Managing Professional Work Teams from Coursera

We often think that managing people looks like a charismatic and courageous person effective enough to be in front pointing out to everyone the direction the group should take, while others follow behind. However, in today’s world (where the difference between supervisors and employees is smaller than ever), leaders are just as often teammates and collaborators as they are supervisors and managers who can hire and fire their team at will. This course is an introduction for how managers can construct and supervise individuals who work as a team to get their work done quickly and effectively – where all individuals add unique value and skill.

Taught by an internationally recognized expert in leadership and team development, this course is helpful to anyone interested in the basics of supervising other humans in work and community settings. If you already consider yourself more advanced, this short course might help to remind you of basic strategies and concepts you may have gotten away from. Each short video and reading is designed to be practical, clear, and backed by the latest research in management and leadership development.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation & Module 1 | Why Good People Management is More Important than Ever

In this module you will become familiar with the course and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course. Then dive into the second part of this module to investigate the importance of teamwork, the common misconceptions of team leadership, and the increasing need for effective leadership in today’s professional work environment, equipping you with the essential skills for successful people management.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the increasing need for effective leadership in today's professional work environment, which is essential for managers and supervisors

Examines the establishment of psychological safety within teams, which is a fundamental aspect of effective people management

Taught by an internationally recognized expert in leadership and team development, which can provide valuable insights and guidance

Investigates the importance of teamwork and the common misconceptions of team leadership, which helps learners understand team dynamics

Examines the five stages of team development, which equips learners with a holistic understanding of team progression

Designed to remind advanced learners of basic strategies and concepts, which may be helpful for those who have gotten away from them

Reviews summary

Managing professional work teams fundamentals

According to learners, this course offers a positive and strong foundation in managing professional work teams. Many found the concepts to be clear and practical, providing strategies they could apply immediately. It is considered an excellent introduction for new managers and a useful refresher for those with prior experience. The expert instructor's insights were frequently praised. While a few experienced students felt the content was a warning too basic, overall feedback emphasizes its value in teaching neutral fundamental team behaviors and dynamics, including important concepts like neutral psychological safety and neutral team development stages. It covers the essential aspects needed to begin or improve people management skills effectively.

Useful review for experienced managers.

"Even with years of experience, I found the course a valuable refresher on core principles."

"Reminded me of fundamental strategies I had overlooked and needed to revisit."

"A good way to reinforce best practices in team leadership, even if you know the basics."

"Found value in revisiting foundational concepts through this well-structured course."

Instructor provides valuable insights.

"The instructor is clearly an expert and shared very helpful perspectives from their experience."

"Appreciated the instructor's approach and real-world examples throughout the modules."

"Learned a lot directly from the instructor's insights, which added significant value."

Excellent introduction for new managers.

"This course is a great starting point for anyone stepping into a leadership role."

"Gave me a solid foundation in basic team management principles."

"Highly recommend for beginners in people management."

"Perfect for someone needing to learn the fundamentals of managing people."

Explains fundamental ideas effectively and simply.

"The videos and readings explained complex ideas in a very clear and concise manner."

"Found the core concepts easy to grasp, even for someone new to formal management."

"The structure of the course made understanding team dynamics straightforward."

"Everything was explained clearly, making the learning process smooth."

Provides immediately usable strategies for work.

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

"The concepts presented were highly relevant and directly applicable to managing my team."

"Really helped me understand how to approach common team issues using practical advice."

"The frameworks shared are very useful for everyday team management challenges."

May lack depth for very experienced learners.

"For experienced managers, this course might feel a bit too introductory."

"Wish there was more depth on complex team challenges or advanced strategies."

"Found some sections covered material I was already very familiar with, expected more."

"It's a good overview but not deep enough if you already have significant management experience."

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 Professional Work Teams with these activities:

Review 'The Five Dysfunctions of a Team'

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Gain a deeper understanding of the common challenges teams face and how to overcome them.

View The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership... on Amazon

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Read the book 'The Five Dysfunctions of a Team'.
Identify the five dysfunctions and their impact.
Reflect on how these dysfunctions manifest in teams you've been a part of.

Review Conflict Resolution Strategies

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Strengthen your understanding of conflict resolution techniques to better manage disagreements within teams.

