Creating Great Teams, Second Edition: How Self-Selection Lets People Excel (Pragmatic Programmers)

People are happiest and most productive if they can choose what they work on and who they work with. Self-selecting teams give people that choice. Build well-designed and efficient teams to get the most out of your organization, with step-by-step instructions on how to set up teams quickly and efficiently. This new edition highlights ten years of additional insights, real-world case studies, and adaptations for remote and hybrid environments. Learn from the successes and challenges faced by organizations worldwide as they implemented self-selection, and discover a practical roadmap to unlocking team potential and fostering a culture of autonomy and engagement.

Discover the transformative power of self-selection in building high-performing, motivated teams. Whether you're a manager seeking to revitalize your team, an HR professional looking to innovate recruitment, or a leader aiming to cultivate a more agile and responsive organization, this book offers the tools and insights necessary to create teams that excel.

Learn to implement a self-selection event, a revolutionary approach that forms teams based on mutual interests and strengths, leading to increased levels of engagement and productivity. Adapt self-selection processes for remote and hybrid environments. Use step-by-step guidance on preparing for, executing, and following up on self-selection events to ensure smooth transitions and high team performance. Address common obstacles in team formation with innovative solutions that foster dynamic, resilient, and high-performing teams.

This updated edition enriches the original groundbreaking concepts with a decade’s worth of fresh insights, expanded case studies, and strategies for navigating the complexities of remote and hybrid work environments. Through a blend of practical advice and real-world examples, the book equips you with everything you need to implement self-selection in your organization. From the initial groundwork and planning phases to executing self-selection events, and the crucial steps that follow, you'll learn how to create environments where people choose their teams, fostering a sense of ownership, satisfaction, and dynamism.

What You Need:

No specific software is required to implement the principles and strategies outlined in this book. However, access to basic collaborative and communication tools may enhance the self-selection process, especially in remote or hybrid settings. These could include digital whiteboards and video-conferencing platforms to facilitate discussions and decision-making. A foundational understanding of team dynamics and a willingness to embrace change are essential to apply the book's concepts effectively.

Sandy Mamoli is one of New Zealand’s leading agile coaches, a force of positive energy, and a former Olympic athlete. She works with leaders and teams, guiding them toward high performance with an approach that is hands-on, no-nonsense, and steeped in agile techniques. Sandy is a an international keynote speaker and a member of the global Agile Alliance board of directors. She is a high-achieving, goal-driven person who is also, perhaps unsurprisingly, really into CrossFit.

David Mole is a globally recognized author, speaker, and trainer specializing in high-performance teams. Originally from England and now based in New Zealand, he has spent his career mastering the art and science of leadership, team facilitation, and high performance. Renowned for his expert facilitation skills and coaching, David empowers emerging leaders to build cohesive, impactful teams. Beyond work, he’s a father, pug owner, and frequent half-marathon runner.