Pattie Vargas from The Vargas Group presented on building high performance teams. She discussed 4 components: believing in team empowerment, assuming a leadership role, investing in team development, and learning to manage conflict. Vargas emphasized the importance of leadership, developing the team, dealing with inevitable conflicts in a constructive manner, and empowering teams. She provided specific strategies and recommendations to strengthen skills in each area and build advanced, potent, and impactful teams.

1. Human Resources Specific Interest
Group Proudly Presents
Pattie Vargas, PMP
The Vargas Group
Unleash The Potential!
Building High Performance Teams

2. 4 Components to Building High
Performance Teams
Believe in Team Empowerment
Project Managers today must
Assume a Leadership Role
Invest in Team Development
Learn to Manage Conflict
The Vargas Group

3. It’s a new game
with new job requirements
Have the ability to:
Assume a Leadership Role
Forge partnerships and collaborative
relationships among cross-functional
teams
Lead and promote change, growth and
effectiveness
Motivate a varied, cross-functional staff
Manage, lead and motivate highly skilled
project teams
The Vargas Group

4. Must possess:
Assume a Leadership Role
Outstanding Leadership skills
Proven leadership of technical and non-technical
teams
Exceptional collaborative, teaming and consensus
building abilities
Proficiency in staff motivation, conflict resolution and
disciplinary procedures
Experience in staff management, recruitment and
selection, creation of goals and objectives, performance
assessment
It’s a new game
with new job requirements
The Vargas Group

5. Character Traits of a Good Leader
Honesty
Humility
Willingness to Risk (related to individuals)
Takes responsibility
Relies on standards vs intimidation, charisma
or manipulation to motivate
Assume a Leadership Role
The Vargas Group

6. Skills of a Good Leader
Champion for the Team
Staff Management
Good Manager
Ability to Motivate
Assume a Leadership Role
The Vargas Group

7. Building The Team
Understand the project goals
Set the Ground Rules
Develop the project and team charters
Recognize the team composition
Invest in Team Development
“Ignoring the personalities and individual drivers
of the members of your project team is like
walking through sand in swim fins.” Vargas
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8. Gain Buy-In
Value the individual members
Solicit input and then LISTEN
Ask for Help
Hold effective meetings
Recognize milestones and achievements
All work and no play ….
Invest in Team Development
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9. Have Fun!
 “There may be 50 ways to leave your lover but
only 4 ways out of this airplane.” Herb Kelleher
 “There are just too many people at work with tight
underwear.” Ken Blanchard
 “Don’t take yourself so %#$& seriously!” Benjamin
Zander
 “This place rocks with energy!” John Christensen
to Stephen Lundlin
Invest in Team Development
Energetic, joyous teamwork drives out stress,
boredom, burnout and apathy
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10. The FISH Philosophy
Play
Make Their Day
Be There
Choose Your Attitude
Invest in Team Development
Serious Fun Builds Advanced Teams
The Vargas Group

11. Conflict Happens
Learn to Manage Conflict
Common Misconceptions
Harmony is normal and conflict is abnormal
Conflict and disagreement are the same thing
Conflict is the result of personality problems
Conflict and anger are the same thing
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12. 2 Types of Conflict Behavior
Emotional conflict – A Type - personal,
defensive, resentful
Cognitive conflict – C Type - depersonalized:
surrounding ideas, plans, approaches
Learn to Manage Conflict
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13. Transform A Type into C Type
Prepare for conflict
Recognize that Dissatisfaction / Unrest can
indicate unmet needs
Remember the common goal
Create a safe environment for open dissension
and disagreement
Encourage coaching within the team
Know when to take it off line
Learn to Manage Conflict
The Vargas Group

14. The Role of Vision
Believe in Team Empowerment
Set a clear vision
Align the vision with the mission
Cross-functional Teams – recognize the
barriers to success
Unclear roles and responsibilities – lines of
command
Unclear goals
Disorganized team structure
Lack of involvement on the part of team members
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15. Empowering Actions
Believe in Team Empowerment
Collaboration
Flexibility
Unwavering support
Distributed decision making
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16. Motivators De-motivators
Be a leader
Champion the team’s
accomplishments
Honesty, humility
Willingness to take chances
Encourage creativity
Fairness
Rewards and recognition
Fun
Weak leadership
Take credit for others success
Dishonesty
Playing it by the book
Bending the rules
Hidden agendas
Compromise
Coalitions: Gossip, dishonesty
All work and no play
Believe in Team Empowerment
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17. Characteristics of an
Empowered Team
Potency
Meaningfulness
Autonomy
Impact
Believe in Team Empowerment
The Vargas Group

18. Conclusion
Project Management = People Management
Assume a Leadership Role
Investing in the team saves time, money and
energy in the long run
Conflict is inevitable – but it can be minimized
Motivate and empower
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19. Suggested Action Plan
Assess Your Leadership Skills
360 degree surveys, accountability coach
Develop the Team
What steps did you miss, if any?
Deal With Conflict
What is your conflict management plan?
Empower Your Team
Team meeting – check for alignment
Are you motivating or de-motivating?
The Vargas Group

20. Recommended Reading
 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen
Covey
 FISH! – Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul and John
Christensen
 Peopleware – Tom deMarco, Timothy Lister
 The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick Lencioni
 The Art of Possibility – Rosamund Stone Zander
 Tools: Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument
 www.kilmann.com/conflict.html
The Vargas Group

21. Thank you
Pattie Vargas, PMP
The Vargas Group
Unleash The Potential!