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Michael Bednar and E. Geoffrey Love

This course is intended to help you become a better manager by helping you more fully understand and deal with the complexities and challenges associated with managerial life in organizations. You will learn theories, principles, and frameworks that will help you more effectively manage and lead your organizations.

You will be able to:

- Analyze common managerial challenges and develop solutions to these challenges

- Use power effectively and strategically to implement organizational change

- Understand the foundations of organizational culture and decision-making

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This course is intended to help you become a better manager by helping you more fully understand and deal with the complexities and challenges associated with managerial life in organizations. You will learn theories, principles, and frameworks that will help you more effectively manage and lead your organizations.

You will be able to:

- Analyze common managerial challenges and develop solutions to these challenges

- Use power effectively and strategically to implement organizational change

- Understand the foundations of organizational culture and decision-making

- Navigate common decision-making pitfalls and ethical challenges

- Apply principles of organization management to common challenges of management

This course is part of Gies College of Business’ suite of online programs, including the iMBA and iMSM. Learn more about admission into these programs and explore how your Coursera work can be leveraged if accepted into a degree program at https://degrees.giesbusiness.illinois.edu/idegrees/.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.
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MODULE 1: POWER AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE
This module will introduce you to principles of power so that you can recognize where power comes from and use you power more effectively as a manager.  This module will also explore models of organizational change and best practices that can help you successfully implement a change initiative.  
MODULE 2: MANAGING ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
This module will explore the concept of organizational culture and will help you to understand where it comes from and how you can manage and shape culture in your organization.  
MODULE 3: DECISION-MAKING AND ETHICS
This module will introduce different types of decision-making processes and will highlight some common decision-making biases that can affect managers, including a number of ethical decision-making traps.  
MODULE 4: LEADERSHIP IN ORGANIZATIONS
This module will highlight several perspectives on organizational leadership and will use a leadership lens to review key principles that have been discussed in the course.  

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Informs managers about some common challenges and their solutions
Equipping managers to sharpen their skills in using power strategically
Familiarizes managers with organizational culture in the context of management
Emphasizes decision-making ethics, considering the variety of decision-making methods
Taught by recognized instructors, Michael Bednar and E. Geoffrey Love
Presents leadership in terms of organizational structure, using prior modules as stepping stones

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Reviews summary

Helpful for organizations

According to students, Managing the Organization is very helpful in managing their organization.

