Gordon J. Curphy Books

"Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." - Andrew Carnegie Humanity’s greatest accomplishments, from building the pyramids in Egypt to exploring the outer reaches of the universe, are the result of group effort. In business, high-performing teams can achieve superior results to individuals. Teams are also susceptible to countless forms of dysfunction, and, if poorly managed, even the most talented groups can fall flat. Written by industry iconoclasts Drs. Gordon Curphy and Robert Hogan, The Rocket Model taps research and experience by the world’s leading experts on human behavior, leadership, and team dynamics to create a practical model for building and managing high-performing teams. “For millennia, our ancestors worked in teams to adapt, advance, and accomplish feats that continue to inspire awe,” says Hogan. “Yet despite the obvious importance of collective action, academia and business analysts alike have failed to produce a practical, science-based guide to building and managing high-functioning teams. The Rocket Model draws on our decades of work in the public and private sectors to provide essential tools to launch new teams, diagnose and resolve conflict, and maximize performance.”

Teams are the fundamental building blocks of today's organizations, yet only 1 in 5 are high performing. Most teams need help, and Ignition provides practical guidance on how to overcome common team challenges. Featured in the book are 12 case studies, complete with off-site designs and step-by-step instructions for facilitating 40 field-tested team improvement activities. Team leader and facilitator support materials, such as downloadable Power Point decks, forms, handouts and relevant articles are also included. The book content is fully integrated with the Team Assessment Survey, which provides teams with benchmarking feedback on performance.