Best Leadership Courses Online 2023

18 Best leadership courses. Learn to lead and inspire great teams.

Anybody looking for entrepreneurial or business success should possess a specialized leadership skillset needed to persuade and inspire people. Without it, it will become even more difficult to make one’s mark in the already hyper-competitive world we live in today.

It is not surprising that many entrepreneurs and professionals resort to leadership training courses that can widen their thought processes in innovative ways. Below, we give you a tour of some of the best leadership courses online that help individuals transcend all psychological and social barriers by evolving into creative and impactful leaders.

Leadership Courses Online – Overview 

Leadership is predominantly defined as the ability to influence a group of people and, more importantly, guide them in ways that ensure success. Innovative and stimulating leadership is one of the most significant catalysts behind entrepreneurial achievements.

It is also essential to differentiate between leadership and team management. While there may be a tendency amongst some to use the two terms synonymously, there is a notable difference between them.

Simply put, leadership s about inspiring, while management revolves around planning. A manager’s primary task is to control value while a leader creates value. The two require a substantially different set of skills opening up other pathways. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you cannot be a successful leader and manager simultaneously.

Contrary to traditional notions, leadership is more than an innate personality trait. And it is a skill that can be learned. If you want to become an inspiring entrepreneur, a successful business owner, or simply encourage a positive change in your company, you can certainly do so by enrolling in one of the many leadership courses online.

Best Leadership Courses Online 2023 – Top Picks

Coursera	GetSmarter	MasterClass	edX
Strategic Leadership	Executive Leadership	Inclusive Leadership	Leadership Certification
University of Illinois	Oxford University	with Bill Clinton	Harvard University
$59/month	$2,800	$10/month	from $250
Visit Website	Visit Website	Visit Website	Visit Website

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure at the end of this post.

Note: Below is a list of the best leadership courses online that teach learners how to become influential leaders in their field. It does not aim to cover all the classes available.

1. Oxford Executive Leadership Program – Oxford University

Oxford Executive Leadership Program (visit website) is an 8-week course for professionals and executives who are looking to contribute to their organization in valuable ways.

This course caters to the demands of most modern businesses in search of youth leaders who understand the needs of today’s fast-paced world. These leaders are primarily tasked with navigating the complex challenges and empowering their teams to succeed. This leadership course aims to help instill this very set of skills in the learners.

Some key talents you will explore over eight weeks include power and influence, authenticity, motivation, change and adaptability, and diversity.

This program is not only for people aspiring for the C-suite and managerial posts, but they would make the perfect demographic. It is for anyone wishing to derive change through their leadership success and make some impact.

Provider: Oxford University, GetSmarter | Time: 8 weeks | Certificate: Yes.
Level: Managers | Price: $2,800 or £2,350 | Discount 15%: GS-AF-LEARN15
Info: Visit course website. Get free prospectus. Browse all online leadership courses.

2. Oxford Senior Leadership Executive Programme

The Oxford Senior Leadership Executive Programme (visit website) is an in-depth online leadership program designed to enhance leadership skills, align personal goals with strategic vision, and develop resilience in uncertain times. It is a course stack or career path consisting of 3 individual leadership courses on the GetSmarter platform.

Oxford’s Executive Leadership Program emphasizes (view) the development of key leadership skills. Participants dive into topics such as effective decision-making, strategic planning, and team management. You will explore different leadership styles, learn how to adapt them to different situations and get the ability to inspire and motivate your teams.

Oxford’s Enterprise Leadership Program (view) focuses on aligning individual goals with a company’s strategic vision. As a participant, you will learn how to drive organizational growth while maintaining a strong personal leadership identity. Understand the strategies for innovation, change management, and creating a culture of continuous improvement.

Oxford’s Organisational Resilience Programme (view) equips participants with the skills to navigate and lead through turbulent times. Learn how to identify disruptions and potential threats, develop contingency plans, and build resilient and future-proof organizations.

