Looking at the big picture helps. You should be able to see that there are really no more than three macro-level concepts here. In fact, depending on what your prof lectures about, you might be able to determine what he or she thinks is the most important of the three – that’s assuming you attend all the lectures, which I’m sure you do.

There are only four categories of financial rewards presented. You’ll need to remember each one, what level they typically operate at, and the advantages and disadvantages associated with each one. Here’s a tip: look at Exhibit 6.1, and add another column next to the one called “Sample rewards.” Now, in the new column you just made, identify if that reward operates at the individual, team or organizational level. That new table will serve as a quick and dirty way to remember all you need to know about reward practices. Oh, and try to remember the difference between gainsharing, profit sharing, ESOPs and share options. That’s a favourite question I always ask on exams.

A second important concept deals with job design, and the various definitions. The most confusing part in this chapter is always the job characteristics model. You’ll find in the Study part of Connect an exercise that shows five boxes under the heading Core Job Characteristics. Why did I design five boxes instead of three like Exhibit 6.2 in the text? In my experience, students find it easier to remember them that way. Typically, students tend to confuse the core job characteristics with the critical psychological states, or simply can’t discern which arrows point to what. The three job design practices (which aren’t part of the JCM by the way) are also confusing. While job enlargement sounds nice, it really means you’ll have to do more work (and probably for the same pay too), whereas job enrichment means you’ll be doing more interesting work – big difference.

The last concept is self-leadership. Employees can be taught to improve that skill, and it makes a difference. So, pay attention to the five activities and the examples that are provided. I’ll bet you already practice self-leadership without realizing it.