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In an era where 83% of businesses believe it’s crucial to develop leaders at all levels (DDI, Global Leadership Forecast), effective leadership has never been more vital. Today’s leaders face unprecedented challenges: navigating remote work environments, fostering diversity and inclusion, and driving innovation in rapidly changing markets. Leadership in 2024 is about more than managing tasks; it’s about inspiring teams, cultivating empathy, and creating cultures where creativity and collaboration flourish.
Recognizing these evolving demands, we’ve curated a list of the 11 best leadership courses for 2024. We’ve used Class Central’s catalog of 4600+ leadership courses to find the best ones for you. From foundational leadership principles to advanced topics these courses cover a wide spectrum of essential skills.
Crafted by renowned institutions such as Harvard, University of Illinois, and University of Michigan, as well as great picks from Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and MasterClass, these online, self-paced courses offer flexibility for busy professionals. Whether you’re looking to develop your own leadership style, manage international teams, practice mindful leadership, or glean insights from former US presidents, our list has something for every aspiring leader.
Click on the shortcuts for more details:
Here are our top picks
Why You Should Trust Us
Class Central, a Tripadvisor for online education, has helped 80 million learners find their next course. We’ve been combing through online education for more than a decade to aggregate a catalog of 250,000 online courses and 250,000 reviews written by our users. And we’re online learners ourselves: combined, the Class Central team has completed over 400 online courses, including online degrees.
BCG Stats
- All courses combined have over 1.6M enrollments
- 7 courses are free or free to audit and 5 are paid
- One course offers a free certificate of completion
- The most featured provider is Coursera with 4 courses.
This 3-hour course is ideal for aspiring team leaders or small business owners with limited time. Experienced instructor Chris Croft teaches you how to become a more capable boss, manage high-performing teams, understand delegation, and craft your own leadership style.
The course provides foundational tools to kickstart your leadership journey through engaging content. It blends academic theories with practical exercises and real-life examples, helping you gain confidence in involving employees in decision-making and planning.
Also available on LinkedIn Learning as Leadership: Practical Skills.
In this course, you will also learn to:
- Master essential leadership skills and techniques
- Achieve a healthy work-life balance and create a positive work environment
- Explore academic theories on leadership styles and techniques
- Recognize appropriate delegating styles for different situations
- Gain confidence in involving employees in decision-making and planning
- Learn from real-life examples and practical exercises
- Understand the importance of being replaceable for team growth and personal advancement.
“I found this course to be both entertaining and informative. In just a few hours, I gained valuable practical leadership skills. I especially liked the topic about delegating and motivating people. Chris Croft shared insightful stories and presented course material that made it easy for me to grasp these key skills.” – Phylis Carlin B., Udemy learner.
| Provider | Udemy or LinkedIn |
| Instructor | Chris Croft |
| Time Commitment | 2-3 hours |
| Enrollment | 583K (both providers) |
| Udemy Rating | 4.6 (86K) |
| Cost | Paid |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | Yes |
| Certificate | Yes |
If you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills and tackle the adaptive challenges of today’s world, Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles from Harvard University is ideal for you. This course is perfect for beginners who want to learn about leading in a rapidly changing environment. It’s a comprehensive introduction to leadership principles, requiring no previous experience.
The course offers insights from one of the world’s leading institutions, renowned for its expertise in leadership and organizational studies. It focuses on leading in a rapidly changing environment, teaching you how to mobilize people and drive positive change in various aspects of life.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Strategies for leading effectively in a world facing constant adaptive challenges
- Approaches to complex organizational systems and how to enact thoughtful action
- Ways to lead with, beyond, and without authority
- Techniques for thinking politically, building trust, and orchestrating conflict
- Methods to anchor yourself and maintain resilience in your leadership journey.
“Having been a Marketing leader for many years, this course still taught me new things about leadership, such as how to analyze different types of challenges (technical vs. adaptive) and the value of a “stakeholder map” in determining the extent of collaboration needed for an issue. It also provided solid strategies to address issues and had participants complete exercises that allowed you to analyze your own personal scenarios. The balance of instruction vs. personal reflection was very effective.” – Trish Monaco
| Course | Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles |
| Provider | edX |
| University | Harvard University |
| Instructor | Ronald Heifetz |
| Time Commitment | 8-12 hours |
| Enrollment | 636K |
| Rating | 4.6 (946) |
| Cost | Free to audit |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | Yes |
| Certificate | Yes, paid |
If you prefer instructor-led learning, Noble Desktop’s Applied Leadership & Management Skills offers real-time feedback and accountability that pre-recorded courses can’t match.
