MikeOverMetal

Read the latest research and insights on managing team dynamics, from Stanford GSB faculty, alumni, and guest speakers:

On building or forming your team:

“You should have a higher calling, a triple bottom line. Build your team around things that transcend making money.”  –Kenneth “Hap” Klopp (MBA ’66) stanford.io/1tSKyTh

Understand that “each personality on a small team can make a huge difference in swaying the dynamic of the entire team.” –Caroline Hu Flexer (MBA ’01) stanford.io/1tS2L7b

Build a team with complementary skills, the same value system, and compatible personalities. –Marcelo Manjon (MSx ‘13) stanford.io/1CcAolk

Build a team of people who you look up to and who are better than you at their functions. –Lecturer Rob Siegel (MBA ‘94) stanford.io/1Gq05Eg

Beware of ill-defined or overlapping roles within your cofounding team. –Alan Chiu (MSx ‘11) stanford.io/1wIwMXM

“Formalizing the team’s vision, roles, norms, work processes, and strategies can help keep a team on track.” –Professor Lindred Greer stanford.io/1uHSHP5

Organize retreats and team-building exercises to encourage trust, communication, and interdependence among coworkers. –Professor Daniel McFarland stanford.io/1nYgySK

What makes a team great? Trust and purpose: Faith in your colleagues and alignment behind a common goal and organization. –General Stanley McChrystal stanford.io/1vJv7vO

On leading and managing your team:

"Leaders must embody the spirit they want the team to adopt. People pick up on phoniness. They trust authenticity.” –Professor Joel Peterson stanford.io/1wGLUER

Stimulate innovation at work by giving all team members an equal shot at pitching new ideas –Professor Baba Shiv stanford.io/1tXU8nY

If a manager detects a conflict in a team, he or she should identify what is being discussed, who is involved and why. –Professor Lindred Greer stanford.io/1pcnimc

Be willing to rotate expertise and team roles at work so that people can engage in fresh experiences. –Professor Daniel McFarland stanford.io/1nYgySK

Leaders, recognize when your team members are facing a power struggle and help them resolve it quickly and respectfully –Professor Lindred Greer stanford.io/1sVoYfY

“When team members succeed, the best leaders step aside and allow them to take credit.” –Professor Joel Peterson stanford.io/1CmZ0W6