Effective Teamwork
Abstract
<p>Michael West is one of the best known and received writers on the topic of teamwork. A short time ago his book Building Team-Based Working: A Practical Guide to Organizational Transformation written together with Lynn Markiewicz was reviewed in this journal by the same author. That book aims at organizations about to embark on the process of team building, and is designed primarily as a handbook for managers with many checklists, handouts, tools, and helpful advice. While it was considered very positive, one point of criticism was the not very abundant references to studies from scientific research to support the reader who wanted to go deeper into the topic. The present book Effective Teamwork , which is reviewed here, however, fills exactly that gap, offering empirical support from scientifically sound research in addition to the keen and thoughtful insights and practical hints. Taken together, these make it one of the most valuable sources of well written information currently available.</p><p>In 11 chapters West covers the topics of: Do Teams Work?, Creating Teams, Leading Teams, Team Building, Team Vision, Being Part of a Team, Aiming at Excellence in Team Work, Creative Problem Solving, Team Support, Conflict in Teams, Teams in