Leading High-Performance Teams Flashcards

A project manager is leading a cross-functional team where members still report to their functional managers. What leadership challenge is MOST common in this matrix environment?

Answer: Team members face competing priorities between the project and their functional roles

In matrix organizations, team members often receive conflicting priorities from both their project manager and functional manager, creating resource and loyalty conflicts.

Which recognition and reward approach is MOST aligned with PMBOK recommendations for motivating project teams?

Answer: Recognition tied to specific behaviors and contributions, administered timely and consistently

PMBOK recommends recognition that is specific, timely, and behavior-linked because this reinforces desired actions and has the greatest motivational impact.

During the 'Storming' stage of team development, what is the project manager's MOST effective role?

Answer: Guide the team through conflict by facilitating open discussion and clarifying roles

During Storming, the project manager's role is to facilitate open communication, clarify roles and responsibilities, and coach the team through healthy conflict resolution.

A project manager wants to assess team health proactively. Which technique is MOST effective for gathering candid team feedback?

Answer: Conducting anonymous team surveys or regular retrospectives with psychological safety

Anonymous surveys and retrospectives with psychological safety produce the most candid and actionable team health data because they remove fear of judgment.

McClelland's Theory of Needs identifies three motivating factors. Which team member behavior BEST indicates a high need for achievement?

Answer: Setting challenging personal goals, tracking progress closely, and desiring direct feedback

High need for achievement (nAch) manifests as preference for challenging goals, personal accountability, and direct performance feedback.

A project manager inherited a team with low trust levels due to past project failures. What is the MOST effective first action to begin rebuilding trust?

Answer: Acknowledge past challenges openly, establish clear commitments, and consistently follow through

Trust rebuilding begins with honest acknowledgment of past issues, transparent communication, and consistent delivery on commitments over time.

According to PMBOK, which of the following is a key output of the 'Develop Team' process?

Answer: Team performance assessments and enhanced team competencies

Key outputs of Develop Team include team performance assessments, updated project documents, and improvements in team competencies and cohesion.