NCC 5540 - Managing and Leading in Organizations

Spring. 3 credits.

Staff.

Ultimately, the goal of managers and leaders is to get things done in organizations. Most of that work is accomplished by effectively managing other people. Using text-based cases, video cases, audio cases, exercises, and readings, the course will focus on the skills managers need to be successful in their firms and in their careers. An important course goal is to help students hone their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. To this end, case analyses will require students to take problems apart into their component parts, to uncover their root causes, and to develop workable solutions. The instructor will introduce frameworks and models that will help students analyze organizational problems and generate appropriate solutions. Major content themes focus on motivating employees, understanding organizational design and organizational culture, persuading and influencing others, and managing change. The course is particularly relevant for students who (1) plan to work in corporations; or (2) intend to manage and lead firms; or (3) plan to work in the consulting industry; or (4) think about founding and/or owning startup companies.