Strategic Leadership: Influence & Thought Leadership

Strategic Leadership: Influence & Thought Leadership

Instructor: Martine Abboud

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

8 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

8 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Define your strategic leadership positioning by clarifying your identity, context, and high-value market gaps.
Increase your influence using proven techniques (network mapping, framing, credibility, and meaning-making).
Build sustainable thought leadership through intentional content, global networking, and ethical monetization models.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 4 modules in this course

Strategic leadership today is not only about making decisions it’s about positioning, influence, and the ability to shape ideas that others trust and follow.

In CREO Strategic Leadership: Influence & Thought Leadership course, you will learn how to define a clear leadership lane, build credibility, and expand your impact through strategic communication, networks, and thought leadership. You’ll start by strengthening your strategic positioning: clarifying your core leadership identity, reading your context, spotting high-value market gaps, and aligning opportunities with your long-term vision. Next, you’ll develop high-level influence techniques used by senior leaders mapping influence networks, using strong framing, building legitimacy through consistency, and leading meaning-making in uncertain or crisis moments. You will then build an innovative content strategy that translates your thinking into content that resonates: connecting content to identity, publishing with intention, using digital awareness frameworks, and measuring impact beyond vanity metrics. Finally, you’ll scale your leadership presence globally by navigating cross-border relationships, building intellectual partnerships, and exploring sustainable monetization models that protect trust and align with long-term impact and sustainability. By the end of the course, you’ll have a practical set of frameworks and tools to craft your leadership positioning, communicate with influence, build a consistent thought leadership presence, and grow your network and opportunities in a sustainable way.

In this module, you will build a clear strategic position as a leader by understanding what you stand for, what your audience needs, and where the market has unmet demand. You’ll move from self-awareness to context awareness, then learn how to spot high value gaps and align them with your long-term vision. Using a practical positioning framework, you’ll translate insights into a focused leadership that differentiates you and creates opportunities for influence and growth.

What's included

7 plugins

In this module, you’ll learn how senior leaders build influence without relying on authority. You will map influence networks, shape how people interpret your message through strong framing, and build credibility through consistency and clear expertise. You’ll also learn how to create meaning in uncertain or crisis moments, using a practical coherence framework that helps others trust your direction.

What's included

6 plugins

In this module, you’ll learn how leaders use content to build trust, shape narratives, and expand influence without losing authenticity. You’ll connect content to your leadership identity, choose what to publish intentionally, and measure impact beyond vanity metrics. You’ll also use digital awareness systems and a practical “meaning bridge” cycle to turn insights into content that resonates with the right audience and supports your strategic positioning.

What's included

5 plugins

In this module, you’ll expand your leadership influence beyond local contexts by building a credible global presence and a culturally aware voice. You’ll learn how to form high-trust partnerships, develop cross-border networks, and navigate the “intellectual economy” where ideas, expertise, and reputation create real value. You’ll also explore how to grow influence sustainably aligning your work with long-term impact, planetary awareness, and ethical monetization models. Through frameworks, examples, and case studies, you’ll leave with a practical approach to scaling thought leadership while staying consistent with your values.

What's included

1 assignment7 plugins

1 assignment Total 15 minutes

Final Course Assignment 15 minutes

7 plugins Total 140 minutes

Global Presence and Conscious Cultural Identity 20 minutes
Intellectual Partnerships and Cross-Border Networks 20 minutes
Intellectual Economy and Models of Sustainability 20 minutes
Planetary Awareness and Sustainable Leadership 20 minutes
The Axes of Sustainable Thought Expansion Framework 20 minutes
Case Study - The Proposal That Was Never Signed 20 minutes
Illustrative Journeys of Thought Leaders 20 minutes

Instructor

Martine Abboud

Creo Incubator

27 Courses 2,823 learners

Offered by

Creo Incubator

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Learn more

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Explore degrees

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.