Spanning over 5 months, this CPD-certified leadership course stack requires 7-10 hours of weekly commitment, making it a manageable venture for busy professionals. Participants will receive a certificate from Saïd Business School, Oxford University. It is one of the best leadership courses online for those who want to take a senior role in their organization.

Provider: Oxford Saïd, GetSmarter | Time: 5 months | Certification: CPD.
For: Managers | Price: $7,420, £5,950 | Discount 15%: GS-AF-LEARN15
Info: Visit course website. Get free prospectus. Browse all online leadership courses.

3. Strategic Thinking for the CXO, Cambridge University, Emeritus

Leadership and business decision-making are the focus of Cambridge’s Strategic Thinking for the CXO course (visit website). If you are a corporate leader with strategic thinking at the heart of your operations, this leadership course promises to bestow upon you advanced techniques for formulating, evaluating, and executing competitive strategies.

Split into 8 modules, the course starts by covering the principles and practices of strategy formulation, evaluation, and execution, while introducing you to frameworks, models, and tools for creating breakthrough strategies. You’ll also analyze real-life business situations, using case studies from Honda and Lego, and learn to devise creative, strategic solutions.

What’s special about the course’s curriculum is its reflection on the fundamental changes precipitated in the corporate world by the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the seventh module of this online leadership course is all about learning to make strategic adjustments to survive in and make the most of external environments and emergent crises.

In addition to analyzing real-world case studies, you’ll have an opportunity to develop your own templates and tip sheets to apply the strategic frameworks and models at your work, and engage in discussion activities. Once you’ve successfully completed the course, you’ll get a digital certificate from Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education.

Provider: Cambridge, Emeritus | Time: 8 weeks | Certificate: Yes.
For: CXOs, Executives, Strategy consultants  | Pace: Instructor-lead | Price: $1,840
Info: Visit course website. Get free brochure. Browse full course catalog on Emeritus.

4. Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization – University of Illinois, Coursera

Strategic Leadership and Management (visit website) is a popular specialization on Coursera and is authorized by the University of Illinois. Participants will learn fundamental business and leadership skills and effective strategies to become aspiring leaders.

This six-course leadership training program teaches you how to analyze complex business situations and effectively lead your team by developing the right mindset and tools.

Along the way, learners will also pick up on related key concepts such as strategy making, human resources, organizational foundations, and ways to capture the value that can generate a competitive advantage for your business.

Students will finish the certified program with a capstone project and the chance to apply the skills learned and create a strategic management plan for a chosen business situation. One or more focal companies will be involved in giving you hands-on experience. This is among the best leadership courses online and on Coursera.

Provider: University of Illinois, Coursera
Pricing: Free trial. $59/month Coursera Plus. | Review: 4.8 ★★★★★
Info: View course. Browse: Search all leadership courses online on Coursera.

5. Leading Sustainability: High Impact Leadership – University of Cambridge

Leading Sustainability: High Impact Leadership (visit website) by the University of Cambridge is a renowned 8-week leadership training program. The primary goal is to help develop leadership skills and learn how to unite teams for a cause. It will teach leadership aspirants to build their self-confidence and how to make an impact in any industry as well.

Participants learn to analyze their leadership style and recognize the opportunities to manifest them in actual life situations. Leading Sustainability strongly focuses on showing individuals how to shape their selected business and work environment productively, particularly in times of permanent technological disruption.

This is among the best leadership courses online to learn to create and implement business strategies in the most sustainable and also productive ways. During the 8-week leadership training, students will pick up those critical integral leadership-related skills. You will learn about the values and thought processes required for high-leadership impact.

Along the way, you will understand to master the ability to communicate effectively, become more influential, create your action plans, and access the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) alumni network comprising around 9000 senior leaders and business practitioners. A free prospectus is available.

Provider: University of Cambridge, GetSmarter | Time: 8 weeks | Certificate: Yes
Level: Professionals | Price: approx. $2,800 | Discount 15%: GS-AF-LEARN15
Info: Visit course website. Get free prospectus. Browse all online leadership courses.

