Effective leadership today calls for a varied set of skills that transcend traditional management. Earning a Doctor of Leadership online prepares professionals who aspire to lead strategically and ethically with essential competencies for leadership in our complex global environment. Keep reading to explore how this advanced leadership degree empowers professionals to inspire positive change in their spheres of influence.
What is a Doctor of Leadership?
A Doctor of Leadership is a terminal degree that focuses on applied leadership. Professionals can earn their Doctor of Leadership online or in person.
The degree teaches practical knowledge and skills for effective leadership, typically in four key areas:
- Leadership Theory and Practice
- Systems Thinking and Cultural Competence
- Organizational Change
- Research Methods and Inquiry
The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership is one example of a Doctor of Leadership. Professionals pursuing it demonstrate their commitment to continuous learning and prepare to drive positive change.
Graduates of organizational leadership programs can advance their careers while making a meaningful impact in their organizations and industries. EdD careers span business, education, nonprofits, social work and public health.
Why Do Current and Aspiring Leaders Pursue a Doctor of Leadership?
Doctor of Leadership candidates have unique motivations for earning the degree. However, the desire for transformation is a common theme. They want to grow their leadership capabilities, careers and contributions to make a wider difference.
The reasons for pursuing a Doctor of Leadership online include:
- Advanced Leadership: Growing advanced skills for effective leadership, including engaging individual stakeholders and teams and fostering innovative organizational culture.
- Career Fulfillment: Gaining a new sense of fulfillment in an established career by evolving leadership competencies for new roles.
- Thought Leadership: Evolving one's voice and influence to elevate organizational success.
- Community Change: Learning the leadership skills to grow awareness of issues affecting individuals, families and societies.
Graduates of Doctor of Leadership programs are prepared with the knowledge, skills and ethical grounding to lead effectively and foster positive change.
What Skills Do You Develop in an Online Doctor of Leadership Program?
What you learn in a doctorate of leadership program varies, but generally, programs develop a broad range of skills for effective leadership and organizational success. They include leadership competencies, problem-solving, systems thinking, global and cultural awareness, change management and communication.
1. Leadership Competencies
Effective leadership is essential for motivating others to achieve organizational goals. According to Gallup research, the manager accounts for 70% of the variance between the highest and lowest engaged teams.
Leadership competence matters. Fortunately, there are many approaches to effective leadership. Varying organizational cultures, circumstances and challenges require different leadership styles. By understanding the various leadership styles, professionals can evolve and adapt for organizational success.
Courses in a Doctor of Leadership program delve into current and historical leadership theories and their practical application. Professionals discover the various leadership styles and strategies and learn to evaluate and implement them in multiple contexts.
2. Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is the ability to develop solutions to complex issues. It involves identifying problems and their root causes, analyzing information and identifying practical ways to overcome obstacles. Problem-solving is a critical skill for effective leadership because it catalyzes progress.
For example, leaders at the Project Management Institute (PMI) used problem-solving to launch a resource that addresses a market challenge. PMI learned that new project managers were seeking more reputable resources for career development. It collected feedback about this issue from members at PMI chapter events, which helped clarify the need and solution. Ultimately, PMI created a platform that allows users to understand their career options and how to achieve their goals.
Professionals develop problem-solving skills in Doctor of Leadership programs. Analyzing case studies and leadership scenarios builds analytical and critical thinking. They learn to think creatively and apply new perspectives and shift paradigms to achieve long-lasting transformation.
3. Systems Thinking
Systems thinking refers to understanding how individuals, groups, structures and processes interact and affect each other within organizations. It’s about understanding cause-and-effect relationships. Doctor of Leadership candidates learn systems theory, understanding how to view organizations as interconnected systems.
Consider hospital leaders creating a natural disaster preparedness plan. They must integrate staff roles, emergency teams, communication protocols and resource management for a seamless response that protects patient safety and operational continuity.
The holistic view leaders gain from systems thinking identifies challenges, creates effective strategies, uncovers the potential impacts of decisions and drives transformation. For example, systems thinking in healthcare can improve quality and safety for patients and healthcare systems.
4. Global and Cultural Awareness
In our globalized economy, effective leadership involves navigating cultural nuances to manage diverse teams and international partnerships.
Research shows that cultural differences can have a tremendous impact on teams. Differences in observable personal characteristics (i.e., age, gender and language) create less cohesion and more team conflict. Meanwhile, differences in where team members live (i.e., economic development and political systems) fuel creativity, decision-making and problem-solving.
Today’s leaders need a broad perspective and understanding of how to leverage cultural differences for organizational success. That is why Doctor of Leadership programs include courses on global leadership and intercultural communication. Candidates learn about cultural variances and strategies for transcending the complexities of communicating with diverse individuals, institutions and nations.
5. Change Management
Almost three-quarters of corporate transformations fail. Consider Blockbuster, which was slow to transition from physical video rentals to digital streaming. It even rejected several opportunities to buy Netflix. Failing to recognize changing consumer preferences, Blockbuster declared bankruptcy and closed most of its stores.
Timely, strategic change is necessary for organizations to thrive. That change is rooted in effective leadership. Effective change management requires a blend of strategic, interpersonal and technical skills.
That is precisely what Doctor of Leadership programs teach. Candidates learn to manage and implement change to help organizations evolve and stay competitive. The curriculum leverages hypothetical and real-world change management scenarios to explore theories and strategies, strategic planning and team-building.
6. Communication
In a recent Forbes Advisor survey of employed Americans, 40% of workers said poor communication lowers trust in leaders and colleagues. They also said poor communication negatively affects cross-functional collaboration, job satisfaction and productivity.
Strong communication skills are vital for effective leadership. They foster conflict resolution, problem-solving, idea sharing and task management.
Doctor of Leadership graduates have learned the skills to convey, receive and process information effectively in person and virtually, including:
- Verbal Communication: Speaking and tone of voice
- Non-verbal Communication: Using and interpreting body language, facial expressions and gestures
- Written Communication: Writing using various media
- Active Listening: Hearing and responding to what others are saying
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others
Doctor of Leadership programs develop these skills through presentations, digital media use, group discussions and written assignments.
Inspire Change in Your Workplace and Community with a Doctor of Leadership Online from Spalding University
Are you ready to earn your Doctor of Leadership online? Spalding University’s online EdD in Leadership will prepare you to lead more strategically and ethically, amplifying your influence to create sustainable change.
Spalding's online EdD in Leadership will allow you to graduate in under two years. Complete each accelerated course 100% online, one at a time, so you can earn your terminal degree while continuing to work full-time.
You will develop universally relevant leadership skills across four core competencies:
- Advanced Leadership Concepts in Practice: Evolve your leadership approach by analyzing traditional and modern theory and through personal development.
- Global and Cultural Perspectives: Develop a sophisticated awareness and understanding of cultural differences in local, national and global contexts to evolve your leadership practices.
- Organizational Innovation and Change: Use proven methods and systems thinking to facilitate innovation and influence organizational transformation.
- Research-Informed Decision-Making: Apply research-based best practices and methodologies to support impactful, data-driven decisions, as demonstrated in a final capstone project.
Spalding’s online EdD in Leadership is collaborative, interdisciplinary and globally conscious. You will connect with a diverse, cross-sectional cohort of professionals at a university with an outstanding reputation for quality education and a legacy of service. As a graduate, you will be prepared to serve others in various roles, organizations and disciplines, from the classroom to the boardroom.
Spalding supports you wherever you are in your leadership journey. Getting your EdD in leadership from Spalding can help you inspire change in your workplace and community. Connect with an enrollment advisor to get started.