Topic outline

  • COURSE INTRODUCTION

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    • Time: 30 hours
    • Free Certificate
    Organizational behavior is the scientific study of individual behavior in organizational environments. People are the driving force in virtually all entities, including corporations, small businesses, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), educational institutions, and healthcare organizations. Organizational behavior covers a wide range of micro- and macro-level issues, and studying it is required to maintain a competitive business advantage.

    The principles of organizational behavior are studied to help organizations understand the individual, the individual within teams, and corporate culture. This is accomplished through theories on diversity, motivation, conflict management, team development, group dynamics, and leadership. With an acknowledgment of behavior, it will be easier for businesses to achieve their business strategies, drive results, and create a high-performing organization. In this course, you will have an opportunity to develop your own perspectives on these issues through research, analysis, and critical thinking. By assessing and evaluating modern issues and topics, you’ll gain fundamental knowledge of how to leverage human talent as a leader, manager, or consultant to organizations.

  • Unit 1: Leadership

    In this unit, we will explore leadership qualities and styles and their effect on organizational culture and values. The right leader, at the right time, in the right place, can affect organizational behavior. The right leader can bring together people from all backgrounds and know how to motivate employees. The right leader at the right time can create value even during conflict and empower teams to get the job done. Furthermore, the right leader in the right place anticipates how people will respond to the business structure and strategy.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 12 hours.

  • Unit 2: Motivation

    Now that we have a general idea of the individuals that comprise an organization's talent, we turn to motivation. Fundamentally, humans are driven to accomplish goals and tasks no matter the context. Tapping into an individual's innate motivation can potentially increase their willingness to work and exceed expectations affecting the organization's effectiveness.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 6 hours.

  • Unit 3: Conflict Management

    With a baseline understanding of the individuals in organizations and the different ways to motivate employees, there must be an acknowledgment of conflict that will likely occur. Conflict is inevitable when organizations bring people from all different backgrounds to work in one place, whether remotely or in person. However, conflict can be constructive if managed appropriately and contribute to overall organizational success. In this unit, we will explore different conflict management processes, how to utilize conflict as an advantage, and understand the difference between conflict management and conflict resolution.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 5 hours.

    • 3.1: Conflict Management Overview

      Conflict is inevitable. However, by understanding the causes of conflict and its sources, you can better navigate successfully through it. This unit will also cover effective communication skills while you are engaged in various types of conflict.

    • 3.2: Conflict as an Advantage

      Many view conflict negatively and approach it with discomfort. This section will cover how and why conflict is healthy for problem-solving and healthy relationships. The unit will also cover how conflict affects employee engagement and, if managed right, can increase productivity.

    • 3.3: Conflict Management and Conflict Resolution

      Resolution and management of any type of client is the ultimate goal. In this unit, you will discover the differences and similarities in managing and resolving conflict. In addition to using conflict to leverage relationships, tips and advice are offered to help deal with emotions and anger.

    • 3.4: Conflict Management Styles

      There are different styles in conflict; however, it's more important to recognize how to make peace and move on. Managing the different conflict styles is one method for building collaborative relationships.

    • Unit 3 Study Resources

      This review video is an excellent way to review what you've learned so far and is presented by one of the professors who created the course.

    • Unit 3 Assessment

  • Unit 4: Team Development

    Diverse individuals come to an organization with unique backgrounds, education, and experiences. However, understanding how to resolve conflict can separate good companies from great companies. So let’s now take a look at teams and team development. Many organizations throughout the world rely on teams to complete projects. These teams are diverse in skills and experience, so the individuals within the team complement one another to accomplish their goals and objectives.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 4 hours.

    • 4.1: Teams

      In this section, you will learn about the differences between a group and a team and the different types of teams. Once a team is formed, leaders and managers must hire the right individuals to be on a specific team that will contribute to organizational performance.

    • 4.2: Team Development

      Understanding the stages of team development and the behaviors in the group can help leaders effectively manage teams. By recognizing the behaviors and characteristics of these teams, leaders can reap the rewards of a successful, high-performing team.

    • 4.3: Managing Teams

      Teams are used in virtually every organization. This section breaks down the individuals that comprise a team and teaches how to facilitate effective team meetings.

    • 4.4: Team-Building

      Team cohesion is the foundation of a highly successful team where members feel like they belong. Further generating team commitment can be achieved through targeted team-building activities.

    • Unit 4 Study Resources

      This review video is an excellent way to review what you've learned so far and is presented by one of the professors who created the course.

    • Unit 4 Assessment

  • Unit 5: Group Dynamics

    Individuals from all walks of life come together for the common purpose of achieving an organization's vision and mission. With their unique backgrounds, each person contributes to the overall group's dynamics in how they interact, behave, and build relationships. In this unit, we look at the organization as a whole and how understanding group dynamics can create meaningful experiences for individuals, teams, and stakeholders.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

    • 5.1: Group Dynamics

      As individuals, we are all part of many different kinds of groups. This section describes the kinds of groups, the relationships within the group, and how behavioral changes can impact the group.

    • 5.2: Structure

      Organizations have different structures based on their needs and aspirations. The following material discusses how group structure determines each individual's roles, norms, and statuses.

    • 5.3: Groups versus Individuals

      Individuals that comprise a group give a certain level of effort. This effort includes many aspects that all contribute to how a group makes decisions and, ultimately, how a group comes together to think as one unit.

    • 5.4: Introverts and Extroverts

      Personality styles vary amongst individuals. However, this section discusses similarities and differences in addition to how a person can employ the best of each style to be successful in personal and work relationships.

    • Unit 5 Study Resources

      This review video is an excellent way to review what you've learned so far and is presented by one of the professors who created the course.

    • Unit 5 Assessment

  • Course Feedback Survey

    Please take a few minutes to give us feedback about this course. We appreciate your feedback, whether you completed the whole course or even just a few resources. Your feedback will help us make our courses better, and we use your feedback each time we make updates to our courses. If you come across any urgent problems, email contact@saylor.org.

  • Study Guide

  • Certificate Final Exam

    Take this exam if you want to earn a free Course Completion Certificate.

    To receive a free Course Completion Certificate, you will need to earn a grade of 70% or higher on this final exam. Your grade for the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again as many times as you want, with a 7-day waiting period between each attempt. Once you pass this final exam, you will be awarded a free Course Completion Certificate.