Extraordinary Groups

Why do some sets of individuals manage to excel, while most groups are teams in name only? This is the mystery that Geoffrey Bellman and Kathleen Ryan attempt to solve.
Starting from the observation of several dozen groups, not only in professional settings, but also among non-governmental organizations, as well as friends and families, the authors reveal what makes a group perform exceptionally well, namely, a mixture of shared vision and day-to-day behaviors. Of particular note is the importance of strong performance on all fronts, from setting objectives to defining the best type of team leadership, not to mention managing differences and learning continuously. Everything the team does must thus be focused on optimizing performance.
The authors have applied these observations to devise a “needs-based model” which can serve as a reference for any group that would like to boost its performance. Three facets must be tackled simultaneously. From an individual viewpoint, each team member must learn to accept their respective qualities and weaknesses, while doing their best to live up to their full potential and continuously improve. From a collective point of view, a common goal must be defined and the bonds between the team members developed. Finally, the environment must not be forgotten, because a team must keep its feet on the ground, while striving to have an impact on the surrounding context.
This book provides a valuable checklist for both team participants and facilitators.