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Michael Useem and Peter Cappelli

People are the most valuable asset of any business, but they are also the most unpredictable, and the most difficult asset to manage. And although managing people well is critical to the health of any organization, most managers don't get the training they need to make good management decisions. Now, award-winning authors and renowned management Professors Mike Useem and Peter Cappelli of the Wharton School have designed this course to introduce you to the key elements of managing people. Based on their popular course at Wharton, this course will teach you how to motivate individual performance and design reward systems, how to design jobs and organize work for high performance, how to make good and timely management decisions, and how to design and change your organization’s architecture. By the end of this course, you'll have developed the skills you need to start motivating, organizing, and rewarding people in your organization so that you can thrive as a business and as a social organization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Motivation and Reward
In this module, you'll learn how motivation affects an individual's performance and how to use that motivation to drive performance. You'll explore how incentive systems are designed and how psychological concepts such as behavior modification, imitation, conformity, and compliance influence and shape these systems. You’ll also examine the current process of hiring employees using technology, tracking systems, and outsourcing. And you’ll learn how you can provide valuable feedback to your employees, and make performance appraisals productive. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to apply what you've learned to best motivate, hire, and evaluate your employees.
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Tasks, Jobs, and Systems of Work
This module is designed to teach you the difference between a task and a job. You'll learn how jobs are historically designed, and you'll explore some of the drawbacks related to past work systems. You'll also learn how job design has been influenced by engineering and psychology. Finally, you'll look at real world examples from the GM and Toyota to compare their respective approaches. By the end of this module, you'll understand how jobs and systems of work have evolved to improve employee performance and productivity.
Making Good and Timely Management Decisions
In this module, you'll learn how to make good and timely management decisions. Through several real-world examples, you'll see how leaders create and build a decision making mindset. You'll also learn how leaders can make costly decisions that affect their team or their entire company negatively. By the end of this module, you will be able to apply key concepts to making good and timely management decisions and build a higher performing team.
Designing and Changing the Organization's Architecture
This module was created to describe the influence of an organization's architecture on management and its team's performance. You'll explore how inequity fosters disparity among employees and can inhibit a company's success. You'll also look at two real-world examples of leaders who tackled problems within their organizational structures to effect change. By the end of this module you will be able to identify key steps in which you can lead change within your organization.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores motivation and reward systems, which are essential for increasing employee performance
Teaches job design, which is essential for increasing employee productivity and engagement
Provides a real-world example of how leaders can make costly decisions that affect their teams negatively
Examines inequity, which can foster disparity among employees and inhibit a company's success
Taught by renowned management professors from the Wharton School, who are recognized for their expertise

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Reviews summary

Managing human resources

Learners say there is largely positive content in this course on Managing Social and Human Capital based on 195 reviews by students who rate the course highly. Instructors Professor Capelli and Professor Useem use real world case studies, engaging stories, and relevant examples of managing social and human capital. Reviewers mention the course is especially applicable to management and human resources roles and can help learners develop practical knowledge and effective strategies for managing teams and leading change.
Overall, learners found the quality of this course to be very good.
"This is one of the best courses that I've seen on this platform."
"This was an amazing learning experience for me and especially the case studies helped a lot in order to develop insights and deepening the learning paradigms."
"I really enjoyed, very interesting topics and examples that made very easy to bring the content of the course to the current organizational reality and day to day world at work."
The course is seen as practical and applicable to the workplace.
"This course is absolutely wonderful. I really love the examples the instructors used for demonstrating the concepts, for example: the fire fighter story and critical lessons from the Marine force."
"I learned a lot of Management, this course really helps you to understand how to be a good manager through various thorough strategies and advices they give you. Amazing!"
"Absolutely amazing course, which will give you an insight into how to implement changes within the company, talk to your employees and facilitate new company's architecture."
The instructors, Professor Capelli and Professor Useem, are highly praised for their expertise and engaging teaching styles.
"The case studies in the course are exemplary."
"I love how psychology plays such a large role in the world of business and how this course teaches you how to understand the people you are managing."
"This is my first course in course era, it was so informational with good illustrated examples. Thank you to the professors for bringing up this course."
The course is full of real world examples and case studies that help learners to understand the concepts being taught.
"It was very useful for me and very impressed to exist translation in Korean."
"It's like a TV show that once you start watching again, you can't stop. Amazing case studies."
"The case studies in the course are exemplary. For an MBA student to understand the decision making process at the highest level and to gain right decision making approach this course is a must."

