Certificate in High-Performing Teams

man and woman professional sitting together

About the Program

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University is proud to partner with Guttman Development Strategies to offer an exciting and unique professional development opportunity for mid- to upper-level nonprofit, governmental, and for-profit leaders.

The Certificate in High-Performing Teams (HPT) is a hands-on, results-driven organizational development solution designed for leaders at every level. It provides a proven process for achieving greater strategic impact by equipping participants with the high-performance leadership behaviors and skills essential for maximizing their performance and that of the teams they lead.

The program is:

  • Offered 100% online through live interactive, engaging, applied two-hour sessions.
  • Led by highly experienced consultants from Guttman Development Strategies, a global organization development firm that focuses on HPT development, leadership development, and executive coaching.
  • Structured in two phases—Level One and Level Two—that can be completed independently or together.*
  • Designed to transform team dynamics and deliver proven business results.
  • Highlighted by special opportunities for candid discussions with several CEOs and other senior executives about their high-performance journey.

*Both levels must be completed to earn the HPT Certificate.


What You Will Gain

By the end of the program, participants will have:

  • Gained an understanding of the fundamental concepts, processes, and skills of horizontal, high-performance leadership.
  • Learned the listening, assertion, conflict management, and coaching skills required to lead teams to achieve greater cohesiveness, engagement, productivity and results. 
  • Sharpened their ability to pinpoint and resolve performance issues and apply the high-performance approach to how they manage and lead.

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Who Should Attend

This program is designed for entry-level, mid-level, and senior executives across all industries who are committed to developing individual and team talent, driving performance, and achieving excellence. 

Join us to elevate your leadership skills and transform your organization!


Cost of Attendance

Participating in the HPT Certificate Program at the Mandel School is a worthy investment in your career. Prices are as follows:

  • $3,750 for Level 1 only
  • $4,900 for Certificate Program (Levels 1 & 2)
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The High Performance Teams Certificate is offered in partnership with Guttman Development Strategies. Below are a few firms who have engaged in their HPT process:

  • American Express Global Business Travel
  • Atlantic Health Systems
  • Campbell Soup Company
  • City of Hope
  • L’Oreal
  • Merck Pharmaceuticals
  • Merrill Lynch
  • Motorola
  • National Veterinary Associates (NVA)
  • Newman’s Own
  • Pepsi Co, Inc.
  • Pfizer
  • Walmart
  • YMCA of Eastern Union County

Coursework for the Certificate

Level 1 and Level 2 each include four live sessions totaling 8 hours of coursework. To gain a certificate in HPT, you must enroll in both levels. All sessions meet from 6 - 8 p.m. on the dates listed below. Enrollment opens on August 1.

Fall Semester

  • September 30
  • October 7
  • October 21
  • October 28
  • November 4
  • November 11
  • November 18
  • November 25

Spring Semester

  • February 18
  • February 25
  • March 4
  • March 11
  • March 18
  • March 25
  • April 1
  • April 8

Level I

Session & Course Hours Course Name Course Description
Session I:
2 Hours
HPT Overview

This introductory segment covers the basic concepts of HPT, including key attributes, stages to achieve an HPT, and the basic requirements for organizations to achieve an HPT cultural transformation.

Session II: 2 Hours HPT Skill Set: Influencing 1
  • Listening
  • Problem Solving
  • Recognizing Resistance

Pre-Read:

  • Winning Friends & Influencing our Organization: The Case of Mars Corporate Affairs
  • Listening With the Third Ear
  • Overcoming Resistance
Session III: 2 Hours HPT Skill Set: Influencing 2
  • Asserting
  • Contracting
  • Establishing Boundaries

Pre-Read: How Assertive Are You?

Session IV: 2 Hours HPT Skill Set: Influencing 3
  • Conflict Management

Pre-Read:

  • What’s Your Organization’s Conflict Management IQ?
  • Electronic Message or Scud Missiles?

Pre-Video:

  • Conflict Management For Real

Level II

Session & Course Hours Course Name Course Description
Session V: 2 Hours  HPT Consultative Process

Effective consulting is a critical leadership capability that involves supporting clients, solving problems, and driving sustainable results.

Our HPT Consulting Skills training equips participants with the knowledge and techniques to navigate client relationships, diagnose issues, and implement impactful solutions in any consulting role. 

  • Diagnosing HPT Attributes
  • Data Collection Options
Session VI: 2 Hours Developing High-Performance Leaders (DHPL)

Exceptional leaders inspire their teams to deliver outstanding results.

Our Developing High-Performance Leaders training equips leaders with the skills to adapt their behavior to maximize each team member's performance, creating a culture of excellence and collaboration.

  • Application Coaching

Pre-Read: The New High-Performance Leader

Pre-Video: The High-Performance Leader

Session VII: 2 Hours Performance Management

Effective performance management goes beyond annual reviews - it’s about creating an ongoing partnership between managers and employees to drive growth, accountability, and results. 

Our Performance Management training helps organizations transform their approach by building high-performance individuals and teams through clear goals, constructive feedback, and continuous development.

Pre-Read: Performance Management: A Leader’s Job

Session VIII: 2 Hours  Coaching for Performance

Managing "people problems" is one of the most challenging aspects of leadership. 

Our Coaching for Performance training equips managers with the tools to identify root causes of underperformance, address behavioral issues, and create a culture of accountability and growth.

  • Diagnose Performance Gaps: Learn a systematic process for identifying the causes of performance deviations and planning corrective actions.
  • Develop Coaching Skills: Master the art of having difficult conversations to guide employees toward improved performance.
  • Foster Accountability: Create contracts with employees to set clear goals and align on behavioral changes.

Pre-Read:

  • World Class Coaching: What Does It Really Take?
  • How Coachable Is Your Team?

Pre-Videos:

  • 3 Dynamite Coaching Questions
  • Coach Yourself to Win