6. Ultimate Leadership with Keith Ferrazzi – Mindvalley

Ultimate Leadership (visit website) with Mindvalley’s Mogul Keth Ferrazzi teaches learners the ultimate technique of rising above the challenges and securing the blueprint for leadership in the newly evolved business era post-pandemic. He has accumulated his decade-long experience of working with executive and C-Suite leaders into this series of strategic frameworks that comprise his online leadership course.

Keth Ferrazzi emphasizes the importance of differentiating between the traditional notion of leadership that is proving more and more inadequate and a revolutionary leadership mindset that keenly assesses the older strategies and discards anything which does not effectively serve the business purpose.

In this course, you will learn about the “eight dimensions of leadership”. These include candor, collaboration, teamwork, accountability, development, energy, relationships, outcomes, and removing the status quo.

In a series of 20 minutes/day, you will learn about a new dimension of effective leadership and build yourself into the kind of leader who can strategize, navigate through complex challenges, and motivate their team when needed. This is one of the best leadership courses on Mindvalley and a subscription gives access to all other classes.

Instructor: Keith Ferrazzi Mindvalley | Training: 5 hours | Languages: 6
Price: $99/month or $499 annually. Access to all online courses.
Info: View course page. Membership: Visit website. Get a discount.

7. Bill Clinton Teaches Inclusive Leadership – MasterClass

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (visit website) offers an excellent Masterclass to help learners with inclusivity while manifesting leadership-one of the key components of modern business culture. In this course, Bill Clinton draws upon his political career to teach the art of managing and mediating conflicts, handling criticism, and inspiring diverse teams.

The 42^nd president of the United States brings his lifetime experience of bridging divides and navigating complex and constantly evolving challenges to his masterclass. In a series of fourteen short lectures, you will learn about some of the key drivers of sound leadership.

Some core skills taught in the masterclass include developing the right framework for leadership, decision-making, prioritization, negotiation, public speaking, facing criticism, assembling teams, emotional intelligence, and the power of optimism.

Most of the skills taught in this course are soft skills revolving around the importance of a high EQ alongside a good IQ. It’s one of the best leadership courses online for anyone looking for an autobiography learning style.

Instructor: Bill Clinton MasterClass | Suitable for: All levels
Price: from $10/month. Access to all 180+ online courses.
Info: View course page. | View pricing info and plans.

8. The Transformational Leader – Mindvalley

Become a Transformational Leader (visit website) is suitable for those who want to learn leadership and business skills from visionary leader Monty Moran. The former CEO of Chipotle shares his journey and experience as a leader and offers inspiration, insights, strategies, and a blueprint of how to start leading instead of managing.

It also explores the systematic process that any leader can apply to transform their workplace and reap rewards at both work and in life. The highlights of this popular online leadership course include developing a magnetic presence, upholding visions, designing a healthy company culture, and cultivating a rich inner worldview.

Contrary to most other best leadership courses online, this one is compact with roughly four hours of training. Over the course of 14 days, students learn through bite-sized videos that lead them to the path towards transformation. A Mindvalley membership provides access to all classes on the platform with a great selection of business-related topics.

Platform: Mindvalley | Instructor: Nir Eyal | Training: 8.5 Hours
Price: $99/month or $499 annually. Access to all 60+ online courses.
Membership: Visit website. Get a discount. Try 15 days risk-free.

9. Leading People and Teams Specialization – University of Michigan, Coursera

Leading People and Teams (visit website) by the University of Michigan is a 4-week specialization on Coursera. It targets individuals looking to learn proven management techniques as quickly and effectively as possible. The key skills this program focuses on include vision alignment, talent management, goal setting, motivating employees, leadership development, commitment, and recruitment.

Your leadership-building journey will begin with the techniques that help you create a shared vision and understand the important drivers of performance across a diverse set of cultures. This will be followed by a course on managing talent, which is an important pillar upholding the modern business infrastructure.

