Overview

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Managing and working with other people in professional environments involves a number of complex skills and behaviors to be successful – things like creating productive communication climates, managing inter-team conflict, negotiating power and influence techniques, making decisions, and more. This course is an introduction for how managers successfully build productive and durable dynamics for their teams to work together more smoothly and productively. Taught by an internationally recognized expert in leadership and team development, this course is helpful to anyone interested in the fundamentals of building strong teams and managing them 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. This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit: https://acesonline.illinois.edu/

Syllabus

Course Orientation & Module 1 | Approaches to conflict management and resolution

In this module, you will become familiar with the course and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the course's required technical skills. Then dive into the second part of this module to investigate the nuances of conflict management and resolution.

Module 2 | Creating strong communication within teams

This module focuses on enhancing team communication and creativity in professional settings. You will learn how to identify and foster a productive “communication climate,” use effective brainstorming techniques to drive team creativity and understand different communication networks within teams. By applying these strategies, you will gain practical tools to improve collaboration, innovation, and team dynamics.

Module 3 | Understanding “power” and how to effectively wield it

This module delves into the foundations of power and persuasion in interpersonal and professional contexts. You will explore the distinction between “compliance” and “acceptance,” gain insight into the concept of power in human dynamics, and examine two key types of power along with their strengths and limitations. Additionally, the module introduces nine persuasive techniques and practical strategies for applying them effectively. By the end, you will be equipped to navigate and influence human interactions with greater confidence and skill.

Module 4 | Understanding intra-team cooperation and competition

This module examines the dynamics of cooperation and competition in interpersonal relationships. You will explore the strengths and weaknesses of fostering cooperative versus competitive interactions and learn strategies to balance these approaches effectively. The module also addresses the concept of “social loafing” and provides practical techniques to minimize its impact within group settings. By the end, you will have the tools to build more productive and balanced interpersonal dynamics.

Module 5 | Crash course: Supervising Humans 101

This module focuses on the complexities of supervising teams and building productive organizational cultures. You will explore the balance between directing team members’ behaviors and fostering autonomy, learn strategies for cultivating a positive and effective organizational culture, and understand how supervision can take on roles akin to factories, families, jungles, and congregations. By the end, you will be equipped with versatile approaches to manage and inspire your teams.

Module 6 | Making terrific team decisions and Conclusion

This module explores the value of shared leadership and influence in fostering better decision-making within teams. You will examine four general strategies for team decision-making, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. By understanding these concepts, you will gain tools to promote collaborative leadership and make more effective decisions in team environments. After this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!