This course is based on Tina Kuhn and Neal Frick's bestselling book, The E Suite. This course explores the transformative power of empathy in leadership, management, and innovation. Learn how empathy can enhance decision-making, foster inclusion, and drive organizational success in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Empathy-Driven Leadership and Innovation
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Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Enhance leadership with empathy
Build high-performance teams
Promote diversity and inclusion
Skills you'll gain
- Communication
- Emotional Intelligence
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Organizational Leadership
- Non-Verbal Communication
- Innovation
- Leadership
- Business Leadership
- Empathy
- Marketing Strategies
- Strategic Leadership
- Team Management
- Communication Strategies
- People Management
- Leadership and Management
- Interpersonal Communications
- Sales
- Business Transformation
- Team Performance Management
- Organizational Change
Details to know

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November 2025
12 assignments
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There are 12 modules in this course
In this section, we examine the significance of empathy-driven leadership in building strong organizations by focusing on people and their roles. We discuss how understanding cross-role contributions and fostering a people-oriented culture can enhance productivity, financial performance, and customer satisfaction.
What's included
2 videos1 reading1 assignment
In this section, we explore the essential elements of high-performance teams, emphasizing the importance of strong communication and empathetic leadership in diverse groups. We also discuss strategies for quick conflict resolution and analyze team dynamics to ensure shared responsibility and accountability.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
In this section, we explore how empathy enhances workplace diversity by fostering understanding and inclusion. We discuss designing HR policies to prevent discrimination and analyze biases to create a harmonious environment.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
In this section, we examine how management styles, such as autocratic and democratic, impact team dynamics and explore the integration of empathy to enhance leadership effectiveness. We focus on implementing empathetic techniques in various management approaches to foster inclusive and motivated teams, ultimately improving productivity and workplace harmony.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
In this section, we explore how empathetic leadership enhances team loyalty and drives innovation by addressing emotional needs, drawing insights from leaders like Nelson Mandela and Satya Nadella. We analyze historical examples of empathy in leadership and develop strategies to integrate empathy into business innovation, emphasizing its importance in today's tech-driven world.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
In this section, we explore the development of empathetic communication techniques to improve workplace interactions by analyzing nonverbal cues and adapting communication strategies to suit different personality types. Understanding these elements enhances productivity and morale by fostering stronger relationships and effective message delivery.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
In this section, we explore how to implement empathetic confrontation in team settings by focusing on unity and issue resolution. We also analyze personal stress reactions to enhance communication and develop strategies to defuse anger before engaging in difficult conversations.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
In this section, we explore empathetic management during organizational change and transformation, emphasizing trust-building strategies and understanding the distinct impacts of change versus transformation. This knowledge equips leaders to effectively guide their teams through disruptions, fostering resilience and collaboration.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
In this section, we explore how empathetic hiring strategies can attract diverse talent by fostering two-way discussions that build trust and engagement. We emphasize understanding candidate motivations to create a compassionate culture that aligns with organizational success.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment
In this section, we explore how implementing empathy in marketing campaigns can significantly enhance their success by aligning with customer values and emotions. We analyze successful advertisements to understand empathy's impact on audience engagement and brand loyalty, emphasizing the importance of understanding customers to avoid campaigns that fail due to insensitivity or misalignment with customer values.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
In this section, we explore the critical role of empathy in sales by understanding customer motivations and designing strategies that align with their needs. By analyzing customer perspectives, we enhance sales pitches, fostering genuine connections and tailored solutions that increase sales success.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
In this section, we explore how implementing empathy in leadership can enhance organizational success by improving customer engagement and employee productivity. We analyze strategies for empathetic leadership that reduce attrition and boost overall satisfaction.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 assignment
Instructor

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Status: Preview
Status: PreviewUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can preview the first video and view the syllabus before you enroll. You must purchase the course to access content not included in the preview.
If you decide to enroll in the course before the session start date, you will have access to all of the lecture videos and readings for the course. You’ll be able to submit assignments once the session starts.
Once you enroll and your session begins, you will have access to all videos and other resources, including reading items and the course discussion forum. You’ll be able to view and submit practice assessments, and complete required graded assignments to earn a grade and a Course Certificate.
More questions
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