Amy Newman is a Senior Lecturer of Management Communication at the School of Hotel Administration, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. She teaches courses in business writing, persuasive communication, organizational behavior, and corporate communication. Professor Newman is the author of “Business Communication: In Person, In Print, Online” (Cengage, 10e) and “Building Leadership Character” (Sage, 2018). Prior to joining Cornell, she was an adjunct instructor at Ithaca College, eCornell, and Milano, The New School for Management and Urban Policy in New York City. Professor Newman spent most of her career in corporate positions and external consulting roles. Internally, she held management positions in human resources and leadership development. As an external consultant, she worked to improve employee performance and communication in hospitality, technology, education, publishing, financial services, and entertainment companies. Professor Newman has won grants to develop technology-based learning solutions as well as awards for teaching excellence and student advising. She is a director-at-large of the Association for Business Communication.
Overview and Courses
What is a leader? We often think of a leader as someone who is in charge of people, products, or processes. But what about the person on the team who everyone looks to when the boss is gone or when advice is needed? That person is a leader too.
Leaders can have formal power or responsibilities, or they can simply be a person of influence. Regardless of role, research indicates that effective, successful leaders are those with strong character and the ability to lead with courage, humility, and compassion. Fortunately, character is not something we are just “born with.” Character is something that can be developed over time. In this program, you will have the opportunity to explore seven dimensions of leadership that are associated with strong character through case studies and examples. You will also complete self-reflection exercises, assessments, and activities to initiate and continue the work of developing these character dimensions.
In addition to developing your leadership character, this certificate provides you with skills needed to enhance your credibility as a leader and consider the power of both perception and experience as you build a culture of service leadership.
Ultimately, you will take the first steps on a lifetime journey of developing the character that will enable you to be the best leader you can be.
This program includes a year of free access to Symposium! These events feature several days of live, highly participatory virtual Zoom sessions with Cornell faculty and experts to explore the most pressing leadership topics. Symposium events are held several times throughout the year. Once enrolled in your program, you will receive information about upcoming events.
Throughout the year, you may participate in as many sessions as you wish. Attending Symposium sessions is not required to successfully complete the certificate program.
NOTE: This program includes a copy of Amy Newman's ebook, Building Leadership Character (California: Sage, 2019). You will receive instructions about how to access the ebook when you join the course. If you prefer to purchase a hard copy of the book we suggest you do so before the start of the course. The book is available for purchase online or at other retailers.
The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear.Course list
Leaders make the headlines on a regular basis – for their successes and their gaffes. After a particularly awful decision makes the news, do you ever wonder how that person could make such a dumb mistake? Mistakes and successes don't happen in a vacuum. They are generally a culmination of decisions and actions the leader makes. But where do those decisions come from? Almost always, the leader's character plays a role in decision-making and communications.
In this course, you will take the first steps on a lifetime journey of developing the character that will enable you to be the leader you envision.
- Jan 15, 2025
- Mar 12, 2025
- May 7, 2025
- Jul 2, 2025
- Aug 27, 2025
- Oct 22, 2025
- Dec 17, 2025
Trust is an essential element in character and how you are perceived by others. The character dimensions authenticity, integrity, and accountability are intertwined with your ability to build trusting relationships. In this course, we will discuss how to develop these character dimensions which will, in turn, help you build trusting relationships and become an effective leader.
The following course is required to be completed before taking this course:
- Building Leadership Character
- Dec 18, 2024
- Jan 29, 2025
- Mar 26, 2025
- May 21, 2025
- Jul 16, 2025
- Sep 10, 2025
- Nov 5, 2025
- Dec 31, 2025
Strong leaders are self-confident. They know and are comfortable with themselves and have an appropriate understanding of their knowledge and skills. Strong leaders' confidence and character inspire others to follow the leaders and to reach beyond themselves.
In this course, you will work to develop the three character dimensions of courage, humility, and compassion. On the surface, these dimensions may seem contradictory (humility and courage?). However, through the following lessons, you will see how developing resilience for courage, willfulness for humility, and strength for compassion work together to create a leader of strong character.
