# Jump-Starting High-Performing Teams: The Fundamentals Course (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/jump-starting-high-performing-teams-the-fundamentals-course-self-paced>

## Overview

Effective teamwork is essential to achieving your agency's mission, yet transforming a group of individuals into a cohesive, high-performing team requires deliberate skill and strategy. Jump-Starting High-Performing Teams: The Fundamentals is a two-day course designed for federal employees who want to strengthen their ability to build, lead, and participate in results-driven teams. Through interactive exercises, self-assessments, and group discussions, participants will explore the key differences between groups and teams, understand the stages of team development, and learn how to create team charters that align members around a shared purpose and clear goals.

This course also equips participants with practical tools for navigating the interpersonal dynamics that determine a team's success. Topics include communication techniques that foster open dialogue, strategies for giving and receiving constructive feedback, approaches to managing conflict using the Thomas-Kilmann framework, and methods for collaborative problem solving and consensus building. Participants will leave with an individualized action plan they can apply immediately in their workplace to improve team performance, strengthen collaboration, and drive better outcomes for their organization.

## What you'll learn

- Identify the characteristics of high-performing teams.
- Analyze the behavioral differences that exist between group members and team players.
- Explain the importance of collaborative relationships within teams.
- Identify the stages of team development.
- Explain the team's needs in the task of maintenance dimensions of team functioning.
- Explain the importance of a team charter in building a common understanding of team purpose and goals.
- Define the various roles essential in managing the team process.
- Work through disagreements and conflicts within the team. 
- Describe the value of influence within teams.
- Identify methods for team problem-solving and decision-making.
- Explain various communication techniques that promote more effective dialogue within the team environment.
- Identify personal communication strengths and weaknesses that enhance/inhibit collaboration.
- Prepare key elements for effective team meetings.
- Develop an individualized action plan for immediate application in the work environment.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Introduction to Teams

- Describe how current teams are performing
- Differentiate between groups and teams
- Identify behavioral characteristics of team members

#### Module 2: Team Development

- Understand the stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing
- Recognize the importance of collaborative relationships in team building
- Discuss individual differences and their role in successful teams

#### Module 3: Building an Effective Team

- Define team needs and understand the role of a team charter
- Identify appropriate roles in a team and the importance of task vs. maintenance roles
- Learn the key elements of team dynamics for building a high-performing group

#### Module 4: Effective Team Communication

- Understand the differences between defensive and supportive climates
- Develop ground rules for effective meetings
- Identify common communication barriers and develop strategies for overcoming them

#### Module 5: Resolving Conflict

- Describe the functional and dysfunctional characteristics of conflict in teams
- Identify conflict resolution styles and their impact on team dynamics
- Use the Thomas-Kilmann framework and influence strategies to manage conflict and maintain team unity

#### Module 6: Group Agreement and Problem Solving

- Learn techniques like Force Field Analysis and Nominal Group Technique for problem solving
- Understand the importance of consensus and decision-making in teams
- Develop action plans for resolving team conflicts and enhancing problem-solving

#### Module 7: Conclusion

- Reflect on the course and develop an action plan for applying the learning in the workplace
- Summarize key takeaways and evaluate the course

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1049