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 Managing the Organization with these activities:
Review the principles of data analysis
Strengthen your foundation in data analysis, preparing you to effectively manage and interpret data for decision-making.
Browse courses on Data Analysis
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  • Revisit textbooks or online resources on data analysis.
  • Review fundamental concepts such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and data visualization.
  • Practice analyzing data using statistical software or online tools.
  • Engage in exercises or simulations to reinforce your understanding.
Join a study group and engage in collaborative problem-solving
Foster collaborative learning, enhance your understanding through peer discussions, and build a support network.
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  • Reach out to classmates through email or discussion forums to form or join a study group.
  • Set regular meeting times and establish ground rules for the group.
  • Review course materials together, discuss concepts, and work through assignments collaboratively.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other and seek support when needed.
Follow the 'Power and Influence in Organizations' tutorial series by MindTools
Gain practical insights into the dynamics of power and influence, empowering you to navigate organizational challenges more effectively.
Browse courses on Power and Influence
Show steps
  • Access the MindTools website and locate the 'Power and Influence in Organizations' tutorial series.
  • Complete the tutorials in order, taking notes and applying the concepts to your own experiences.
  • Engage in the interactive exercises and quizzes to reinforce your understanding.
  • Reflect on how the lessons learned can enhance your leadership and interpersonal skills.
Four other activities
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Read and summarize 'The Biological Basis of Managerial Behavior' by Gary Yukl
Provide a comprehensive overview of the biological underpinnings of managerial behavior, enhancing your understanding of human behavior in organizational settings.
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  • Purchase or borrow the book and set aside time for reading.
  • Read the book, taking notes as you go to identify key concepts.
  • Summarize the main points of each chapter, focusing on key theories, research, and implications for managerial practice.
  • Identify areas where the book's insights align with or challenge your own observations and experiences.
Participate in online discussions about case studies related to organizational leadership
Enhance your problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and understanding of leadership challenges in real-world scenarios.
Browse courses on Organizational Leadership
Show steps
  • Identify reputable online forums or discussion groups dedicated to organizational leadership.
  • Select a case study that resonates with you.
  • Analyze the case study, identify key issues, and develop potential solutions.
  • Engage in discussions, sharing your perspectives, responding to others, and seeking diverse viewpoints.
  • Reflect on the discussions,笔记ing key takeaways and areas for growth.
Develop a training module on 'Managing Cultural Diversity in Organizations'
Solidify your understanding of cultural diversity and enable you to create inclusive and effective workplace environments.
Browse courses on Cultural Diversity
Show steps
  • Research best practices for managing cultural diversity in organizations.
  • Design the training module, including content, activities, and assessments.
  • Develop materials, such as handouts and presentations.
  • Pilot the training module with a small group to gather feedback.
  • Finalize and deliver the training module.
Contribute to the 'OrgManager' project on GitHub
Gain hands-on experience with organizational management tools, contribute to the open-source community, and enhance your technical skills.
Browse courses on Organizational Management
Show steps
  • Familiarize yourself with the 'OrgManager' project on GitHub.
  • Identify areas where you can make meaningful contributions, such as bug fixes or feature enhancements.
  • Fork the repository and create a branch for your contributions.
  • Make your changes and write clear documentation.
  • Submit a pull request and engage with the community to address feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Managing the Organization will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Project Manager
Project Managers will need a bachelor's degree, and sometimes may have a master's degree. They will need to know how to analyze common managerial challenges and develop solutions to these challenges. This course can help build that foundation.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers typically need a bachelor's degree. This course can help them to understand how to use power effectively to implement organizational change, which is a necessary skill for this role. This course also helps build a foundation of organizational culture and decision-making, which would both be highly beneficial to this kind of professional.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers typically need a bachelor's degree. This course can help them to understand how to use power effectively to implement organizational change, which is a necessary skill for this role. This course also helps build a foundation of organizational culture and decision-making, which would both be highly beneficial to this kind of professional.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts typically need a bachelor's degree. This course may be helpful to them because it teaches how to analyze common managerial challenges and develop solutions to these challenges.
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officers typically need a master's degree, like an MBA. This course can help them to understand how to use power effectively to implement organizational change, which is a necessary skill for this role. This course also helps build a foundation of organizational culture and decision-making, which would both be highly beneficial to this kind of professional.
Training and Development Manager
Training and Development Managers will need at a minimum a bachelor's degree, and often need a master's degree. This course can help them to understand how to use power effectively to implement organizational change, which is a necessary skill for this role. This course also helps build a foundation of organizational culture and decision-making, which would both be highly beneficial to this kind of professional.
Market Research Analyst
Market Research Analysts typically need a bachelor's degree. This course can help build a foundation of organizational culture and decision-making, which would be highly beneficial to this kind of professional.
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officers typically have a master's degree, like an MBA. This course can help them to understand how to use power effectively to implement organizational change, which is a necessary skill for this role. This course also helps build a foundation of organizational culture and decision-making, which would be highly beneficial to this kind of professional.
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officers typically need a master's degree, like an MBA. This course can help them to understand how to use power effectively to implement organizational change, which is a necessary skill for this role. This course also helps build a foundation of organizational culture and decision-making, which would be highly beneficial to this kind of professional.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts typically have a bachelor's or master's degree. This course can help them to understand how to use power effectively to implement organizational change, which is a necessary skill for this role. This course also helps build a foundation of organizational culture and decision-making, which would both be highly beneficial to this kind of professional.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers will usually have a bachelor's degree and may need an MBA. This course will be particularly helpful for them because it teaches how to analyze common managerial challenges and develop solutions to these challenges.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers may have a bachelor's or a master's degree. They will find this course useful in developing their understanding of organizational culture and decision-making, which are essential to the role.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts typically need a bachelor's degree. This course may be helpful to them because it teaches foundational theories in management, including models of organizational change, decision-making processes, and effective leadership.
Program Manager
Program Managers are typically required to have a bachelor's degree. This course may be helpful to them because it teaches foundational theories in management, including models of organizational change, decision-making processes, and effective leadership.
Management Analyst
Management Analysts, who typically need a master's degree, may find the “Managing the Organization” course helpful. This course provides an overview of foundational theories in management, including models of organizational change, decision-making processes, and effective leadership.

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Managing the Organization.
Provides a comprehensive overview of organizational culture and leadership. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about how culture shapes organizations and how leaders can shape culture.
Explores the different types of decision-making processes used in organizations. It provides practical advice on how to make better decisions.
Provides a comprehensive overview of leadership in organizations. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the different leadership styles and how to be an effective leader.
Practical guide to leadership. It provides five practices that can help leaders become more effective.
Self-help classic that provides principles for personal and professional effectiveness. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about how to be more effective in their lives.
Explores the science of motivation. It provides insights into what motivates people and how we can use this knowledge to improve our performance.
Provides a framework for building successful startups. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about entrepreneurship and innovation.
Provides a simple framework for developing good strategies. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about strategic planning.
Explores the challenges that established companies face when they try to innovate. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about innovation and entrepreneurship.
Provides practical advice on how to build and manage a successful technology company. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about entrepreneurship and leadership.
Provides a set of principles that can be used to make better decisions in business and life. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about decision-making and leadership.

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