In Team Genius, Rich Karlgaard and Michael Malone explain what business leaders can learn from “the new science of high-performing organizations.” For example, in the Introduction, they identify and discuss four imperatives that every team leader must recognize:
“First, your teams must be capable of surviving whatever today’s brutal economy throws in their path.”
Comment: True but of equal importance, in my opinion, are the team members’ willingness and ability to persevere in their efforts despite internal resistance to communication and cooperation.
“Second, your teams must be designed to work with, not against, your members’ brain structures.”
Comment: Recent research leaves no doubt that humans are by nature social and “genetically wired for teams.”
“Third, your teams must be given the support they need to reach their full potential — rather than putting too much faith in any one individual in your organization.”
Comment: Business teams and athletic teams share much in common. For example, both need leadership, instruction, disciplined practice, and equipment and facilities…as well as strong encouragement.
“Fourth, the size and composition of your teams matter greatly when setting strategic goals.”
Comment: Most teams that fail are too large and/or have redundant functions. Smaller teams — especially pairs — get more and better work done in less time with fewer bruised egos.
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I wholeheartedly agree with Rich Karlgaard and Michael Malone’s concluding remarks: “The teams in which we work, and the teams we lead, may not change the world. But they can make the world a better place, make our company (and everyone who depends on it) more successful and secure, and give ourselves and our teammates a more rewarding and fulfilling career. And most of all, we can increase the odds of our team’s success. Given all of that, why shouldn’t we want to apply the latest discoveries and experiences about teams to our own lives and careers? Why wouldn’t we want to create and be part of a team of genius?”
It is no coincidence that most of the companies annually ranked among those that are most highly admired and best to work for are also annually ranked among those that are most profitable and have the greatest cap value in their industry. With rare exception, everyone involved in the given enterprise nourishes and strengthens a workplace culture within which personal growth and professional development are most likely to thrive.
Each of the aforementioned companies, therefore, can be viewed as a team of organizational genius. If the same cannot be said about your workplace culture, you need to read this book and recruit as many other people as you can to read it, also. Then get together as a team and agree on what must be done.
If you doubt that much of value can be accomplished by these efforts, consider this observation by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”