Towards the end, you will dive deeply into the art of influencing people and leading teams. Here the focus will be on influencing people without the focus on authority and improving network and collaboration. This is one of the best leadership courses online with a focus on people management. Certification is available.

Provider: University of Michigan, Coursera
Pricing: Free trial. $59/month Coursera Plus. | Review: 4.8 ★★★★★
Info: View course. Browse: Search all leadership courses online on Coursera.

10. Professional Certificate in Leadership and Communication, Harvard edX

The Professional Certificate in Leadership (visit website) by Harvard University is a 2 skill-building course. This online leadership training program revolves around building your network through effective and trustful communication and leadership techniques.

The first class, Exercising Leadership, focuses on tackling tough problems and building the capacity to withstand the ever-changing business and social landscapes. Students will learn how to implement strategies for interpersonal relationships and collaboration.

The second class, Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking, is about gaining critical skills in writing and public speaking. You will also be introduced to the American political rhetoric as a reference for effective public speaking and positively inspiring the people around you. This is among the best leadership courses online for those seeking certification from a renowned university.

Provider: Harvard University, edX | Type: Professional Certificate
Duration: 3 months. 2-3 hours/week | Pricing: from $250
Info: View course page. Browse: Search all leadership training programs on edX.

11. Women’s Leadership Program – Yale School of Management

Women’s Leadership Program (visit website) offered by Yale University is a 6-week course on changing the longstanding underrepresentation of women in the world of business and leadership. This course is for women who are in pursuit of high-stake designations. It will teach you how to navigate the external factors that hinder women’s growth as well as overcome the internal challenges that weaken their ability to take on powerful roles.

This popular leadership training program will teach women ways to explore value-based leadership roles and the kind of self-mastery that boosts one’s self-esteem, increases self-confidence, improves their emotional intelligence, and strengthens them as an individual.

By the end, you will have gained substantial insights into your unique traits and attributes, the modern and powerful tools leaders use to derive change, the idea of leveraging relationships and developing plans that align with your overall leadership goals.

Provider: Yale University, GetSmarter | Time: 6 weeks | Certificate: Yes.
Level: Professionals | Price: $2,800 | Discount 15%: GS-AF-LEARN15
Info: Visit course website. Get free prospectus. Browse all online leadership courses.

12. Leadership: Practical Leadership Skills – Udemy

Udemy’s best-selling leadership course (visit website) provides practical advice to learners to develop the kind of leadership mindset needed for problem-solving. This course is for anyone holding high-stake designations and who needs to master the tools and techniques that will make them effective leaders without breaking much sweat.

Some of the key takeaways in this program deal with an effective delegation of power, leadership styles and techniques, matching styles to situations, developing plans for the future, being a better boss for everybody and running a highly effective team.

Learners also gain insight into the importance of maintaining a work-life balance and building tools to help them become respected leaders. It will allow them to secure the best from their employees by understanding how to get people involved sustainably. This is probably one of the best leadership courses online if you wish to understand important core concepts without paying high tuition fees.

Platform: Udemy | Level: Beginners
Lectures: 43 | Video: 2.5 hours | User Rating: 4.6 ★★★★☆
Price: View course. From $11.99. Sale: Up to 95% Off. Browse full category.

Tip: Explore our lists of the best business courses, or entrepreneurship courses or project management courses, or business management courses, or blockchain courses, or accounting courses, or real estate courses to expand your skills in the field of business.

13. Leading in an Exceptionally Changing World – MIT Sloan School of Management

Leading in an Exceptionally Changing World (visit website) by MIT is a 6-week course for people who are looking to gain the communication skills needed to strategically lead teams and reach company goals. The certified program is an assessment of all the ways the traditional approach to leadership has become outdated.

Participants will learn why leadership in the 21^st century is a continuously evolving experience requiring the adaptation of new technologies, reshaping the landscape, and understanding the changing customer expectations.

