A groundbreaking book that sheds new light on the vital importance of
teams as the fundamental unit of organization and competition in the
global economy.
Teams--we depend on them for both our professional success and our
personal happiness. But isn't it odd how little scrutiny we give them?
The teams that make up our lives are created mostly by luck,
happenstance, or circumstance--but rarely by design. In trivial
matters--say, a bowling team, the leadership of a neighborhood group, or
a holiday party committee--success by serendipity is already risky
enough. But when it comes to actions by fast-moving start-ups, major
corporations, nonprofit institutions, and governments, leaving things to
chance can be downright dangerous.
Offering vivid reports of the latest scientific research, compelling
case studies, and great storytelling, Team Genius shows managers and
executives that the planning, design, and management of great teams no
longer have to be a black art. It explores solutions to essential
questions that could spell the difference between success and
obsolescence. Do you know how to reorganize your subpar teams to turn
them into top performers? Can you identify which of the top-performing
teams in your company are reaching the end of their life span? Do you
have the courage to shut them down? Do you know how to create a
replacement team that will be just as effective--without losing time or
damaging morale? And, most important, are your teams the right size for
the job?
Throughout, Rich Karlgaard and Michael S. Malone share insights and
real-life examples gleaned from their careers as journalists, analysts,
investors, and globetrotting entrepreneurs, meeting successful teams and
team leaders to reveal some "new truths"
- The right team size is usually one fewer person than what managers
think they need.
- The greatest question facing good teams is not how to succeed, but how
to die.
- Good "chemistry" often makes for the least effective teams.
- Cognitive diversity yields the highest performance gains--but only if
you understand what it is.
- How to find the "bliss point" in team intimacy--and become three times
more productive.
- How to identify destructive team members before they do harm.
- Why small teams are 40 percent more likely to create a successful
breakthrough than a solo genius is.
- Why groups of 7 (± 2), 150, and 1,500 are magic sizes for teams.
Eye-opening, grounded, and essential, Team Genius is the next big idea
to revolutionize business.
