Organisational behaviour: Know your people from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

People in Organisations

We often think of people at work in terms of their expertise, their experience or their jobs, but to lead effectively, you have to understand different personalities, values, and attitudes. These are the attributes that may not be included in a job application but can have a substantial impact on the way people work, communicate and respond to leaders. In this course, industry experts will provide insight on how understanding individual differences has helped them to create a more productive and happier workplace. Ultimately, you will take a closer look at yourself as a leader and how you can make better decisions to optimise your team. As you move through this week, you will be asked to complete some quizzes that are designed to help you understand different concepts. Be prepared to think openly and answer honestly – this is an exciting journey into the psychology of people at work!

Diversity and Inclusion

Welcome to Week 2 of the Know Your People course. This week you will explore diversity and inclusion in organisations. You will learn about the challenges for leaders in an increasingly diverse workplace and pay close attention to the benefits that diversity can provide – especially if you have the right expertise and perspective. This week draws on learning from Week 1 by highlighting the importance of individual differences in our thinking about diversity. You will also think about how perception and perceptual bias might be important in more diverse workplaces. You will also look at different types of diversity and different levels – we often think of diversity in terms of gender, age or nationality, but to take full advantage of diversity, we need to look beyond these bio-demographic aspects of people at work and focus on deeper-level differences, such as differences in the way people think and their viewpoints. These may not be as easy to detect but they are critical to understanding how diversity can help organisations be more innovative and competitive. You will explore some of the remarkable outcomes that leaders have generated by creating more inclusive workplaces and take a closer look at how you can lead more inclusively. Be prepared to think differently about differences – this could be the key to unlocking the real potential of people at work!

Motivating Your People

Welcome to Week 3 of the Know your people course. This week you will explore motivation in organisations. You will learn about what motivates people and the actual process of motivation. Both are important when you make decisions about rewards, organising work and even relationships at work and we draw on more than fifty years of research to design a motivating job. Thinking about motivation is often restricted to monetary rewards but we need to look more closely at issues of meaning and commitment if you are to really understand motivation. You will pay close attention to the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to answer the question: does money motivate? The answer might surprise you! You will also look at different types of rewards and think critically about the role of punishment at work. Be prepared to challenge your thinking about traditional rewards – especially money – the most effective motivators are often invisible!

Conflict and Emotion: Good or Bad?

Welcome to Week 4 of the Know your people course. This week you will explore conflict and emotions in organisations. Most of us think of conflict as inherently negative – something that we should avoid at work. But is harmony always better than friction? Is there a time when rocking the boat is a good idea? In an effort to answer these questions, you will learn about different types of conflict and their impact on the way people interact and think. You will pay close attention to the downside of conflict in organisations but you will also explore how you, as a leader, can think about conflict as a way to avoid stagnation and ‘groupthink’ – and even help employees innovate. You will also look into the role of emotions at work. Conflict and emotion often go hand-in-hand but emotions play a much greater role in our working life than you might think. Its not just about how you feel either; emotions can have a powerful influence on the way you think.

Teams and teamwork: Putting together high performing teams

Welcome to Week 5 of the Know your people course. This week you will explore teams in organisations. Most of you work or have worked in teams and know that teams are a growing feature of organisational life. The benefits of teams are often extolled, from greater innovation to increased satisfaction for members, but there are many who claim that teams can be problematic. They can allow some members to do little work while others carry a heavier load. There can also be great potential for conflict and tension in teams. This can cause a dilemma for leaders who want to take advantage of the many positive outcomes that teams can achieve without risking interpersonal hostilities. This week you will look at the factors that contribute to effective teamwork – you will examine how you can design and lead a team to maximise its potential.

Cross-cultural and global leadership

Welcome to the final week of the Know your people course. You all work in increasingly global and connected work environments. For many of you, this means that you lead people from different cultural backgrounds; for others it means leading people who have lived and worked in different countries. Although this is a reality for many leaders, few people really understand the challenges and real advantages that this provides. To help you reap some of these benefits (and avoid the pitfalls), you will explore how you can understand and leverage cultural differences. You will also learn about leadership across distance and truly global leadership: leading across countries and we explore the challenges of expatriate leadership. This week, I interview Professor Brendan Boyle, a leading scholar in international business and human resource management, and Dr Narender Sharma, who has extensive experience leading in multinational corporations. Together their research and international experience will help you develop important cross-cultural leadership skills!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines people at work in terms of their personalities, values, and attitudes