The following course is required to be completed before taking this course:
- Building Leadership Character
- Dec 18, 2024
- Jan 1, 2025
- Feb 12, 2025
- Apr 9, 2025
- Jun 4, 2025
- Jul 30, 2025
- Sep 24, 2025
- Nov 19, 2025
- Jan 15, 2025
- Feb 5, 2025
- Mar 5, 2025
- Apr 16, 2025
- May 28, 2025
- Jul 9, 2025
- Aug 20, 2025
- Oct 1, 2025
- Nov 12, 2025
- Dec 24, 2025
Managers who are seen practicing what they preach and following through on promises enjoy dramatically enhanced credibility and loyalty. They inspire workers to perform well and even to go beyond what is asked of them. Credibility is not all it takes to be successful, but no trust or meaningful relationship with those you manage can happen without it.
This course, developed by Professor Tony Simons, Ph.D. of Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, focuses on this critical element of leadership, and helps students develop the awareness, skills and habits necessary for mastering it.
- Dec 18, 2024
- Jan 1, 2025
- Jan 15, 2025
- Jan 29, 2025
- Feb 12, 2025
- Feb 26, 2025
- Mar 12, 2025
- Mar 26, 2025
- Apr 9, 2025
- Apr 23, 2025
- May 7, 2025
- May 21, 2025
- Jun 4, 2025
- Jun 18, 2025
- Jul 2, 2025
- Jul 16, 2025
- Jul 30, 2025
- Aug 13, 2025
- Aug 27, 2025
- Sep 10, 2025
- Sep 24, 2025
- Oct 8, 2025
- Oct 22, 2025
- Nov 5, 2025
- Nov 19, 2025
- Dec 3, 2025
- Dec 17, 2025
- Dec 31, 2025
- Jan 14, 2026
- Jan 28, 2026
- Feb 11, 2026
- Feb 25, 2026
- Mar 11, 2026
- Mar 25, 2026
- Apr 8, 2026
- Apr 22, 2026
- May 6, 2026
- May 20, 2026
- Jun 3, 2026
- Jun 17, 2026
Symposium sessions feature three days of live, highly interactive virtual Zoom sessions that will explore today’s most pressing topics. The Leadership Symposium offers you a unique opportunity to engage in real-time conversations with peers and experts from the Cornell community and beyond. Using the context of your own experiences, you will take part in reflections and small-group discussions to build on the skills and knowledge you have gained from your courses.
Join us for the next Symposium in which we’ll discuss the ways that leaders across industries have continued engaging their teams over the past two years while pivoting in strategic ways. You will support your coursework by applying your knowledge and experiences to relevant topics for leaders. Throughout this Symposium, you will examine different areas of leadership, including innovation, strategy, and engagement. By participating in relevant and engaging discussions, you will discover a variety of perspectives and build connections with your fellow participants from various industries.
Upcoming Symposium: February 11, 12 and 13, 2025 from 11am – 1pm ET
- Tuesday, February 11, 2025 11am – 1pm ET
- Wednesday, February 12, 2025 11am – 1pm ET
- Thursday, February 13, 2025 11am – 1pm ET
All sessions are held on Zoom.
Future dates are subject to change. You may participate in as many sessions as you wish. Attending Symposium sessions is not required to successfully complete any certificate program. Once enrolled in your courses, you will receive information about upcoming events. Accessibility accommodations will be available upon request.
How It Works
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Faculty Authors
Judi Brownell is Professor Emeritus at the Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University, where she has served as Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and Director of Graduate Studies. Dr. Brownell teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in listening, leadership, communication, and organizational behavior, and her online programs are taken worldwide. Her current research interests include identifying key competencies associated with leadership effectiveness, managerial listening behavior, and enhancing service quality.