What I find interesting is that this program runs both in-person (NYC campus) and online (Zoom). Even if you’re attending online, you’ll have individual attention and can see other students in the classroom. You’ll be able to interact with instructors, receive feedback, and ask questions during sessions. Plus, you’ll get access to class recordings and workbooks – pretty helpful for catching up if you miss a class or reviewing what you learned.
Key Benefits
- Small class sizes (8-15 students)
- Certificate of completion to showcase achievements
- Free retake within one year
- Detailed class files with real-world projects
- Can also upgrade to the “MBA” Business Certificate for additional training, 1-on-1 mentoring and discounted bundle pricing
Noble Desktop knows what they’re doing – they’ve been around for over three decades providing instruction with industry experts. So you can rest assured your mentorship will not be with someone who just finished the course. Don’t take my word for it – student reviews on Yelp and Google praise their practical approach and instructor quality.
What You’ll Learn
- Different leadership styles to understand when to apply them for maximum success
- Techniques for clear communication in emails, meetings, and presentations
- Manage high-performing teams while cultivating a collaborative environment
- Strategies to set clear goals, overcome obstacles, and eliminate blocks to achieving objectives
- Navigate diverse personalities using brain-based learning principles to tailor your approach
- Resolve conflicts and work with challenging behaviors in professional settings
- Time management skills to stay productive, even in distraction-heavy environments
- Public speaking and presentation skills to inspire confidence and convey your message
Schedule Options
2 days full-time (weekdays)
| Institution | Noble Desktop |
| Provider | Direct (NYC campus or Live Online) |
| Instructors | Michael Meskers |
| Level | Beginner to Intermediate |
| Workload | 12 hours |
| Rating | 4.8/5.0 (Yelp) and 5.0/5.0 (Google) |
| Certificate | Certificate of Completion |
International Leadership and Organizational Behavior is designed for professionals and leaders who operate in international and multicultural environments, whether in business or non-profit sectors. It’s particularly beneficial if you interact with global teams, manage cross-border projects, or are involved in international partnerships. While some prior knowledge of organizational behavior concepts like communication, decision making, and motivation can be helpful, it’s not a prerequisite.
Università Bocconi, renowned for its expertise in international business education, provides a comprehensive exploration of international leadership and organizational behavior, combining theoretical insights with practical experiences shared by Bocconi alumni. This blend of academic rigor and real-world application equips you with the tools to navigate the complexities of intercultural leadership effectively.
Here’s what you’ll learn from this course:
- Theoretical and practical aspects of international and intercultural leadership
- Systematic differences in behavior across cultural contexts and how to manage them
- Enhancing team performance and decision-making in a multicultural environment
- Developing intercultural communication skills and understanding the impact of communication on leadership
- Strategies for motivating individuals and teams, taking into account cultural differences
- Building and leveraging social networks in an international context
- Approaches to conflict management and resolving ethical dilemmas in a global setting.
“I completed this course while working abroad and I loved it. The course helped me to have a better understanding and respect for different cultures in life and in the work environment.” – Andrea Y, Coursera learner
| Course | International Leadership and Organizational Behavior |
| Provider | Coursera |
| Institution | Università Bocconi |
| Instructor | Franz Wohlgezogen and Luigi Proserpio |
| Time Commitment | 16 hours |
| Enrollment | 139K |
| Rating | 4.8 (3.3K) |
| Cost | Free to audit |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | Yes |
| Certificate | Yes, paid |
If you’re fascinated by the intersection of creativity and leadership, especially in the high-stakes world of fashion and media, then Anna Wintour Teaches Creativity And Leadership is tailored for you. This short course is ideal for anyone who aspires to lead with vision and impact, whether you’re a beginner stepping into the creative industry or an experienced professional looking to refine your leadership skills. You will gain insights from Anna Wintour’s 30-plus years of experience as Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief and the Artistic Director of Condé Nast, where she has shaped global cultural trends and nurtured the next generation of creative talent.
Here’s what you’ll learn from this course:
- Management tips and strategies for getting work done effectively
- Guidance on finding your voice and succeeding in the creative industry
- Insights into leading a major publication (Vogue) with a strong vision
- The process of making editorial decisions and executing a transformative vision
- Understanding the power of imagery in fashion and the roles of photographers and models
- Strategies for evolving a brand and reflecting on iconic Vogue covers
- What it takes for designers to succeed and how to spot emerging talent
- Lessons from creative leaders through case studies and the transformation of the Met Gala.
You should also consider taking Disney CEO’s MasterClass, teaching from risk management to negotiation in Bob Iger Teaches Business Strategy And Leadership.