MIT’s leadership program will teach you about the 4-CAPS+ Leadership Framework, developed by Faculty Director Deborah Ancona and her colleagues at MIT. This framework will help learners examine the various leadership styles, leveraging them to meet their leadership goals and a foolproof approach to leading teams effectively.

Towards the end, you will be equipped with both a professional certificate and the executive suite of leadership competencies to drive success. It is one of the best leadership courses online for those with ambitious career goals in this area.

Provider: MIT Sloan, GetSmarter | Time: 6 weeks | Leadership Certificates: Yes
Level: Professionals | Price: $2,800 | Discount 15%: GS-AF-LEARN15
Info: Visit course website. Get free prospectus. Browse all online leadership courses.

14. Become a Leader – LinkedIn Learning

Become a Leader (visit website.) is a 10-course leadership training program to build the mindset, perspective, and communication skills required to become a leader that people want to follow. This course is for individuals in pursuit of managerial or executive posts as well as anyone who wishes to capitalize the most on their entrepreneurial mindset.

Your journey begins with several modules on the core concepts of leadership. It covers subjects such as the mindset needed to transition from a manager to a leader, raising self-awareness, or designing an authentic leadership philosophy. It also shows how to invest time and energy in your organization best and how to create a positive impact.

As you’ll near the final leadership courses in this program, there will be lessons on how to set your priorities, demonstrate credibility, stand out from the crowd, and lead with the purpose of increasing revenue but also inspiring people. If you are a LinkedIn Learning subscriber, this could be among their best leadership courses to consider.

Platform: LinkedIn Learning | Level: General | Path: 10 online leadership courses
Plans: View course. from $26.99/month annually. Get a 1-Month free trial.

15. Leadership and Change – London School of Economics LSE

Leadership and Change (visit website) by The London School of Economics is a renowned program on transformational leadership created for current and prospective business leaders of the public and private sectors. A great bulk of this leadership course emphasizes the technological disruption, which is such an integral part of today’s landscape.

According to the London School of Economics, change and uncertainty are two of the most pressing threats faced by CEOs today. This leadership course imparts practical knowledge and skills relating to handling the evolving and complex problems of today.

Participants will master the tools and gain the expertise needed by leaders to survive and grow. Students will gain valuable insight on managing shifting market conditions, organizational and technological disruptions, and unprecedented challenges.

You will also learn about the ethics in business and the psychology that business leaders must adhere to gain a competitive advantage. It is among the best leadership courses online for those wanting to stay up to date in fast-paced business environments.

Provider: London School of Economics | Time: 8 weeks | Certificate: Yes
Level: Professionals | Price: $3,138 or £2,500 | Discount 15%: GS-AF-LEARN15
Info: Visit course website. Get free prospectus. Browse all online leadership courses.

16. Modern Leadership: Give Honest Feedback At Work – Skillshare

One of the tricky parts of becoming a successful leader is giving and getting honest feedback. It is not easy to tell coworkers what they don’t want to hear without causing a rupture in your relations at the workplace.

However, Modern Leadership (visit website) focuses on this problem of managing criticism when you are at either end of its dispensation. Ultimately, mastering the art of precise communication and accurately uncovering crucial information, regardless of its implication, are the keys to becoming an effective leader in today’s world.

This leadership course on Skillshare will tap into this very pain point for ambitious leaders and teach them how to create a healthy feedback loop, understand the ways to receive honest and constructive feedback even from the most introverted coworkers, and also ways to give honest feedback that can make a difference.

Platform: Skillshare | Level: Beginners | Time: 30 minutes
Info: View course. $15/month for all courses. Get 30% off annual plan.

17. Doris Kearns Goodwin Teaches U.S. Presidential History and Leadership

Pulitzer-Prize winner Doris K. Goodwin (view class) imparts practical information on the formidable qualities that have been part of the American leaders. This online leadership course combines a close scrutiny of the US presidential history with the qualities of some of America’s most effective former leaders.