Dr. Brownell has published nearly 100 articles in professional journals and written numerous other publications. Her textbooks include “The Listening Advantage”; “Organizational Behavior for the Hospitality Industry” (with Florence Berger); “Organizational Communication and Behavior” (with Allan Frank); and “Listening: Attitudes, Principles, and Skills,” now in its seventh edition. A past president of the International Listening Association and the recipient of listening research awards, Dr. Brownell has been inducted into the International Listening Association’s Hall of Fame.
Professor Tony Simons teaches organizational behavior, negotiation, and leadership at the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration. His research examines trust: employee trust in leaders, executive team member trust, and trust in supply chain relationships. Professor Simons’s research has focused on how well people are seen as keeping their word by delivering on their promises and living espoused values. This simple perception has huge practical consequences and is challenging to maintain impeccably. Professor Simons’s research and consulting work supports managers in meeting this challenge. He speaks, trains, consults, and designs surveys for organizations both within and beyond the hospitality industry.
Amy Newman is a Senior Lecturer of Management Communication at the School of Hotel Administration, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. She teaches courses in business writing, persuasive communication, organizational behavior, and corporate communication. Professor Newman is the author of “Business Communication: In Person, In Print, Online” (Cengage, 10e) and “Building Leadership Character” (Sage, 2018). Prior to joining Cornell, she was an adjunct instructor at Ithaca College, eCornell, and Milano, The New School for Management and Urban Policy in New York City. Professor Newman spent most of her career in corporate positions and external consulting roles. Internally, she held management positions in human resources and leadership development. As an external consultant, she worked to improve employee performance and communication in hospitality, technology, education, publishing, financial services, and entertainment companies. Professor Newman has won grants to develop technology-based learning solutions as well as awards for teaching excellence and student advising. She is a director-at-large of the Association for Business Communication.
Judi Brownell is Professor Emeritus at the Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University, where she has served as Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and Director of Graduate Studies. Dr. Brownell teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in listening, leadership, communication, and organizational behavior, and her online programs are taken worldwide. Her current research interests include identifying key competencies associated with leadership effectiveness, managerial listening behavior, and enhancing service quality.
Dr. Brownell has published nearly 100 articles in professional journals and written numerous other publications. Her textbooks include “The Listening Advantage”; “Organizational Behavior for the Hospitality Industry” (with Florence Berger); “Organizational Communication and Behavior” (with Allan Frank); and “Listening: Attitudes, Principles, and Skills,” now in its seventh edition. A past president of the International Listening Association and the recipient of listening research awards, Dr. Brownell has been inducted into the International Listening Association’s Hall of Fame.
Professor Tony Simons teaches organizational behavior, negotiation, and leadership at the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration. His research examines trust: employee trust in leaders, executive team member trust, and trust in supply chain relationships. Professor Simons’s research has focused on how well people are seen as keeping their word by delivering on their promises and living espoused values. This simple perception has huge practical consequences and is challenging to maintain impeccably. Professor Simons’s research and consulting work supports managers in meeting this challenge. He speaks, trains, consults, and designs surveys for organizations both within and beyond the hospitality industry.
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Key Course Takeaways
- Practice honest self-reflection to develop your leadership character
- Develop trusting relationships through authenticity, integrity, and accountability
- Improve interpersonal confidence by demonstrating courage, humility, and compassion
- Implement performance management practices that reinforce service leadership
- Develop and practice the communication skills to manage your own credibility and foster the same in others
JOIN A LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM!
Download a Brochure
Not ready to enroll but want to learn more? Download the certificate brochure to review program details.
What You'll Earn
- Servant Leadership Certificate from Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
- 50 Professional Development Hours (5 CEUs)
- 10 Professional Development Units (PDUs) toward PMI recertification
- 40 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification
- 40 Credit hours towards HRCI recertification
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Who Should Enroll
- Informal or formal leaders at any level in an organization
- Religious and faith-based leaders
- Humanitarian, non-profit, and NGO leaders
- Anyone who is part of a work team and can influence others
“eCornell puts you in control of your education entrepreneurship. It allows you to choose what you need to learn and how you need to learn it at the right time.”
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Servant Leadership
| Select Payment Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| $3,750 | |