learning.
The course will require around 20 hours to complete.
You can begin at any time during the life of the course and study at your own pace. The course will be open to you for a time period of between 6 and 18 months, depending on your course registration date, and you will be advised of the specific time limitations upon enrolment.
All learning materials, exercises, study support and practice-based assignment are delivered entirely online.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no formal academic requirements.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact us.
The course is delivered online and makes use of a variety of online resources. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet you are advised to contact us about support which can be given to meet your needs.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying BGXC009 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
StartEngland fee
At anytime before 31/07/2026£250
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
If this course is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could ask your employer to sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. Your sponsor just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
The fee information provided here is valid for short courses starting in the 2026/27 academic year. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
You can start this course anytime.
You can start this course anytime.
Level info