Explores diversity and inclusion in organisations

Investigates motivation in organisations

Teaches about effective conflict and emotion management

Provides insights into building high performing teams

Enhances understanding of cross-cultural and global leadership

Reviews summary

Organizational dynamics: know your people

Students largely praise this highly informative course on organizational behavior, emphasizing that its breakdowns of practical concepts are easy to understand. Students especially appreciate the instructor's clear and engaging lectures that effectively convey important concepts, such as understanding motivations and conflict resolution. While many students wish there were more supplemental materials, they still highly recommend this course to anyone looking to gain a deep understanding of organizational behavior, especially for managers and leaders. The course primarily focuses on the real-world application of organizational psychology theories and models, such as the Two Factor Theory, Tuckman Model, and Leading Across Cultures. Aside from the well-structured lectures, the course also offers case studies to aid in understanding the presented concepts.

The course is widely well-received by learners, with many expressing that they greatly enjoyed the learning experience.

"I really enjoyed learning the course and came to know many new things things as a part of course .I m happy to be part of this course ."

"Absolutely amazing! I love Rebecca Mitchell’s approach to teaching. She explains everything so clearly and in a way that’s easy to understand."

"The lesson has helped me realize that in work conflict makes our emotions negative and these emotions affect the quality of work. The lesson is very helpful to me, it helps me to work more effectively!"

"Excellent! I’ve learnt so much about how to work with people from different cultures and how to create a more productive workforce."

The practical insights and real-world examples provided resonate strongly with students.

"I have a better understanding of different conflicts and how to handle them accordingly."

"Learnt so many helpful and useful insights about how to better understand individual differences and create a productive workforce."

"I appreciate the help and generosity. It is hard to list all the ways this course have aided me academically and professionally."

"The breakdowns of practical concepts are easy to understand."

Students consistently rate highly the instructor's clear and engaging teaching style.

"The lectures were clear and short enough to keep engaged."

"She explained the concepts very clearly and I could understand all the concepts."

"The instructor is a good example of a good leader, she has great personal charisma."

While students find the course informative and helpful, many students express a desire for more supplemental materials.

"My only comment is to update some of the links for Exploring further resources. Some of the pages were unavailable."

"Please provide some ppt or study material to understand the concept more deeper."

"Add study material for all the concept like Globe project leadership style, Nine cultural dimensions, Culture group cluster, Hofstede cultural dimensions."

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 Organisational behaviour: Know your people with these activities:

Review course notes and materials

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Refresh your memory on the key concepts covered in the course by reviewing your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.

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Gather your course materials, including notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Set aside time in your schedule to review your materials.
Take notes on any important concepts or information that you find.

Participate in discussion forums

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Deepen your understanding of the course material by engaging in discussions with your classmates and the instructor.

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Read the discussion prompts and other students' posts.
Formulate your own responses and share your thoughts.
Ask questions and respond to others' questions.

Create a mind map of the course material

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Strengthen your understanding of the course material by creating a visual representation of the key concepts and their relationships.

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Identify the main topics and subtopics covered in the course.
Create a central node for the main topic in your mind map.
Connect subtopics to the main topic and to each other.
Use different colors, shapes, and symbols to represent different aspects of the course material.

Five other activities

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Read "Leading Change" by John Kotter

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Gain insights into the principles and strategies for leading organizational change effectively.

View HBR's 10 Must Reads for Executive Teams on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of "Leading Change" by John Kotter.
Allocate time in your schedule to read the book.
Take notes on the key concepts and strategies discussed in the book.

Complete the online simulations and case studies

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Apply your knowledge and skills to real-world scenarios and receive feedback on your decision-making.

Browse courses on Simulations

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Access the online simulations and case studies provided in the course.
Complete the simulations and case studies by making decisions and taking actions.
Analyze the results of your decisions and reflect on your performance.

Volunteer in a leadership role at a local organization

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Gain hands-on experience in applying leadership principles and developing your skills in a practical setting.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

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Identify local organizations that align with your interests.
Inquire about volunteer opportunities that involve leadership responsibilities.
Commit to a regular volunteer schedule and actively participate in leadership activities.

Mentor a junior employee or student in the field of leadership

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Share your knowledge and experience to guide and support the growth of others, while reinforcing your own understanding of leadership principles.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

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Identify a junior employee or student who would benefit from your mentorship.
Establish a regular meeting schedule and create a structured mentorship plan.
Provide guidance, support, and feedback to your mentee.

