Instructors:Â John Thomas and Seth Murray
Suggested prior knowledge: None
Prerequisites: None
Semester(s) Offered: See course list
Course Description
‘Leadership and Professional Skills’ offers a transformative journey that equips students with the essential knowledge and skills needed for effective leadership. The curriculum prioritizes personal development and self-awareness as foundational to leading oneself, providing students with a pathway to leading other people, teams, and organizations.
Throughout the course, students critically examine and explore a wide range of leadership topics, including work behavior psychology, interpersonal relations, communication, moral maturity, stress management, leadership styles, value systems, ethics, and problem-solving techniques. The course includes the increasingly important role of diversity and cross-cultural dimensions in the modern workplace. By emphasizing a holistic perspective, the course fosters both individual and group development with vital practices like authentic communication, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness.
Besides weekly assignments and a semester project, students engage in class and group discussions, activities, and presentations. By the end of the course, students gain a better understanding of leadership and the practical skills applicable to their personal and professional lives. The course empowers students with the ability to achieve their goals and objectives and to drive purposeful change for a greater common good. The knowledge and skills gained can be applied to projects of any size, in any industry, sector or geography.
Skills and Knowledge GainedÂ
Why should you take this course?Â
Gain the knowledge, skills, and practices foundational to effective leadership.
*Note: This page is periodically updated. For the most up-to-date course information for the current term, log into the Buff Portal or go to the Course Search (for those without 
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John Thomas
Dr. Thomas has 30+ years of professional experience including 20+ years in Silicon Valley and four technology startups.
BSEE—UC Santa Barbara, MSEE—Georgia Tech
MBA—Santa Clara University
Ph.D. in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering from Arizona State University.