How to Hook Your OB Students Early with a “What’s in it for me?” Opener

Organizational Behavior (OB) students often have difficulty understanding how individual-, group-, and organization-level OB concepts interact to influence employee behavior in the workplace. As a result, students may disengage from the class. Yet, the simple prompt of asking students, “How do you get promoted?”, serves as an effective engagement trigger that helps students link course objectives to valued outcomes. The purpose of this session is to demonstrate how this activity can increase in-class participation, help students understand the basics of what OB represents, and provide students with a conceptual roadmap for the semester. Relevant materials will also be provided.