Browse courses on Conflict Resolution

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Research common conflict resolution strategies.
Identify the pros and cons of each strategy.
Consider how to apply these strategies in a team setting.

Discuss Teamwork Experiences

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Share and learn from others' experiences working in teams to gain diverse perspectives.

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Find a peer or group of peers interested in discussing teamwork.
Share your experiences in various team settings.
Discuss challenges and successes in teamwork.
Reflect on what you learned from the discussion.

Four other activities

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Create a Team Charter Template

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Develop a practical tool for teams to define their goals, roles, and processes.

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Research best practices for team charters.
Design a template that includes key elements.
Share your template with others for feedback.
Refine your template based on feedback.

Review 'Radical Candor'

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Learn how to provide effective feedback to team members to foster growth and improve performance.

View Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition... on Amazon

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Read the book 'Radical Candor'.
Understand the four quadrants of radical candor.
Practice giving and receiving feedback using the radical candor framework.

Analyze a Real-World Team

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Apply course concepts to a real-world team to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

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Choose a team to analyze (e.g., a work team, a sports team).
Observe the team's dynamics and interactions.
Interview team members to gather their perspectives.
Write a report summarizing your findings and recommendations.

Mentor Junior Team Members

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Reinforce your understanding of team management principles by guiding and supporting less experienced team members.

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Volunteer to mentor junior team members.
Provide guidance and support on their tasks and projects.
Share your knowledge and experience in team management.
Offer constructive feedback and encouragement.

Career center

Learners who complete Managing Professional Work Teams will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Department Supervisor

A Department Supervisor oversees the daily operations of a team and their work within a specific department. This course will help a Department Supervisor with the concepts of psychological safety, openness, and supportiveness. The course's focus on team dynamics and the emotional needs of team members is directly applicable to the work of a Department Supervisor. The insights on team formation, mutual accountability, and essential behaviors for effective people managers, taught in the course, allow the Department Supervisor to build a more efficient and motivated team. This course is directly relevant for Department Supervisors and their daily work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Department Supervisor

Team Lead

A Team Lead manages and guides a specific team, overseeing daily tasks and ensuring the team's objectives align with the larger goals of the organization. This course is specifically relevant to the work of a Team Lead because it explores team formation, mutual accountability, and the emotional needs of team members. Understanding these aspects helps enhance team effectiveness and productivity. The course also addresses the fundamental behaviors of effective people managers, such as openness and supportiveness, which are essential for Team Leads to create a culture of trust and collaboration.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This role works closely with teams to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. The course's emphasis on team dynamics, effective communication, and understanding the stages of team development directly applies to project management, helping Project Managers foster more collaborative and productive team environments. The course modules focusing on mutual accountability and psychological safety are particularly relevant, enabling Project Managers to create environments where team members are motivated and supported.

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Research Team Manager

A Research Team Manager oversees research projects, directs research teams, and ensures that projects are completed effectively. This role benefits from the course's focus on team dynamics, mutual accountability, and team development. The course's modules such as the behaviors of effective managers, as well as the creation of psychological safety, are directly relevant to the work of a Research Team Manager. This course is useful for a Research Team Manager to make a research team more efficient and effective.

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Team Coordinator

A Team Coordinator supports a team by facilitating communication, coordinating tasks, and helping to ensure that team goals are met. This role greatly benefits from a deep understanding of team dynamics and effective communication. The coursework on team formation, mutual accountability, and the emotional needs of team members is especially beneficial for those in this position. In particular, understanding the fundamental behaviors for effective team work, and the concepts of openness and supportiveness emphasized in the course, helps a Team Coordinator improve team cohesion and efficiency.

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Nonprofit Program Director

A Nonprofit Program Director manages a specific program within a nonprofit organization, including supervising staff, managing budgets, and ensuring that the program's goals are achieved. This course's focus on managing teams and fostering a collaborative environment is highly relevant to the work of a Nonprofit Program Director. The core tenants of the program, such as openness, supportiveness, and psychological safety, are valuable for creating a positive team culture in the nonprofit sector. Also, the course modules concerning how teams develop provide insights for the program director that are essential in team growth and effectiveness. This course may be useful to a Program Director or similar role.

