X-Teams

In this summary you will learn

• How to build a team that reaches beyond its boundaries
• How to implement “X-team” processes and principles
• Why extreme execution is a core advantage in a competitive world
• How a successful team project can have a positive impact on all levels of your organization

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Why you should read X-Teams

Years of research show that a team that focuses solely on internal team building is likely to fail. The “X-team” emphasizes external activity, and a flexible membership and leadership structure. Deborah Ancona and Henrik Bresman write that such a team is not only more likely to succeed, but will often exceed managerial expectations. This book, divided into three sections, tells you why some teams fail, how to create one that works and how to manage it through every phase of a project. The authors make liberal use of examples from major corporations to illustrate all their principles. The terminology is somewhat proprietary, but the approach makes a great deal of sense. getAbstract recommends this book to managers and team members alike.

About the Authors

Deborah Ancona is the Seley Distinguished Professor of Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management. She is an expert on distributed leadership and a consultant for major companies. Henrik Bresman is assistant professor of organizational behavior at INSEAD. He focuses on high-performance teams, innovation and leadership.