Team Genius

About the Author

Rich Karlgaard is the publisher of Forbes magazine, where he writes a featured column, Innovation Rules, covering business and leadership issues. He is co-founder of Upside magazine, Garage Technology Partners, and Silicon Valley's premier public business forum, the 7,500-member Churchill Club. He is also the author of Life 2.0 and The Soft Edge: Where Great Companies Find Lasting Success.

Michael S. Malone is one of the world's best-known technology writers. A veteran newspaper reporter and columnist, magazine editor, and entrepreneur, he is the author or coauthor of nearly 20 award-winning books, notably the best-selling The Virtual Corporation, Bill & Dave, and The Intel Trinity.

Main Idea

Team Genius: The New Science of High-Performing Organizations by Rich Karlgaard and Michael S. Malone explores the intricacies of team dynamics and the science behind creating high-performing teams. The book delves into the critical components that make up effective teams, highlighting the importance of deliberate team design, cognitive diversity, and the optimal team sizes that drive success. Through vivid case studies, scientific research, and real-life examples, Karlgaard and Malone provide a comprehensive guide for managers and executives to harness the true potential of their teams.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Change Kills — If You Don't Have the Right Teams
• The Magic Numbers Behind Teams
• The New Science of Teams
• The Power of Difference
• Managing Teams to Genius
• The Power of Pairs
• Trios — The Plutonium of Teams
• Four and More — The Wild Bunch
• The Birth and Life of Teams
• The Authors

Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for understanding why successful teams are fundamental to powerful organizations. Karlgaard and Malone argue that the world's most creative and impactful work is done by informal teams rather than formal organizational structures. They emphasize the need to systematically and scientifically study teams to prepare for the rapidly evolving world.

The authors present a compelling case for why understanding team dynamics is crucial in today's fast-paced environment. They point out that while teams are integral to both professional success and personal happiness, they are often formed by chance rather than design. This book aims to change that by offering managers and executives the tools they need to create and manage high-performing teams deliberately.

Change Kills — If You Don't Have the Right Teams

The authors discuss the rapid pace of technology-driven change and its impact on organizations. They highlight that the key to navigating this change lies in the people and how they form and re-form into teams. Maneuverability, or the ability to quickly adapt to new challenges, is essential for sustained success.

“Humans run to a much slower evolutionary clock than our inventions.” — Rich Karlgaard and Michael S. Malone

The rapid acceleration of technological advancements requires organizations to be highly adaptable. The authors argue that the difference between success and failure in this environment hinges on the ability of teams to maneuver quickly and effectively. This maneuverability is not just about evolving rapidly but also about the capacity to pivot and reverse direction without losing cohesion.

maneuverability include:

1. A small, cohesive team at the center of a large organization that can execute decisions rapidly.
2. Empowered leadership with trust from team members.
3. Organizations like Apple, which have demonstrated the ability to pivot and innovate continuously.

The Magic Numbers Behind Teams

Research into team dynamics reveals that the optimal team sizes are crucial for effective management and productivity. The authors reference the span of control, which typically ranges from six to ten people, and Dunbar's number, which suggests that 150 individuals is the maximum number for maintaining meaningful social relationships.