What’s it about?

One of the most important puzzle pieces in an organization is the people at its core. Without its employees, an organization cannot get very far in accomplishing its goals. Leading and managing people comes with many responsibilities and challenges.

A significant part of managing employees has to do with motivating them to perform the best work they can in order to help the organization reach its objectives. Ensuring that employees are motivated is a delicate balance between knowing when to intervene and knowing when to let them fly on their own. This comes from thoughtful coaching that ensures they possess all the tools they need to perform as individuals but remaining present to support them in their tasks.

Managing is also often associated with leading. While complementary, the two skills don’t automatically come together. A good manager is someone who finds the right mix to accomplish the goals set by the organization. Leaders are able to inspire employees to do their best because they foster a stimulating working environment that thrives on collaboration and within which people feel valued and appreciated.

The best teams usually include a mix of personalities and working styles. This will inevitably lead to conflicts, which can fester and destroy morale if they are ignored. As a consequence, resolving these issues quickly and professionally is also one of the most important functions of a manager.

In this course, you will engage with all of these topics and learn how to manage and lead individuals and teams successfully.

What will I learn?

In this course, you will:

• Learn to identify the components of successful teams
• Learn to identify the pitfalls that come with teamwork
• Learn to recognize and solve conflicts
• Explore the concept of leadership and see how it differs from management 

What’s involved?

Participants will join an international community of learners interested in gaining understanding and mastery of the fundamentals of management principles. Largely self-directed and self-paced, the course will, if learners wish, lead to credits from an affiliated institution.

The Principles of Management course will be offered as three micro open online courses, each with its own learning pathways comprising a number of learning activities and resources. PMAN101 will introduce learners to the field of management and organizations; PMAN102 will focus on leading and managing people within organizations; and PMAN103 will delve deeper and cover specific activities in the organization such as planning and decision-making. 

Prerequisites?

Anyone is free to participate in this course. An internet connection and basic web browsing skills are recommended with the ability to self motivate and direct.

Learners preparing  for formal academic credit will need to meet the normal university admission requirements of the conferring institution. 

Assessment options for formal credit

To be posted soon.

Image credit: People silhouette by geralt dedicated to the public domain.