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Volunteer Coordinator

A Volunteer Coordinator recruits, trains, and manages volunteers in various settings, and therefore benefits from an understanding of group dynamics and effective team management. This course, which covers concepts of team formation, mutual accountability, and the emotional needs of team members, helps in creating a more engaging and productive volunteer environment. The course modules on openness, supportiveness, psychological safety and fundamental behaviors for effective people management are also beneficial to a Volunteer Coordinator. The course is useful for Volunteer Coordinators in achieving a cohesive and dedicated team of volunteers.

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Training Facilitator

Training Facilitators design and lead training sessions aimed at improving team performance and leadership skills. This course is directly relatable to the work of a Training Facilitator, providing valuable content on team formation, mutual accountability, and the emotional needs of team members. Further, the course covers the behaviors of effective people managers, as well as the stages of team development. A Training Facilitator can use the knowledge from this course to create more effective training that addresses key areas of team development, leadership, and workplace culture. The course may be particularly helpful for those training on management and team effectiveness.

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Operations Manager

An Operations Manager oversees the daily activities of an organization, which often includes managing teams and ensuring efficient processes. This course's focus on team dynamics, the importance of mutual accountability, and the emotional needs of team members directly aligns with the work of Operations Managers. With its insights on cultivating a positive team culture, the course allows an Operations Manager to create a productive working environment. The modules discussing openness, supportiveness, and psychological safety within a team are especially beneficial for those managing day to day operations. This is a course that can help an Operations Manager build more effective teams.

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Human Resources Specialist

A Human Resources Specialist supports employees and managers, often focusing on aspects of team development, training, and conflict resolution. The course's exploration of team formation, team dynamics, and psychological safety directly informs the work of a Human Resources Specialist, who would be better able to understand the needs of teams and individuals. Modules on essential behaviors for effective people managers and how teams develop provide valuable insights that can help Human Resources Specialists create a more positive and effective workplace. This course may be particularly helpful for HR professionals focusing on organizational development.

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Community Organizer

A Community Organizer works with community members to develop initiatives and advocate for change. This role requires a deep understanding of team dynamics, communication, and the emotional needs of group members. The insights from this course concerning the behaviors of effective managers, as well as the stages of team development, make it particularly valuable to Community Organizers. This course can help support them in building stronger, more cohesive groups. Understanding concepts like openness and psychological safety is particularly important for this kind of role. This course may be particularly helpful for a Community Organizer.

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Small Business Owner

A Small Business Owner is responsible for all aspects of running their business, including managing employees. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in team management, leadership behaviors, and team dynamics. The course's specific emphasis on mutual accountability, psychological safety, and the emotional needs of team members will help a Small Business Owner in building a more effective workplace. Also, the course concepts on openness and supportiveness can support a more cohesive and productive team. This course may be useful for a Small Business Owner.

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Management Consultant

A Management Consultant analyzes organizational challenges and provides solutions to improve performance. This frequently involves assessing team dynamics, leadership effectiveness, and overall management practices. The modules focusing on team member needs, fundamental behaviors, and the stages of team development are directly applicable to assessing and improving team performance. In particular, a Management Consultant can leverage the concepts of openness, supportiveness, and psychological safety taught in the course to make targeted recommendations to organizations. This course may be particularly helpful for a Management Consultant focused on team effectiveness.

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Academic Advisor

An Academic Advisor provides guidance to students on their academic path, often working closely with them on study skills, career goals and other issues. This course's focus on individual and group dynamics can provide useful insights into the challenges students face, and may help an Academic Advisor create a more supportive and collaborative environment. The course's modules regarding team work, mutual accountability, and fundamental behaviors may help an Advisor better serve students. An Academic Advisor may find this course useful.

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Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer creates learning experiences, often collaborating with subject matter experts to develop training materials. The concepts of team dynamics, group development, and leadership taught in this course can help an Instructional Designer to better understand the learning needs of team members and to design effective training. The insights into team development, psychological safety, and core behaviors will be extremely valuable for an Instructional Designer creating team-focused programs. This course may be particularly helpful for Instructional Designers developing training on management and team effectiveness.

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Managing Professional Work Teams

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Managing professional work teams fundamentals

Activities

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