Encountering ethical risks and resolving ethical dilemmas is an unavoidable part of management in any industry. Thinking systemically and leveraging values could help you tackle complex organisational problems without compromising on your ethics.
In this ten-week microcredential from Nottingham Business School, you’ll learn what it means to think systemically and to take a values-driven approach to problem-solving.
Learn how to prioritise stakeholders and promote ethical decision-making
Recognising stakeholders and identifying their needs is the first step in resolving ethical issues.
You’ll be introduced to stakeholder theory and different stakeholder models, learning how to apply these when confronted with an ethical dilemma.
You’ll also be equipped with tools, strategies, and resources to assist you in tackling complex problems. You’ll discover a range of philosophical scenarios and real-life case studies that you can apply to your own context.
Discover leadership theories and different approaches to problem-solving
Research on leadership is vast. You’ll delve into a range of definitions and theories of leadership, evaluating which is most suitable in the context of your own organisation and leadership style.
You’ll also discuss how different leadership approaches impact on organisational problem-solving. Engaging recent research on issues and trends in leadership, you’ll consider how wider systems influence ethical decision-making.
Understand the benefits of collaborative leadership for organisational culture
Understanding how organisations can work to encourage or discourage certain behaviours is essential for developing ethical organisational cultures. You’ll learn how to engage your team to solve problems collectively, and how this collaborative approach to leadership could be beneficial for your organisation’s culture.
Harness systems thinking to solve organisational problems
Systems thinking is about taking a more holistic approach to problem-solving. Seeing your organisation as a series of connecting parts within a wider network will help you appreciate the bigger picture and think more strategically.
In the final two weeks of the course, you’ll learn how thinking systemically could help you resolve ethical dilemmas. You’ll learn to connect yourself and your employees to your organisation and its wider network.
You’ll finish the course with a clear sense of your values, and an understanding of how systems thinking could help you promote them.
How will this microcredential help in my career?
This microcredential will equip you with the philosophical background and practical tools you need to resolve ethical dilemmas without compromising on your values. This will give you greater confidence and integrity as a leader in your organisation.
You’ll also learn how to promote an ethical working culture by taking a collaborative approach to leadership. This will help to harness the decision-making capacity of your colleagues, and earn their respect by empowering them to play a more active role in the organisational system.
Finally, you’ll learn more about the benefits of systems thinking, an organisational approach with considerable traction in management today. This will give you vital knowledge for your leadership career.
How will I be assessed?
At the end of the course, you’ll write a 2,000-word individual reflective report describing an ethical problem encountered by a given organisation. You’ll be required to assess the organisation’s culture and leadership, and develop a set of recommendations for how it could resolve the ethical challenge.
This will test your ability to reflect critically on values and value conflicts, and your systemic leadership skills.
Will I receive university credits?
Yes, you’ll earn 10 Level 7 credits at postgraduate level from Nottingham Trent University.
You can use these credits to build towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management Practice from Nottingham Business School.
