Performance and Motivation at Work from edX

High performing employees is one of the most important contributors to successful organizations. But how can high performance be supported? In this course we will cover topics relating to managing for high performance, including motivating employees through goal setting and coaching, measuring performance accurately and fairly, and developing performance to support organizational goals.

We will start by defining performance. Students will be able to describe what performance is and key factors contributing to high performance.

We will then move on to exploring how employees can be motivated to perform – one of the cornerstones of high performance described in our first section. Students will learn about some key models of motivation and how these can be used to motivate employees. Students will be able to describe important factors for a motivating work environment.

Our next section will look at the key features of a good performance management system. Students will be able to describe what factors need to be in place, beyond motivation, and how organizations can design systems and processes to support performance. Students will also learn about the importance of leadership factors such as ongoing provision of feedback and coaching.

Then we will look at performance measurement. Students will be able to describe different approaches, such as measuring results and behavior, and they will be able to describe how criteria and standards are formulated to capture performance. They will also learn about the importance of accuracy (validity) and fairness in performance ratings.

The last section will focus on some recent developments and challenges to performance management. Students will learn about some of the ongoing debates in this area and get an idea of what some have suggested is the future of high performance in organizations.

What's inside

Learning objectives

What performance is
Models of motivation
How leadership, coaching, job design, and rewards support performance

How to measure different aspects of performance
Planning a performance management system

What performance is
Models of motivation
How leadership, coaching, job design, and rewards support performance
How to measure different aspects of performance
Planning a performance management system

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills and knowledge that are highly relevant in industry

Examines specific performance management topics that are highly relevant to general management practices

Explores models of motivation, which are core concepts in business management

Covers measuring performance, which is a critical element of the management of high performing employees

Offers a solid foundation for developing a comprehensive performance management system

May require students to seek out additional resources about the course concepts given the breadth of the subject and the course's brevity

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Performance and Motivation at Work with these activities:

Explore online tutorials on performance management

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Seek out and follow online tutorials to enhance your knowledge of performance management.

Browse courses on Performance Management

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Identify reputable sources and tutorials
Review and summarize key concepts
Apply your learnings to practical situations

Review 'High Performance Management'

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Review the book 'High Performance Management' to gain insights and best practices for effective performance management.

View The Boundaryless Organization: Breaking the... on Amazon

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Read and summarize key chapters
Identify and apply relevant concepts to your own work

Develop a performance management system

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Start a project aimed at developing a performance management system to reinforce your knowledge of its key components.

Browse courses on Performance Management

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Research and identify best practices
Design a system that aligns with organizational goals
Implement and monitor the system
Evaluate and make adjustments as needed

Four other activities

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Practice setting goals and providing feedback

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Practice setting goals and providing feedback to employees to improve your skills in managing performance.

Browse courses on Goal Setting

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Identify specific goals and objectives
Develop clear and measurable metrics
Provide timely and constructive feedback
Adjust goals and feedback as needed

Participate in peer discussions on performance management

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Engage in peer discussions on performance management to gain diverse perspectives and share knowledge.

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Identify peer groups or online forums
Initiate or participate in discussions
Share experiences, case studies, and best practices

Create a presentation on motivating employees

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Create a presentation on motivating employees to enhance your understanding of different models and strategies.

Browse courses on Motivation

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Research and identify key theories and models
Develop a presentation that outlines the theories and their applications
Present your findings and engage in discussion

Design a performance appraisal system

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Create a performance appraisal system that includes clear criteria, standards, and processes.

Browse courses on Performance Management

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Identify the purpose and objectives of the system
Develop criteria and standards that align with organizational goals
Design a process for conducting appraisals
Pilot and refine the system based on feedback

Career center

Learners who complete Performance and Motivation at Work will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Performance Consultant

Performance Consultants work with organizations to improve employee performance. This course would be helpful for aspiring Performance Consultants because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Performance Consultants need to be able to diagnose performance problems, develop and implement performance improvement plans, and evaluate the effectiveness of these plans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Performance Consultant

Performance Improvement Specialist

Performance Improvement Specialists work with organizations to improve employee performance. This course would be helpful for aspiring Performance Improvement Specialists because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Performance Improvement Specialists need to be able to diagnose performance problems, develop and implement performance improvement plans, and evaluate the effectiveness of these plans.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with organizations to improve their performance. This course would be helpful for aspiring Business Analysts because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Business Analysts need to be able to understand the factors that influence organizational performance and develop recommendations for improvement.

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Organizational Development Manager

An Organizational Development Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of organizational change initiatives. This course would be useful for aspiring Organizational Development Managers because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Organizational Development Managers need to be able to manage and motivate employees, set and achieve goals, and ensure that the company's change initiatives are successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Manager

Management Consultant

Management Consultants work with organizations to improve their performance. This course would be helpful for aspiring Management Consultants because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Management Consultants need to be able to diagnose organizational problems, develop and implement improvement plans, and evaluate the effectiveness of these plans.

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Operations Manager

An Operations Manager ensures that a company's operations run smoothly and efficiently. This course would be particularly useful for aspiring Operations Managers because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Operations Managers need to be able to manage and motivate employees, set and achieve goals, and ensure that the company's operations are efficient and effective.

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Training and Development Manager

A Training and Development Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of training programs for a company's employees. This course would be helpful for aspiring Training and Development Managers because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Training and Development Managers need to be able to manage and motivate employees, set and achieve goals, and ensure that the company's training programs are effective.

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Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists study the behavior of employees in the workplace. This course would be helpful for aspiring Industrial-Organizational Psychologists because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Industrial-Organizational Psychologists need to be able to understand the factors that influence employee performance and develop interventions to improve performance.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make better decisions. This course would be helpful for aspiring Data Analysts because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Data Analysts need to be able to understand the factors that influence organizational performance and develop recommendations for improvement.

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Actuary

Actuaries collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make better decisions about risk. This course would be helpful for aspiring Actuaries because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Actuaries need to be able to understand the factors that influence risk and develop recommendations for managing risk.

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Economist

Economists collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations understand the economy and make better decisions. This course would be helpful for aspiring Economists because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Economists need to be able to understand the factors that influence the economy and develop recommendations for improving economic performance.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations understand their customers and make better decisions. This course would be helpful for aspiring Market Researchers because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Market Researchers need to be able to understand the factors that influence consumer behavior and develop recommendations for improvement.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make better decisions. This course would be helpful for aspiring Financial Analysts because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Financial Analysts need to be able to understand the factors that influence financial performance and develop recommendations for improvement.

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Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make better decisions. This course would be helpful for aspiring Statisticians because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and goal setting. These topics are essential for success in this role, as Statisticians need to be able to understand the factors that influence organizational performance and develop recommendations for improvement.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee the human resources department of a company. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including recruiting, hiring, training, and developing employees. This course would be helpful for aspiring Human Resources Managers because it covers topics such as performance management, motivation, and employee development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager