Power Skills for Career Growth

Purpose, Perspective, and Persuasion

Overview

Purpose, Perspective, and Persuasion helps you take charge of your career by defining what you want, refining how you see your work, and learning to communicate in a way that moves others. It's a short, practical course built around three ideas (being purposeful, unlocking your potential and navigating difficult situations) that together help you shape a future aligned with your goals.

This is an official Harvard Online course, featuring faculty from Harvard Law School and delivered on Harvard Online's learning platform. It is part of the Power Skills for Career Growth series, which pairs Harvard faculty with well-known guests. IPMC International handles your registration, payment and local support, then enrols you on the course. The format is self-guided and on demand, so you can start whenever suits you.

Length2.5 hours
CommitmentOn-demand, self-paced
FormatSelf-guided online
Faculty fromHarvard Law School

What you'll learn

The course builds three connected sets of skills:

  • Professional growth and goal-setting: define your professional goals and create a short- and long-term plan for getting there.
  • Personal leadership and initiative: take greater ownership of your work, bring solutions rather than problems, and handle difficult situations with grace.
  • Communication and influence: harness the power of persuasion, understand your audience and communicate more effectively.

Course syllabus

The course is taught by Professor Jody Freeman in conversation with Emmy-winning comedian, actor and producer Amy Poehler, across three short sections. There are no prerequisites.

Being Purposeful About Your Career

Manage career uncertainty by balancing the urgency to seize opportunities with the resilience to recover from setbacks. Identify what makes a "good day" at work and move from an abstract career vision to concrete, progress-driven steps.

Unlocking Your Career Potential

Master your role by adopting a "we" over "I" mindset, staying a constant learner, proposing solutions and stepping into leadership. Understand that leadership shows up in practical habits: building consensus, modelling accountability and keeping your integrity.

Navigating Difficult Situations

Use de-escalation techniques to address workplace slights or errors while letting others save face and preserving long-term relationships. Read the context and your own interests to choose the most effective course of action in a conflict.

Faculty

Jody Freeman: Your instructor. The Archibald Cox Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and a leading expert in administrative and environmental law. She served as Counselor for Energy and Climate Change at the White House in 2009–2010 and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The course also features insights from Amy Poehler, the award-winning comedian, actor, producer and director, who shares her own experiences of purpose, perspective and persuasion. Affiliations are listed for identification purposes only.

Who it's for

This is an introductory course focused on foundational career skills, well suited to early-career professionals and anyone wanting to shape their working life with more purpose and influence. It's ideal for professionals, graduates and organisations who want a globally recognised Harvard Online credential to advance their careers or capabilities.

Your certificate

The course includes a microcredential recognising your completion of the material. Within the Power Skills for Career Growth series, a full Certificate of Completion from Harvard Online is earned by finishing any five of the seven courses in the series.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost through IPMC?

The course fee is confirmed on enquiry and put in writing before payment.

How do I pay?

Pay IPMC securely by debit/credit card in UAE Dirhams (UAE) or by UPI, card or net banking in Indian Rupees (India).

Is the certificate really from Harvard Online?

Yes. The course is delivered by Harvard Online and includes a microcredential recognising completion. A full series Certificate of Completion is issued by Harvard Online once you finish five of the seven Power Skills for Career Growth courses.

How long do I have access?

This course is on demand, and you have 90 days from enrolment to complete the material.

Will I interact with Amy Poehler?

No. The guest segments are pre-recorded to share perspectives on the course topics; there are no live sessions.

When does it start?

This is a self-paced Harvard Online course, so you can start anytime and learn at your own pace. Enquire and we'll get you enrolled.

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