If you have the time to commit to a more comprehensive specialization, requiring about 100 hours to complete, the Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is perfect for you. This specialization is ideal for those who aspire to lead teams and organizations effectively. It’s suitable for beginners and provides an understanding of leadership fundamentals, strategic analysis, and value creation. There are no requirements to start this course. The capstone project offers a practical application of your learning, making you more attractive to potential employers.
To access the free-to-audit option, visit each course page linked below. For more information, see A Guide on How to Sign up for Coursera Courses for Free.
The courses included are:
- Developing as a Leader: Explore the concept of leadership, assess required competencies for today’s leaders, learn more about yourself and how you can make effective and ethical decisions.
- Building Effective Team Cultures: Learn about the different facets of team culture that underlie effective teams.
- Designing the Organization: Analyze organizations from multiple perspectives, understand business challenges, and strategically plan for effective organizational governance.
- Managing the Organization: Tackle common managerial challenges, develop solutions, and learn to wield power effectively and strategically for organizational change.
- Business Strategy: Grasp the principles of value creation, and acquire tools to analyze competition and cooperation from both industry and firm perspectives.
- Corporate Strategy: Explore economic value creation and appropriation, mastering tools to analyze competition and cooperation at the corporate level.
- Strategic Leadership and Management Capstone: Develop a strategic leadership and management plan where you’ll apply what you will learn to an actual business situation with participation by one or more focal companies.
“This research based specialization has provided the fundamental knowledge and essential skills in from daily strategic leadership to Managing organization effectively[…]” – Zaw Z O, Coursera Learner
| Course | Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization |
| Provider | Coursera |
| Institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| Instructor | Various |
| Time Commitment | Over 100 hours |
| Enrollment | 130K |
| Rating | 4.8 (6.5K) |
| Cost | Free to audit |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | Yes |
| Certificate | Yes, paid |
Embark on a journey of self-discovery, building inner stability, and learning to navigate the complexities of power, politics, and ethics in leadership with Leadership Skills by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. Drawing inspiration from the timeless Indian epic, The Mahabharata, this beginner-friendly course is a comprehensive exploration of various leadership facets, ranging from self-management to organizational change. Ideal for individuals from diverse work backgrounds who are eager to lead effectively in any position, with or without formal authority. Grounded in a blend of disciplines, including business management, psychology, and even insights from ancient Indian wisdom, it provides a rich and multidimensional learning experience. To get the most out of this course, you should have some experience or basic understanding of working within organizations.
Here’s what you’ll learn in the Leadership Skills course:
- Self-awareness and self-management techniques to lead oneself before others
- The TREAT leadership framework and how to develop competencies in task orientation, relation orientation, empowerment, authenticity, and team building
- Supportive communication strategies and understanding decision-making biases
- Navigating power and politics in organizations and leading effectively upwards
- Managing ethical dilemmas, shaping organizational culture, and driving change
- Leadership lessons from the Indian epic, The Mahabharata, and their application in modern-day leadership.
“Best leadership lessons with practical examples. The added epic “Mahabharatha” is helpful to incorporate extraordinary pieces of knowledge into our daily life which is a gift.[…]” – SOURIT K, Coursera learner.
| Course | Leadership Skills |
| Provider | Coursera |
| Institution | Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad |
| Instructor | Vishal Gupta |
| Time Commitment | 46 hours |
| Enrollment | 178K |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.4K) |
| Cost | Free to Audit |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | Yes |
| Certificate | Yes, paid |
Lean Leadership Skills, Lean Culture & Lean Management is perfect for managers and leaders looking to drive change within their organizations. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience with lean principles, this course is comprehensive enough to deepen your understanding of lean culture and management. Led by Larry Miller, an expert with over forty years of experience implementing lean culture in companies like Honda, Toyota, and Shell Oil Company, this course offers practical, field-tested knowledge that will guide you through the essential principles and practices of lean leadership, ensuring that you can successfully implement continuous improvement in your organization.
By the end of this course, you will learn:
- How to lead a change process and implement continuous improvement and lean culture in your organization
- The design of natural work and management teams focused on continuous improvement
- Essential problem-solving methods used in continuous improvement
- Strategies to eliminate waste and engage team members in continuous improvement (kaizen).
“This material course truly provides valuable insights on how to develop effective leadership in a more efficient and responsive environment. I feel greatly inspired and ready to implement these new concepts in my daily work. Thank you for this excellent opportunity and material course!” – Oscar H., Udemy learner.
Learn leadership from past US Presidents. These courses are great for anyone who wants to be a better leader, no matter your politics.
President George W Bush Teaches Authentic Leadership
If you want to develop your leadership skills with a focus on authenticity and personal connection, this course is for you. President Bush teaches you how to make tough decisions and lead with a style that is true to you. You’ll learn from his experiences in the Oval Office and from former First Lady Laura Bush too.
