Purpose at Work: A Course for Employees and Leaders
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Purpose at Work: A Course for Employees and Leaders
This course is part of Personal and Professional Development Specialization
Instructor: Vic Strecher
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What you'll learn
The history of purpose in work
Purpose in work and ways of finding greater fulfillment of purpose through work
Approaches organizational leaders can take to create a more purposeful organization
Details to know
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- Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 3 modules in this course
Welcome to Purpose at Work: A Course for Employees and Leaders!
Why purpose at work? Because most of us spend most of our waking hours working. Many of us spend years of effort to obtain jobs that may give us purpose. But can we find purpose in nearly any job? Are we more engaged and likely to remain in our job if it gives us purpose? Can leaders create a culture that makes it easier for people to find purpose in their work? The answers are ‘yes’ to all of the above and this course shows you how. In this course we first examine what purpose is, the benefits of having a purpose, and how to find your own purpose. We then look at purposeful work, including ways of finding purposeful work in the process of leading a more engaged and fulfilling life. Finally, we focus on purposeful leadership, including ways of leading with purpose and managing yourself. Also, in this course I interview business executives, leading organizational psychologists, and even the research director of NASA. These discussions offer real-world insights and strategies to students, employees, and leaders.
In this week, you'll meet your instructor, Vic Strecher, and get a foundational introduction to what purpose is from a historical context through to contemporary times, and why purpose is important. This week of the course is for everyone!
What's included
6 videos3 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts
6 videos•Total 61 minutes
- Introduction to Purpose•12 minutes
- What is a purpose and why is it important?•6 minutes
- Health Outcomes Associated with a Strong Purpose•17 minutes
- Who is Purpose for?•7 minutes
- Self-affirmation•11 minutes
- Becoming Purposeful and Week 1 Summary•9 minutes
3 readings•Total 12 minutes
- Welcome to the Course / Meet Your Instructor•2 minutes
- Course Syllabus•5 minutes
- Course Pre-Survey•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Week 1 Quiz: What is purpose and why is it important? •10 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
- Self-Affirmation•10 minutes
- Week 1 Takeaways•10 minutes
In this week, you can expect to learn more about finding purposeful work and crafting your purpose in your work. This week of the course will be particularly relevant to current and future employees.
What's included
9 videos1 assignment2 discussion prompts
9 videos•Total 92 minutes
- What We're Facing•8 minutes
- Purpose and Resilience•6 minutes
- Domains of Purpose•4 minutes
- Finding Purpose in Work•20 minutes
- Growth Mindset and Work•19 minutes
- Finding a Purposeful Culture at Work•5 minutes
- Being Purposeful At Work•16 minutes
- The #1 "do" Goal: Managing Our Emotions•7 minutes
- Week 2 Summary•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
- Week 2 Quiz: Purposeful Work•10 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
- What are you facing?•10 minutes
- Week 2 Takeaway •10 minutes
This week will provide insights into how to develop purposeful organizations and learn how to engage as a purposeful leader. You will hear from several guests in this week as they provide additional perspectives on purposeful leadership. The content in this week will be of particular interest to current and future leaders.
What's included
12 videos1 reading1 peer review
12 videos•Total 85 minutes
- Introduction to Purposeful Leadership•1 minute
- What is a purpose-driven leader? Interview with Bob Quinn•37 minutes
- Bigger Title Than You?•1 minute
- Interview with Ari Weinzweig•4 minutes
- Purposeful Leaders•2 minutes
- Interview with Thomas Zerbuchen, Director of Research at NASA•6 minutes
- Leading with Purpose: Model•1 minute
- Leading with Purpose: Empower•17 minutes
- Leading with Purpose: Connect•7 minutes
- Managing Yourself: Interview with Ari•4 minutes
- We're small, but...: Interview with Thomas•3 minutes
- Purposeful Leadership Summary•1 minute
1 reading•Total 5 minutes
- Course Post-Survey•5 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Purposeful Leadership Reflection•60 minutes
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Reviewed on Jan 17, 2023
Wonderful course with great speakers. Powerful inspirations.
Reviewed on Jul 23, 2024
An excellent course, Vic is a passionate and knowledgable lecturer.
Reviewed on Apr 14, 2023
I just completed this course designed by the University of Michigan by professor Vic Strecher. This course will help you broaden your thought process and focus on the purpose of doing anything.
Frequently asked questions
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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.
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