Team Traps: Survival Stories and Lessons from Team Disasters, Near-Misses, Mishaps, and Other Near-Death Experiences

"To create a high-performing team, leaders must be prepared for a long and difficult journey. . . . At every step along the way there is the potential for the effort to become derailed and the team trapped in the organizational quicksand that surrounds it. For team leaders and team members alike, there are many hard lessons to learn." --From the Introduction to Team Traps

It has been proven repeatedly that participative, team-based organizations are more productive, cost-efficient, and flexible; produce better quality goods and services; and develop more loyal and motivated employees than their traditionally managed counterparts. But not every team experiment is a resounding success--far from it. Even the most productive and successful teams can fall victim to internal and external pressures, mistakes, or misunderstandings that disrupt the project, damage the team, or even endanger the organization as a whole.

In this penetrating and entertaining book, consultant and team expert Steven R. Rayner recounts true stories of unforeseen team disasters that occurred in a wide variety of organizations. You'll meet the team leader whose management style was so hands-off, he virtually disappeared; the team zealot who lost his job after his team developed one of the most successful products in his company's history; the highly successful team that nearly drove its company into bankruptcy; and many more.

Each story is followed by analysis, advice, and recommendations based on Rayner's years of team experience, gained while working with some of the most progressive organizations across North America. Team members and leaders will find innovative, workable guidelines on how to "trap-proof" their teams.

Whether your company is contemplating a conversion to teams, enmeshed in a team experiment, or reaping the benefits of successful team projects, Team Traps will open your eyes to hidden dangers and arm you with all the weapons you need to overcome them.

"Finally! --a practical real-world fieldbook of 'lessons learned.' This is a must read for people and organizations that are serious about successful, high-performing teams." --Bob Willard and Jeanne Hazell Leadership Development Team, IBM Canada

"In an era when most management material and 'team' books remain re-hashed evangelical fluff, Rayner's work is a powerful combination of the practical and the innovative, of concept and common sense. It is the requisite template for any executive, manager, or company implementing, or even considering, team-based structure." --Don Harrison President, IMA, Inc.

"Team Traps will prove to be an excellent handbook for all high-performance team leaders and members. It is a shame that many of today's managers don't recognize the phenomenal results they could achieve if only they would unleash the power of their workforce." --Joseph F. Burger Vice President and General Manager of Operations AAI Corporation

STEVEN R. RAYNER is Principal with Rayner & Associates, a consulting and training firm specializing in helping enterprises develop high-performing organizations. He has worked with companies such as IBM, Microsoft, Goodyear, Amdahl, and Paccar. Steve has addressed organizations such as the Ecology of Work, the Association of Quality and Participation, the American Society of Training and Development, and the IBM Canada Team Symposium. He is the author of Recreating the Workplace.