President Bill Clinton Teaches Inclusive Leadership
This course is all about bringing different people together. President Clinton shares his knowledge from handling big world problems and uniting diverse teams effectively.
Doris Kearns Goodwin Teaches Us Presidential History And Leadership
If you like US history and want to learn about past presidents’ leadership styles, this course is perfect. Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, teaches about presidents like Lincoln and Roosevelt. It’s good for beginners and gives you both practical and inspiring leadership tips.
Gain insights into transformational leadership and strategic diversity planning, learning how to foster an inclusive environment in higher education institutions. Leading for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education is ideal for professionals who are currently in leadership roles in higher education or those aspiring to such positions, particularly with an interest in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Provided by the University of Michigan, this comprehensive course explores the complexities of leadership in the context of a changing demographic and contested social discourse.
In this course, you will learn to:
- Recognize the historical and current impacts of institutional structures on inclusion and exclusion in higher education
- Understand and enact transformational leadership for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Navigate the complexities of governance, legislative issues, and public accountability in higher education
- Analyze and apply strategic diversity planning to promote institutional change
- Propose innovative solutions for transformational change at various levels within the higher education ecosystem.
“Great course that opened my eyes to subtle forms of exclusion. The lessons provoked me to find creative leadership strategies to include marginalized groups. Geared towards higher education but skills will transfer to many fields of interest.” – Carolyn P, Coursera learner.
Dream of being a CEO or working with top executives? Rise to Leadership: Become a CEO is your ideal starting point. Perfect for beginners interested in the nuts and bolts of executive leadership and also beneficial for current managers wanting to polish their skills. This all-encompassing course teaches six vital skills every CEO needs. No requirements to join. Offered by Babson College, known for its expertise in business and entrepreneurship, this course offers quality learning from a well-regarded institution.
In this course, you will learn:
- The six key competencies of a successful CEO: achieving results, creating culture, attracting talent, driving innovation, formulating strategy, and communicating with stakeholders
- How to assess your own strengths and weaknesses in relation to the CEO role
- Strategies for effective decision-making and problem-solving at the executive level
- Insights into the CEO’s perspective on strategic challenges and their solutions
- Practical skills for managing teams and influencing company culture.
| Course | Rise to Leadership: Become a CEO |
| Provider | edX |
| Institution | Babson College |
| Instructor | Peter Cohan |
| Time Commitment | 16-24 hours |
| Enrollment | 27K |
| Cost | Free to audit |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | Yes |
| Certificate | Yes, paid |
Leadership and Programme Management in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is a perfect fit for healthcare professionals involved in or leading Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in their organizations. It’s especially beneficial for those in, or aspiring to, leadership positions in IPC teams. The curriculum encompasses key areas such as leadership qualities, project management, risk assessment, educational strategies, and implementation techniques. Designed for newcomers to leadership and management in the IPC field, it doesn’t require any specific prerequisites and comes with a free certificate. This course equips learners with the skills to drive positive change, manage IPC projects effectively, and develop lasting IPC programs.
By completing this course, you will learn to:
- Define leadership in the context of IPC and relate it to your own leadership style
- Communicate effectively and manage conflicts within IPC teams
- Apply project management skills to IPC programs and understand risk management strategies
- Utilize adult learning theories for healthcare worker education and training
- Implement IPC interventions using a framework that considers context, innovation, and recipients
- Develop and apply quality improvement strategies for better IPC outcomes.
Note: Be sure to fill out the required information in your profile after registration. To proceed to the course, you just need to answer one question: “What is your professional affiliation?”
How We Made Our Picks and Tested Them
Trying to find “the best” can be daunting, even for those of us who live and breathe online courses. Here’s how I approached this task.
First, I combed through Class Central’s Catalog and the internet to find a variety of free and paid open courses, some with certificates. You don’t need to enroll in a university to learn about leadership.
When choosing courses, I considered the following factors:
- Renowned Institutions: I looked for recognized institutions in leadership.
- Instructor experience: I sought instructors with extensive experience in leadership and engaging presentation styles
- Course content: I examined courses that covered a range of topics and presentation styles, including the basics and more advanced topics. I watched some course videos to sample courses I hadn’t already taken
- Learner reviews: I read learner reviews (when available) to get a sense of the quality of each course, leveraging the Class Central database with its thousands of course ratings and reviews written by our users as well as available course provider reviews.
Then, I defined the scope for these recommendations. A leadership course can cover various topics, so I chose top courses from a range of sub-fields.
Ultimately, I used a combination of data and my own judgment to make these picks. I’m confident these recommendations will be a reliable way to learn about leadership.