Seek out a mentor who can provide guidance and support in your leadership development

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Gain valuable insights and guidance from experienced leaders who can help you accelerate your growth and development.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

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Identify potential mentors who have the expertise and experience you seek.
Reach out to your potential mentors and request a meeting.
Establish a relationship with your mentor and regularly seek their advice and support.

Career center

Learners who complete Organisational behaviour: Know your people will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cross-Cultural Consultant

Cross-Cultural Consultants help organizations to develop and implement strategies for working effectively in cross-cultural environments. They work with organizations to identify and address cultural differences that may impact business operations, and they develop training programs and other initiatives to help employees understand and adapt to different cultures. This course may be useful for Cross-Cultural Consultants because it provides a deep understanding of organizational behavior and cross-cultural management, which are essential for helping organizations to succeed in a globalized world.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cross-Cultural Consultant

Organizational Psychologist

Organizational Psychologists apply psychological principles to organizations to improve employee productivity and satisfaction. They work with organizations to identify and address organizational problems, and they develop and implement interventions to improve organizational effectiveness. This course may be useful for Organizational Psychologists because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the factors that influence employee behavior and organizational performance.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and Inclusion Managers are responsible for developing and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives within an organization. They work with employees at all levels to create a more inclusive workplace and to promote the value of diversity. This course may be useful for Diversity and Inclusion Managers because it provides a deep understanding of organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the factors that influence diversity and inclusion.

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Employee Relations Manager

Employee Relations Managers are responsible for managing employee relations and resolving employee disputes. They work with employees and managers to identify and address issues that may affect employee morale and productivity. This course may be useful for Employee Relations Managers because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the factors that influence employee relations.

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Training and Development Manager

Training and Development Managers are responsible for developing and delivering training programs for employees at all levels. They work with subject matter experts to identify training needs, and they design and deliver training programs that are tailored to the specific needs of the organization. This course may be useful for Training and Development Managers because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the learning needs of employees.

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Leadership Development Consultant

Leadership Development Consultants help organizations to develop and implement leadership development programs. They work with organizations to identify and address leadership needs, and they develop and deliver training programs that are tailored to the specific needs of the organization. This course may be useful for Leadership Development Consultants because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior and leadership development, which are essential for helping organizations to develop effective leaders.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations to improve their performance by providing advice and guidance on a variety of management issues. They work with organizations to identify and address problems, and they develop and implement solutions to improve organizational effectiveness. This course may be useful for Management Consultants because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the factors that influence organizational performance.

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Compensation and Benefits Manager

Compensation and Benefits Managers are responsible for designing and administering compensation and benefits programs for employees. They work with employees to identify their needs and develop compensation and benefits packages that are competitive and motivating. This course may be useful for Compensation and Benefits Managers because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the factors that influence employee motivation.

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Organizational Development Manager

Organizational Development Managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to improve an organization's performance. They work with employees at all levels to identify and address areas for improvement, and they develop and implement training programs and other initiatives to help employees reach their full potential. This course may be useful for Organizational Development Managers because it provides a deep understanding of organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the factors that influence employee performance.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization. They work with teams of people to ensure that the organization's products and services are produced and delivered to customers in a timely and efficient manner. This course may be useful for Operations Managers because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the factors that influence employee productivity.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations to improve their performance by analyzing business processes and identifying areas for improvement. They work with organizations to identify and address problems, and they develop and implement solutions to improve organizational effectiveness. This course may be useful for Business Analysts because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the factors that influence organizational performance.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee all aspects of human resources for a company or organization. They are responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and developing employees, as well as managing employee benefits and compensation. This course may be useful for Human Resources Managers because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the needs of employees and creating a positive work environment.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies to sell an organization's products and services. They work with teams of people to create sales campaigns, and they are responsible for ensuring that sales campaigns are effective in reaching and persuading target audiences. This course may be useful for Sales Managers because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the factors that influence employee motivation and consumer behavior.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with teams of people to achieve project goals, and they are responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course may be useful for Project Managers because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the factors that influence team performance.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote an organization's products and services. They work with teams of people to create marketing campaigns, and they are responsible for ensuring that marketing campaigns are effective in reaching and persuading target audiences. This course may be useful for Marketing Managers because it provides a strong foundation in organizational behavior, which is essential for understanding the factors that influence consumer behavior.

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