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 Social and Human Capital with these activities:
Read Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink.
This book provides insights into the latest research on motivation, which will supplement and expand on the material covered in the course.
View Drive on Amazon
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book.
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes or highlight important passages.
Review principles of motivation and reward systems.
Reviewing these principles will provide a foundation for understanding the material covered in Module 1: Motivation and Reward.
Browse courses on Motivation
Show steps
  • Read the textbook chapter on motivation and reward.
  • Watch online videos or lectures on motivation and reward.
  • Review your notes from previous courses on psychology or human behavior.
Attend a workshop on motivation and reward.
Attending a workshop will provide you with an opportunity to learn from experts in the field.
Browse courses on Motivation
Show steps
  • Search for workshops on motivation and reward.
  • Register for a workshop.
  • Attend the workshop.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Solve practice problems on motivation and reward.
Solving practice problems will help you apply the principles of motivation and reward to real-world situations.
Browse courses on Motivation
Show steps
  • Find practice problems in your textbook or online.
  • Solve the problems on your own.
  • Check your answers against the solutions provided.
Solve practice problems on job design and work organization.
Solving practice problems will help you apply the principles of job design and work organization to real-world situations.
Browse courses on Job Design
Show steps
  • Find practice problems in your textbook or online.
  • Solve the problems on your own.
  • Check your answers against the solutions provided.
Discuss motivation and reward systems with peers.
Discussing the material with peers will help you to better understand and remember the concepts.
Browse courses on Motivation
Show steps
  • Find a study partner or group.
  • Meet with your study partner or group to discuss the material.
  • Share your thoughts and ideas.
Develop a motivation strategy for a specific team or organization.
This project will allow you to apply the principles of motivation and reward to a real-world situation.
Browse courses on Motivation
Show steps
  • Identify a team or organization that you are familiar with.
  • Analyze the team or organization's current motivation strategies.
  • Develop a new motivation strategy.
  • Write a report outlining your strategy.

Career center

Learners who complete Managing Social and Human Capital will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers oversee all aspects of human capital management within an organization. They are responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures that ensure the organization attracts, develops, and retains the best possible talent. This course can be particularly helpful for Human Resources Managers as it provides a comprehensive overview of the key elements of managing people, including motivation, reward systems, job design, and organizational architecture.
Recruiter
Recruiters are responsible for finding and hiring the best possible talent for an organization. They work with hiring managers to identify job requirements, develop job descriptions, and screen and interview candidates. This course can be helpful for recruiters as it provides insights into the latest trends in hiring and recruiting, as well as best practices for motivating and retaining employees.
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Compensation and Benefits Managers are responsible for designing and implementing compensation and benefits programs that attract and retain employees. This course can be helpful for Compensation and Benefits Managers as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of motivation and reward systems.
Training and Development Manager
Training and Development Managers are responsible for developing and delivering training programs that help employees improve their skills and knowledge. This course can be helpful for Training and Development Managers as it provides insights into the latest trends in learning and development, as well as best practices for designing and delivering training programs.
Organizational Development Consultant
Organizational Development Consultants help organizations improve their performance by developing and implementing strategies for change. This course can be helpful for Organizational Development Consultants as it provides a comprehensive overview of the key elements of organizational architecture and change management.
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with teams of people to achieve project goals. This course can be helpful for Project Managers as it provides insights into the latest trends in project management, as well as best practices for motivating and leading teams.
People Operations Manager
People Operations Managers are responsible for all aspects of human capital management within an organization, including recruiting, hiring, training, and development, compensation and benefits, and employee relations. This course can be helpful for People Operations Managers as it provides a comprehensive overview of the key elements of managing people.
Consultant
Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of business issues, including human capital management. This course can be helpful for Consultants as it provides a comprehensive overview of the key elements of managing people.
HR Business Partner
HR Business Partners work with business leaders to develop and implement HR strategies that align with the organization's business goals. This course can be helpful for HR Business Partners as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of human capital management.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts work with stakeholders to identify and define business needs. They also develop and implement solutions to improve business processes. This course can be helpful for Business Analysts as it provides insights into the latest trends in business analysis, as well as best practices for working with stakeholders and managing change.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists apply psychological principles to the workplace. They work with organizations to improve employee productivity, satisfaction, and well-being. This course can be helpful for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists as it provides a solid foundation in the principles of human capital management.
Program Manager
Program Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing programs. They work with teams of people to achieve program goals. This course can be helpful for Program Managers as it provides insights into the latest trends in program management, as well as best practices for motivating and leading teams.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization. They oversee all aspects of the business, including production, marketing, and finance. This course can be helpful for Operations Managers as it provides insights into the latest trends in operations management, as well as best practices for managing people and processes.
Change Manager
Change Managers help organizations implement change initiatives. They work with stakeholders to identify and overcome barriers to change. This course can be helpful for Change Managers as it provides a comprehensive overview of the key elements of change management.
Chief People Officer
Chief People Officers are responsible for all aspects of human capital management within an organization. They report directly to the CEO and are responsible for developing and implementing the organization's human capital strategy. This course can be helpful for Chief People Officers as it provides a comprehensive overview of the key elements of managing people.

Reading list

We've selected 15 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 Social and Human Capital.
Examines the impact of human capital on a company. This book offers practical guidance for implementing HR best practices. This book is commonly used as a textbook by academic institutions or by industry professionals.
Offers best practices and examples for designing jobs based on the concept of motivation.
Explores management styles and how they affect how an organization treats its employees.
Good reference for understanding the science behind motivation for those who want to do a deep dive into this topic.
Presents a detailed description of companies that made the transition from being a good company to a great company.
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Presents the author's theory on motivation and the implications for leaders.

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