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Organizational Behavior

How to Manage People

Anneloes Raes

Peter Drucker, a pioneer in the field of management, once said that people have a perverse tendency to behave like human beings. Of course, we are not machines, and certainly not programmable. But through the study of organizational behavior, we can gain insights into what makes people tick within a work context. Increasing your understanding of your own behavior and that of your colleagues, teams and leaders, is an important first step to bringing positive change to how you and your organization work.

The objective of this course is therefore to provide insight into four key areas:

• Motivation. In this course segment we will understand the concept of motivation and review various perspectives that will help you understand how we can motivate others.

• Leadership. In this part of the course, we will analyze the concept of leadership and consider various perspectives and approaches to help shed light on leadership emergence and effectiveness.

• Teamwork. Here we look at team functioning and effectiveness. Using the widely used input – process – output model of team effectiveness, we consider such topics as team diversity, team processes, and team outcomes.

• Culture. Finally, we'll move to the level of the organization and consider the concept of organizational culture, also touching upon the concept of national culture. We look at the various ways in which culture is expressed, and discuss the implications of culture for people within organizations and cross-cultural collaborations.

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Syllabus

Course Overview & Week 1: Motivation

Welcome! Before you start today's videos, please have a look at the syllabus. In this first session, I’ll introduce you to one of the central topics of organizational behavior: motivation. We’ll explore why people act as they do so that we can better understand their motivations on the job. These insights will help you understand how managers can influence the people on their teams toward a common goal in the context of organizations. Objectives: To gain insight into human motivation from the different perspectives offered by the diverse prevailing theories in this area.

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Emphasizes the significance of understanding human motivation in the workplace

Provides insights into the concept of leadership and its impact on organizational effectiveness

Addresses the dynamics and challenges of teamwork, highlighting its role in achieving productive outcomes

Examines the influence of culture on individuals and organizations, offering a comprehensive perspective

Suitable for individuals seeking to enhance their understanding of organizational behavior

Introduces fundamental concepts in organizational behavior, making it accessible to learners new to the field

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Reviews summary

Insights into organizational behavior

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation and overview of key organizational behavior concepts like motivation, leadership, teamwork, and culture. Many found the content applicable to their work and appreciated the practical insights offered. Students particularly highlight the clear explanations and well-structured material, making complex topics accessible. While generally well-received, some students felt the course could benefit from more in-depth case studies or examples to illustrate the concepts further, and a few noted that the pace felt slow at times.

Logical progression of topics.

"The course is well-structured, moving smoothly from one topic to the next (motivation, leadership, teams, culture)."

"I found the weekly modules to be logically organized and easy to navigate."

"The flow of the course content made it easy to build upon previous knowledge."

"Good structure covering key aspects of OB."

Well-explained and easy to follow.

"The material was presented very clearly and I found the lectures engaging."

"Content is clear and concise, making complex topics easy to grasp."

"The instructor did a great job explaining everything in an understandable way."

"I appreciated how the course broke down each topic logically."

Provides a strong basis in OB concepts.

"Excellent overview of organizational behavior. It covers all the fundamental areas effectively."

"The course provides a solid foundation in key areas like motivation, leadership, and teamwork."

"I gained a comprehensive understanding of organizational behavior basics from this course."

"It's a great starting point for anyone looking to learn about managing people."

Apply concepts immediately in work settings.

"The insights provided throughout the course were incredibly useful and I could apply them immediately to my daily work interactions."

"I learned practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

"This course really helped me understand the dynamics in my team and how to approach management challenges."

"It gives you the tools to understand your colleagues and your own behavior in a work context."

Could benefit from more case studies.

"While the overview was good, I wish there were more in-depth case studies to illustrate the concepts in real-world scenarios."

"The course covers the basics, but could use more practical examples or deeper dives into certain topics."

"I felt some sections were a bit theoretical and could have been enhanced with more application examples."

"Would appreciate more varied examples."

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 Organizational Behavior: How to Manage People with these activities:

Organize your course materials

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Organizing your course materials will help you stay on track and learn more efficiently.

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Create a filing system for your notes.
Use a calendar to keep track of due dates.
Review your materials regularly.

Review the concept of motivation

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Reviewing the concept of motivation will lay a solid foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Motivation

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Read the textbook chapter on motivation.
Watch the online lecture on motivation.
Take the quiz on motivation.

Join a study group

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Joining a study group will provide you with opportunities to discuss the material with other students.

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Find a study group to join.
Attend study group meetings regularly.
Participate in discussions.

Five other activities

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Learn about different leadership styles

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Understanding different leadership styles will enhance your ability to lead and manage teams effectively.

Browse courses on Leadership

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Watch the video tutorial on leadership styles.
Read the article on leadership styles.
Take the quiz on leadership styles.

