Organizational Leadership Information & FAQ

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While earning an organizational leadership degree, you’ll focus on learning how to promote a company’s best interests while simultaneously serving the best interests of its employees. An organizational leadership degree could be good for you to consider if you have a desire to lead a small team, department, or even a whole company. Those who earn a degree in organizational leadership will work on sharpening skills in five key areas: Leadership, Ethics, Communication, Strength, and Worldview.

What types of classes are associated with earning an organizational leadership degree?

The organizational leadership training curriculum for every college and online school will vary, but courses may include study in:

  • Principles of management: Develop an understanding of management in any formal organization, with an emphasis on planning and organization.
  • Managing organization: Working in teams to understand TQM (Total Quality Management), an integral part of effective human resources management.
  • Leadership in work settings: Explore the science and principles of leadership, specifically in a work setting.
  • Organizational behavior: Study what influences behavior, group dynamics, and culture in organizations.
  • Conflict resolution/negotiation: Develop an understanding of conflict, negotiation, and resolution with third-party intervention.

If I’m interested in leadership roles and organizational job training, what type of degree should I try to earn?

To motivate you, take note that the Bureau of Labor Statistics released news in 2014 that stated that people with bachelor’s degrees experience lower unemployment rates than those with just a high school education.[1] An undergraduate degree in organizational leadership is typically available as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). A Master of Science (M.S.) or Master of Arts degree (M.A.) may further increase earning potential and may prepare you for the challenges faced by someone in a leadership position.

Sometimes, Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programs will offer a concentration in organizational leadership, which may be geared towards a more specific career.

What are some different leadership roles?

Not all positions in business require leadership responsibilities but for those that do, organizational leadership training may be very beneficial. If you’re interested in pursuing organizational leadership training, the kind of qualities you may learn and develop are:

  • Leadership
  • Passion
  • Organization
  • Ability to delegate
  • Ownership
  • Responsibility
  • Communicating effectively
  • Motivation of self and others
  • Fairness

The following roles may be well suited for an individual who has strong leadership skills and who can teach leadership to others:

  • Business administration
  • Human Resources
  • Non-profit management
  • Politics
  • Public policy
  • Sales

What are some leadership job titles?

Leadership job titles vary from business to business and from industry to industry and there may not be a typical organizational leadership job description. Some job descriptions that list a need for the type of qualities you may learn in organizational leadership training are:

  • Human Resources Manager
  • Department Manager
  • Project Manager
  • Communications Manager
  • Social and Community Service Manager
  • Training and Development Manager
  • Medical and Health Services Manager
  • Postsecondary Education Administrator
  • Sales Manager

How much could I earn?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, property managers in 2012 earned a reported annual median wage of  $52,610[2] while top executives earned an annual median wage of  $101,650[3] per year.  These figures are based on a national data and may vary by company and region.

How do I pursue a career as a business manager?

The path to becoming a business manager is unique to every company, but having organizational leadership training may be a way to become a desirable candidate for a managing position. Taking the courses associated with earning a degree in organizational leadership may help you develop several of the qualities, such as decision-making, coaching and leadership skills, that are necessary for most management roles.


[1] bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t04.htm  [2] bls.gov/ooh/management/property-real-estate-and-community-association-managers.htm  [3] bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm