“The Wisdom of Teams – Jon R. Katzenbach & Douglas K. Smith

This book is for you if you want to:

1.     Discover how to build strong teams who perform at the highest standards.

2.     Learn how teams can overshadow individual efforts to achieve results faster and to a greater extent.

 What I learned:

·       The 3 essential requirements of a high performing team.

·       The correct strategy for a team to help them achieve their goals.

·       Key skills that every team much possess and master.

·       How great management learns how to leverage the power and strength of their team.

Here are 5 of my key takeaways:

1. ‘Real teams’ go farther than individuals on a project.

   1. “Real teams’ as the author calls them possess two things – responsibility and accountability. Every team member shows commitment to getting involved and they have discipline in self and trust in those around them to stay on track. When everyone stays in order – things run smoothly.
      

2. Teams are more progressive and successful than groups.

   1. Groups are numbers of people who organize their efforts where a team forms as a result of disciplined action and a strong will to pursue a common effort.
      

3. Foster commitment and knowledge sharing.

   1. Teams will achieve their collective goals if they stay committed to the common purpose. They must remain focused, and everyone must keep other ‘in check’, otherwise the team will not be successful. Power of Us versus the Power of One mentality with mutual accountabilities.
      

4. There are 3 categories of skills needed within a team.

   1. Technical skills, problem solving skills and communication skills. Every team member does not need to possess all, but the team must possess high levels of each of these and play to their strengths.
      

5. Top management must relentlessly push for excellent and set clear performance standards throughout.

   1. An involved top management presence will help the team overcome any sticking points, barriers or bottlenecks by leveraging the strengths of others. Feedback from top management is essential as well as openness, trust and holding themselves also accountable at parts. They must always push for excellence and point towards the North Star.
      

What's on your reading list? Have you read this book, and if so, what were your key learnings?