Becoming a Democratic Leader

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

In this leadership class, you will learn how to be a more effective, authentic, and inspiring democratic leader. You will learn how to relate to power, build trust, clarify your purpose, use storytelling for leadership, expand your influence, lead an effective team, read the room (group dynamics), and face your fears to grow as a person and as a leader. This dynamic class is designed for action-learning - workshop style, exercises, simulations (Zombie Apocalypse simulation), and practical assignments. Throughout the class, students will work in teams of 4-5 people, with the opportunity to organize their own events or actions on campus, with the support of the professor. This is a chance for creation & innovation, meaningful impact, exposure, and learning in action. As an activist & practitioner himself, Professor Ilic will use his expense from working with high-level leaders, various organizations, social movements, and campaigns to enhance learning and invite inspiring, proven leaders such as Leopoldo Lopez, Masih Alinejad, JiangLi Yang, and more. The class is anchored in practical, well-researched, and battle-tested frameworks such as Adaptive Leadership, Systems Thinking. Community Organizing, Adult Development & Democratic Leadership. The class has a reasonable workload and is more focused on applying learnings in real life immediately.