Overview

In today’s fast-paced and complex workplaces, successful leaders need more than instincts: they need structure, clarity, and the ability to think critically under pressure. In this course, you’ll step into the role of a leader at a fictional company, Solvex, and learn how to diagnose problems, prioritise effectively, and develop evidence-informed recommendations using structured tools and responsible AI support. You’ll practise using frameworks like SWOT, 5 Whys, the Fishbone Diagram, and the Importance-Urgency Matrix to uncover root causes and map strategic responses. Along the way, you’ll learn how to integrate AI tools to accelerate your thinking, not replace it, while reflecting on the risks, limitations, and best practices of AI-assisted leadership work. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to: · Diagnose complex workplace challenges using structured analysis · Generate, evaluate, and justify strategic solutions · Use AI tools critically and ethically as a leadership support partner

Syllabus

Module 1: Your challenge begins

In this module, you’ll step into your new leadership role at Solvex, a fictional company facing complexity, unclear expectations, and high strategic stakes. You’ll explore a workplace scenario that mirrors real leadership challenges and begin building a structured, AI-supported approach to problem solving. By the end, you’ll understand your role, your challenge, and how to set yourself up for success in the journey ahead.

Module 2: Diagnosing the situation

Strong leadership begins with clarity, not just about what’s happening, but why. In this module, you’ll learn how to gather, interpret, and evaluate information in complex environments. You’ll explore how to surface useful insights from a range of sources, use systems thinking to understand deeper patterns, and apply structured tools like SWOT analysis to make sense of ambiguity. Along the way, you’ll learn how to use AI tools as strategic thinking partners without compromising data security or critical judgement.

Module 3: Analyse and prioritise

In complex organisations, problems often have hidden causes and even when those causes are clear, deciding what to tackle first isn’t always straightforward. This module helps you move from vague problem descriptions to structured thinking and decisive leadership. You’ll learn how to use root cause analysis tools like the 5 Whys and the Fishbone Diagram to diagnose what's really going on. Then, you'll explore how to prioritise effectively using the Importance-Urgency Matrix. Finally, you’ll see how AI tools can support your thinking, help surface blind spots, and enhance your productivity, if you guide them with clarity and purpose. This module is about sharpening your analysis, thinking strategically, and choosing what matters most.

Module 4: Problem-solving with AI

In this module, you will move from analysis to action. You’ve diagnosed the root causes of a business challenge, now it’s time to generate, evaluate, and justify solutions. You’ll learn how to use AI tools not just for ideation, but as strategic partners that sharpen your thinking and help you craft high-impact recommendations. Through real-world practice, reflection, and interactive activities, you’ll develop the confidence to not only propose solutions but to back them up with evidence, logic, and leadership clarity.