To discover what differentiates various levels of team performance, where and how teams work best, and how to enhance their effectiveness, the authors talked with hundreds of people involved in more than fifty different teams. The "Wisdom of Teams" includes stories and case examples involving real people and situations and shows why teams will be the primary building blocks of company performance in the future. Commitment to performance goals and common purpose is more important to team success than team building Opportunities for teams exist in all parts of the organisation. Successful team leaders do not fit an ideal profile and are not necessarily the most senior people on the team.
Jon R. Katzenbach is a founder of Katzenbach Partners, consultants in the areas of team, leadership, and workforce performance. His published works include Real Change Leaders, Teams at the Top, The Work of Teams, and Peak Performance. Mr. Katzenbach and Mr. Smith are both formerly of McKinsey & Company.