Effective Teamwork
Practical Lessons from Organizational Research
Michael A. West(Author)
Wiley-Blackwell (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Published on 9. December 2003
Book
Hardback
232 pages
978-1-4051-1058-7 (ISBN)
Description
Most organizations see effective teamwork as essential to their success, but find that the reality of working in teams presents many practical difficulties. This text, based on rigorous research evidence, provides all the tools necessary to help teams overcome these difficulties, including case studies, discussion questions, exercises and questionnaires. Drawing on the latest psychological research, Effective Teamwork examines the factors which affect team functioning both positively and negatively. For the second edition, the text has been updated to include:- New chapters on creating teams and conflicts in teams. New sections on introducing teamwork, on virtual team working and team working across national boundaries, on emotions in teams, and on trust within and between teams. More material on team leadership, on the sorts of tasks that are best done by teams, and on the relationship between working in teams and mental health.
Reviews / Votes
"A marvellous work of integration, retaining the authoritative, imaginative and intensely practical character of the first edition, this new edition has incorporated the very latest insights into a complex and challenging area with great clarity. It is full of interesting ideas and applications, lucidly expounded and creatively formatted for students and practitioners alike." Nigel Nicholson, London Business School "In a very accessible style this book conveys essential research about why teams are the way they are. On this strong foundation it offers clear prescriptions for making teams better - for their members, for the organisations in which they work. This deep-rooted advice-giving is enlivened with lots of first-hand wisdom, proving West to be the rare master of research and practice." Rick Guzzo Ph.D., Worldwide Partner, Mercer Human Resource Consulting "The second edition of Effective Teamwork is a gem - easy to read, comprehensive, and authoritative. Mike West covers all of the main issues of team formation, functioning, innovation, and performance from a distinctly psychological perspective. Essential reading for any introductory course into teamworking on BSc Management, MBA modules, or MSc in Occupational Psychology." Neil Anderson, PhD, Professor of Organizational Psychology, University of Amsterdam "I found this book an excellent read. It manages to pack in all the relevant information and ideas that would be useful to a busy line manager looking for all the critical points that would help to develop or maintain a team. It also cuts through a lot of the mythology associated with "what makes a good team" and I'm sure most line managers and HR professionals will find it valuable." Roger Williams, Operations Strategy Manager, United Utilities PLC "Effective Teamwork is applied psychology at its best, without jargon, self-importance or intellectual pomposity. West is never guilty of 'overcomplicating what are relatively simple aspects of human behaviour'. His brief asides on complex topics such as strategy, listening, emotional intelligence, leadership and trust are absolute gems, conveying significant wisdom in a single paragraph. Fundamental to great teamworking is 'practice and reflect', a mantra that West has honed to perfection. Although the book is immensely rich in content, it is also easy to assimilate ... If you have any interest whatsoever in the pursuit of shared human endeavour in business, read Effective Teamwork. This is an indispensable reference work by an expert. It is also an extremely good read." Janey Howl, founding partner of First Class Coach, The Psychologist, October 2004, Vol. 17, No. 10More details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
3
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
476 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4051-1058-7 (9781405110587)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Michael A. West
Effective Teamwork
Book
01/1994
BPS Blackwell
€38.56
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Content
Introduction Task and Social Elements Of Team Functioning Exercise 1: The Team Reflexivity Questionnaire1. Do Teams Work? Key Learning Points Why Work In Teams? The Paradox Of TeamworkWhat Is A Team? What Do Teams Do? How Can We Build Effective Teams? Exercise 2: Measuring The Effectiveness Of Your Team's PerformanceConclusions Key Revision Points Further Reading2. Creating Teams: Key Learning Points The Stages Of Team DevelopmentPersonality and AbilityTeamwork Skills Exercise 3: Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes For TeamworkDiversity Of Team MembersImplications Of Diversity Key Revision Points Further Reading3. Leading Teams: Key Learning Points The Three Team Leadership TasksThe Three Elements Of Leading TeamsLeading A TeamManaging A TeamCoaching A TeamTrip Wires For Team LeadersDeveloping Team Leadership SkillsSelf-Managing Or Self-Leading Work Teams Key Revision Points Further Reading4. Team Building: Key Learning Points Types Of Team Building InterventionsTeam Start-UpRegular Formal ReviewsAddressing Known Task Related ProblemsIdentifying What The Problems AreSocial Process Intervention Exercise 3: Satisfaction With Team Social ProcessesRole Clarification and Negotiation Exercise 4: Role Negotiation Exercise Conclusions Key Revision Points Further Reading5. Team Vision: Key Learning Points Defining Team VisionThe Dimensions Of Team VisionThe Elements Of Team VisionStrategy For Teams Key Revision Points Further Reading6. Participating In Teams: Key Learning Points The Elements Of Team Participation Exercise 5: Information Sharing In The TeamGroup Decision-MakingThe Step-Ladder Technique For Decision-Making Exercise 6: A Short Form Of The Step-Ladder TechniqueSafety In Teams Key Revision Points 7. Aiming For Excellence In Team Work: Key Learning Points GroupthinkTeam Pressures To ConformObedience To AuthorityTeam Defence MechanismsA Commitment To Excellence and Task OrientationTask Focus/Constructive ControversyDevil's AdvocacyNegative BrainstormingStake-Holder AnalysisMinority Group Influence In Teams Key Revision Points Further Reading8. Creative Problem-Solving: Key Learning Points Team Innovation Exercise 7: How Innovative Is Your Team At Work? Creative Problem-Solving In TeamsTechniques For Promoting Creativity Within A TeamUsing Creativity Techniques In Group MeetingsOther Influences On Team Innovation Exercise 8: How Innovative Are You At Work? Key Revision Points Further Reading9. Team Support: Key Learning Points The Emotional Life Of TeamsSocial SupportSupport For Team Member Growth and DevelopmentBalance Between Work and Home LifeSocial Climate Exercise 9: A Team Exercise To Promote Job EnrichmentConclusions Key Revision Points Further Reading10. Conflict In Teams: Key Learning Points Team ConflictsTypes Of Team ConflictResolving Team ConflictsOrganizational Causes Of ConflictInterpersonal ConflictsDifficult Team Members Key Revision Points Further Reading11. Teams In Organizations: Key Learning Points Introducing Team Based WorkingThe Relationship Between Teams and Their OrganizationsWhat Do Teams Need From Their Organizations? The Role Of Human Resource Management (HRM)What Do Organizations Require From Teams? Bridging Across TeamsConclusions Key Revision Points Further ReadingBibliography Index