The class comprises a series of 15 lectures that touch on some important concepts explored in leadership studies. You will learn about the qualities that make a great leader and the role of a high EQ in leadership.

At the same time, the lessons will focus on the importance of forging a strong network and support group and the importance of relaxing and recharging before making key decisions and navigating a crisis. By the end, you will learn about delivering your message exactly how you intend to, create a leadership profile and hone the power of storytelling.

Instructor: Doris Kearns Goodwin | Suitable for: All levels
Price: from $15/month. Access to all 180+ online courses.
Info: View course page. | View pricing info and plans.

18. Howard Schultz Teaches Business Leadership – MasterClass

Business Leadership (view class) with Howard Schultz – former Starbucks CEO – is a popular leadership course on MasterClass. He shares the lessons derived from 40 years of experience leading one of the top businesses in the world. For MasterClass students, this class combines well with the other best leadership courses the platform offers.

Schultz’s story is an inspiring one of going rags to riches. He has now documented his journey of going from public housing to revolutionizing the culture of coffee drinking around the globe. His 90-minute class will shed light on value-based leadership and the mindset needed to become a successful entrepreneur.

Participants will begin the journey with a dive into how one must reconcile values and profits, why it’s better to disrupt than pioneer, and how to foster grit. In the latter half of the class, learn about finding the right investors, creating the right values-based team, and how you can lead instead of just managing.

Instructor: Howard Schultz | For: All levels
Price: from $10/month. Access to all 180+ online courses.
Info: View course page. | View pricing info and plans.

Tip: courselounge curates eLearning courses and resources. Here are some of our reviews listing the best Masterclass courses, Coursera courses, Mindvalley classes or Udacity nanodegrees and edX courses.

How to Choose the Best Leadership Courses Online

The overwhelming number of online leadership courses available can be a double-edged sword. While we love having more options, too many of them can make choosing the best course a bit daunting.

You must begin by taking into account your resources before jumping onto the leadership courses themselves. You may ask yourself the following questions:

• How much time do you have to invest in the training process? Additionally, are you looking for instant results or planning long-term?
• What’s your financial position? How much can you invest in this soft skill?
• What kind of change do you wish to inspire? Are you seeking change for an impoverished group or hoping to see results for an organization, a business firm, or yourself?
• What are your career goals? What type of leadership position do you want?

Answering these questions will help you with choosing the best leadership courses online. As you start researching, narrow your options to the few that satisfy your specific financial needs and goals. Take a small leap of faith and start your leadership journey.

Best Leadership Courses Online 2023 – Summary

Wrapping up our review of the best leadership courses online 2023. All the leadership training programs discussed above come with their trademark benefits and course specifications. While some are micro-courses spanning a few hours, others are extensive leadership development programs requiring months of investment.

The best leadership training programs from the list above will be the ones that impart the most practical and implementable knowledge and use the most approachable training tools and methodologies.

Popular Business Schools and Universities – Business Courses Online

• Leadership Training Program University of Pennsylvania, USA
• Harvard Leadership Program, Harvard Business School Business Degrees
• MIT Leadership Program,b MIT Sloan School of Management, USA
• Columbia Business School, USA
• Leadership Program, UC Berkeley Global, USA
• USC Marshall Business School, USA
• UC Davis Leadership Program, USA
• Kellogg School of Management Leadership Program
• UCL University Collge London, UK
• The University of Edinburgh, UK
• London School of Economics and Political Science, UK
• Cambridge Leadership Program University of Cambridge, UK
• Stanford Leadership Program, Stanford University, USA
• Oxford Leadership Programme, Oxford University, UK
• Henley Business School, UK
• Leadership Training University of Michigan, USA
• Northwestern University, USA
• Cornell University
• Coventry University, UK

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What are the best leadership courses online for 2023, in your opinion? Which leadership development programs have you taken? What have you learned? Please let us know in the comments below, or contact us via email for questions.

Sources: What is leadership? –1 | What is management? – 2 | What is strategy? – 3

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