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Team of Teams

New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World

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Team of Teams

By: General Stanley McChrystal, David Silverman, Tantum Collins, Chris Fussell
Narrated by: Paul Michael
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Summary

What if you could combine the agility, adaptability, and cohesion of a small team with the power and resources of a giant organization?

When General Stanley McChrystal took command of the Joint Special Operations Task Force in Iraq in 2003, he quickly realized that conventional military tactics were failing. The allied forces had a huge advantage in numbers, equipment and training - but none of the enemy's speed and flexibility.

McChrystal and his colleagues discarded a century of conventional wisdom to create a 'team of teams' that combined extremely transparent communication with decentralized decision-making authority.

Faster, flatter and more flexible, the task force beat back al-Qaeda.

In this powerful book, McChrystal and his colleagues show how the challenges they faced in Iraq can be relevant to any leader. Through compelling examples, the authors demonstrate that the 'team of teams' strategy has worked everywhere from hospital emergency rooms to NASA and has the potential to transform organizations large and small.

'A bold argument that leaders can help teams become greater than the sum of their parts' Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit

'An indispensable guide to organizational change' Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs

Business Communication Business Development & Entrepreneurship Career Success Leadership Management Management & Leadership Business Military Career Middle East
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Critic reviews

In addition to being a fascinating and colourful read, this book is an indispensable guide to organizational change
This is a bold argument that leaders can help teams become greater than the sum of their parts
Team of Teams is erudite, elegant, and insightful. An unexpected and surprising wealth of information and wonder, it provides a blueprint for how to cope with increasing complexity in the world. A must read for anyone who cares about the future - and that means all of us
All stars
Most relevant
I bought the audible version as I struggled with the paperback (the font is so small for such thought-provoking content). I'm glad I did so, as the messages in Team of Teams have helped my personal development as a leader. I thoroughly recommend the audible version to anyone who leads people, and wants to improve.

A must listen for anyone who leads people

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First rate book. Interesting stories with great leadership relevance to today’s business. Honest and self effacing, it shows how giant organisations can and need to change.
Well told. A very enjoyable learning

Not General at all

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General McCrystal's thought-provoking book is a tremendously well researched, captivating and vividly illustrated telling of his personal journey as a manager and leader as he grappled with how to transform US military special operations in Iraq.

I recommend this book to anyone who manages or leads large organisations and is struggling with a world that has evolved from merely complicated to complex. The fascinating insights and logic conveyed throughout the book put the modern world in context, and then offer some very practical ideas for how an organisation can shift to become effective in a complex operational environment.

What also emerged was General McChrystal's humanity and humbleness, and his deep pride at serving his nation. Thank you for your service.

Massively Improving Effectiveness by Transforming Beyond Taylorist Efficiency

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What did you like most about Team of Teams?

Some really good concepts integrated into the story. Well written but in parts, unnecessarily lengthy, particularly in the early chapters.

Any additional comments?

Really liked the end of chapter summary points, I’ll go back to these to recap the core content/messages.

Slow grower

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Initially I was wondering if I shouldn't have downloaded this title, but it had been recommended to me so I percavered and glad I did. Lots of stories how it can be achieved and lots of quotes I now use in my training, but little in the way of hands on how to advice. Still worth getting though.

A slow start, but got better

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