Authentic leadership is a cornerstone of effective healthcare leadership, yet research shows that both women and men inherently associate leadership with stereotypically masculine traits like aggression, decisiveness, willingness to engage in conflict, and action orientation.

This course, led by Professor Elizabeth Mannix, progresses through a transformative journey of authentic leadership development. You will discover how to harness your own unique values, perspectives, and experiences as sources of leadership strength rather than obstacles to overcome. The course challenges conventional leadership models by demonstrating how authenticity creates the trust, credibility, and influence essential for driving meaningful change in complex healthcare environments.

You will begin by conducting a deep assessment of both organizational gender dynamics and your own authentic leadership identity, moving beyond surface-level traits to uncover your core leadership essence. The course progresses from self-reflection to practical application, exploring authentic leadership practices and strengthening alignment between beliefs and daily actions. Through guided reflection and purpose-driven exercises, you'll craft a personal leadership purpose statement that serves as a compass for decision making and impact. You'll complete this course with a clearer sense of who you are as a leader and how to lead with intention in today's healthcare environment.