Teams That Work by Tannenbaum, Scott I. & Salas, Eduardo' Summary
Overview of Teams That Work
Unlock the science of exceptional teamwork with "Teams That Work" - distilling 35+ years of research from NASA, healthcare, and military settings into seven evidence-based drivers. Ever wondered why some teams thrive under pressure while others crumble? This practical guide reveals what elite organizations already know.
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The Teamwork Revolution: Why Most Teams Fail Despite Our Best Intentions
When Google launched Project Aristotle to uncover the secret of effective teams, they discovered something surprising: what matters isn't who's on the team, but how they work together. This insight forms the foundation of "Teams That Work," now required reading at top business schools worldwide. The timing couldn't be more critical - today's executives spend 70% of their time in team settings, up from just 30% two decades ago. Yet despite this shift, the reality is sobering: nearly 75% of employees report experiencing ineffective teamwork, and less than a quarter consider their own teams very effective. This disconnect isn't just uncomfortable - it's costly. Team-related problems contribute to half of business startup failures and are among the leading causes of hospital safety issues. After studying teams for over 30 years - from astronauts and surgical teams to corporate boards - researchers identified seven consistent drivers that determine effectiveness across virtually all contexts. A truly effective team isn't just any group working together. It requires sustained performance (consistently delivering results), resilience (bouncing back from setbacks), and vitality (maintaining energy for future challenges). The seven drivers are: Capability (having the right mix of knowledge and skills); Cooperation (trust, psychological safety, and shared commitment); Coordination (behaviors like backing each other up and synchronizing efforts); Communication (effective information exchange); Cognition (shared understanding about priorities and roles); Conditions (the context in which teams operate); and Coaching (leadership functions that guide the team). These drivers are deeply interconnected - weakness in one area often cascades into others, while strengths can create virtuous cycles of improvement.
The Capability Paradox: Talent, Trust, and Team Dynamics
Coordination and Communication: The Operational Heartbeat of Teams
Shared Cognition: The Invisible Force Behind Seamless Teamwork
Team Leadership: From Command to Enablement
Team Dynamics in Action: Practical Applications Across Contexts
From Knowledge to Action: Building Teams That Truly Work
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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