Management Tip of the Day: 3 Ways to Get the Most from Your Team

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile AUGUST 15, 2011 3 Ways to Get the Most from Your Team Contrary to popular belief, teams are not always the best way to get work done. Problems with coordination, competition, and motivation can undermine even the most well-designed and expertly-managed team. Here are three ways to give your team the best chance of success: Designate a naysayer. Groupthink is a dangerous byproduct of teamwork. Ask someone to play the role of devil's advocate to be sure ideas get challenged. Avoid double digits. Teams should be as small as possible—never have a team of more than nine people. Keep the team together. Avoid swapping members out. Established teams work better than those whose composition frequently changes. Today's Management Tip was adapted from Harvard Business Review on Building Better Teams. Buy the book to learn more about helping your team succeed » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Managing Upward: Harvard ManageMentor Online Module Harvard ManageMentor How well do you work with your supervisor? Gain insight into developing a mutually rewarding relationship, with skills for communicating and negotiating with your manager. Includes tips on presenting problems or opportunities to your supervisor and accepting responsibility for your proposed actions. One-year single user license. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS 3 Tips for Making a High-Stakes Decision Take a Nap at Work Convince Others to Embrace Risk 3 Things Your Company Should Do on Twitter 2 Ways You Shouldn't Pitch an Idea Cope with Your Incompetent Boss Avoid Overinvesting in IT 3 Ways to Help Consumers Express Themselves 3 Areas Your Organization Must Align 3 Don'ts of Persuasion BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Free HBR Interactive issue Download the iPad app HBR Reads, and get your issue with audio and video interviews and multimedia slideshows. Learn more » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2011 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)