Create a presentation on a topic of your choice

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Creating a presentation will help you synthesize your knowledge and communicate your ideas effectively.

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Choose a topic.
Research your topic.
Create a presentation outline.
Develop your presentation slides.
Practice your presentation.

Practice conflict resolution skills

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Practicing conflict resolution skills will equip you to handle conflicts in the workplace effectively.

Browse courses on Conflict Resolution

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Role-play a conflict resolution scenario.
Simulate a negotiation process.
Analyze case studies on conflict resolution.

Develop a cultural awareness plan

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Developing a cultural awareness plan will help you navigate and adapt to different cultural contexts.

Browse courses on Organizational Culture

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Research different cultures.
Interview people from different cultures.
Write a report on your findings.

Attend industry events

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Attending industry events will allow you to connect with professionals in your field and learn about the latest trends.

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Research industry events.
Register for events that interest you.
Attend the events and network with other attendees.

Career center

Learners who complete Organizational Behavior: How to Manage People will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Executive Officer

As a Chief Executive Officer, you will oversee all activities within the organization. Especially in smaller companies, your responsibilities may overlap with those managers and executives. You must have a strong understanding of Organizational Behavior so that you can manage your employees and build a strong team. This course will teach you all about what makes people tick within a work context. You will gain insights into what motivates others and the insights of your own behavior. This will be critical to your success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing all aspects of human resources within organizations. This course will teach you how to better understand what motivates others and will provide insights into what makes people tick within a work context. You will also learn about organizational culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Team Leader

Team Leaders set the framework for success and create a positive and productive team environment. The information in this course will be very helpful to you as it provides insights into what makes people tick in a work context. You will gain insights into what motivates others and you will learn about team dynamics, processes, and outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Team Leader

Organizational Development Manager

Organizational Development Managers are responsible for improving the performance of an organization. This course will teach you about motivation, leadership, and teamwork. You will also learn about organizational culture and how to create a positive work environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Manager

Leadership Development Manager

Leadership Development Managers are responsible for developing and delivering leadership training programs. This course will teach you about leadership and teamwork. You will also learn about organizational culture and how to create a positive work environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Leadership Development Manager

Management Consultant

Management Consultants provide advice and feedback to companies on how to improve their operations. This course will teach you about organizational behavior, which is essential to understanding how businesses run. You will also learn about motivation, leadership, and teamwork.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Performance Management Specialist

Performance Management Specialists are responsible for developing and implementing performance management systems. This course will teach you about motivation, leadership, and teamwork. You will also learn about organizational culture and how to create a positive work environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Performance Management Specialist

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for organizing and leading the completion of projects. You will work with others to plan, execute, and complete projects. This course will teach you how to better understand what motivates others and will provide insights into what makes people tick within a work context.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and Inclusion Managers are responsible for creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. This course will teach you about organizational culture and how to create a positive work environment for all employees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Corporate Trainer

Corporate Trainers are responsible for developing and delivering training programs to employees. This course will teach you how to better understand what motivates others and will provide insights into what makes people tick within a work context. You will also learn about leadership and teamwork.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Trainer

Talent Acquisition Manager

Talent Acquisition Managers are responsible for recruiting and hiring employees. This course will teach you how to better understand what motivates others and will provide insights into what makes people tick within a work context. You will also learn about organizational culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Talent Acquisition Manager

Employee Engagement Manager

Employee Engagement Managers are responsible for improving employee morale and productivity. This course will teach you about motivation, leadership, and teamwork. You will also learn about organizational culture and how to create a positive work environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Employee Engagement Manager

Motivational Speaker

Motivational speakers deliver speeches to audiences that are designed to inspire. This course will be helpful to you because it provides insights into what makes people tick within a work context. You will gain insights into what motivates others. This course may also help you understand your own behaviors and tendencies, which will be helpful in shaping your own speeches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motivational Speaker

Change Management Consultant

Change Management Consultants help organizations implement change. This course will teach you about motivation, leadership, and teamwork. You will also learn about organizational culture and how to create a positive work environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Change Management Consultant

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts collect and interpret financial data in order to provide companies with advice on their financial strategies. This course will teach you how to better understand what motivates others and will provide insights into what makes people tick within a work context. You will also learn about organizational culture, which is an important concept in finance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 40 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 Organizational Behavior: How to Manage People.

Humble Leadership, Second Edition

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This classic work explores the concept of organizational culture and its impact on leadership and organizational effectiveness. It provides a valuable framework for understanding the role of culture in shaping behavior and outcomes, complementing the course's exploration of culture.

Organizational Behavior

How to Manage People

Here's a deal for you

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Insights into organizational behavior

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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