Making the Team: A Guide for Managers (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

by Leigh L. Thompson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A perfect blend of theory and practice, Making the Team unites cutting-edge research on groups with practical management principles. The clear, step-by-step approaches offered in this book will prove especially useful for managers-in-training as well as seasoned executives. The book is organized into 3 primary tasks for the leader/manager: 1) Accurately assessing and improving team performance; 2) Managing the internal dynamics of teams (diversity, conflict, and creativity); and 3) Optimally leveraging the team within the larger organization. For Human Resource employees and trainers, consultants, and all levels of educators.

From the Back Cover
A perfect blend of theory and practice, Making the Team unites cutting-edge research on groups with practical management principles. The clear, step-by-step approaches offered in this book will prove especially useful for managers-in-training as well as seasoned executives. The book is organized into 3 primary tasks for the leader/manager: 1) Accurately assessing and improving team performance; 2) Managing the internal dynamics of teams (diversity, conflict, and creativity); and 3) Optimally leveraging the team within the larger organization. For Human Resource employees and trainers, consultants, and all levels of educators.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (July 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131416588
• ISBN-13: 978-0131416581
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #299,481 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making the Team Makes the Grade!, January 15, 2000

By	Howard E. Aldrich (Chapel Hill, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers (Paperback)

Whether you work in teams, design them, or study them, you will find much of value in this book. Drawing on a wealth of social and behavioral science findings, Leigh Thompson shows the advantages, and the pitfalls, of getting things done through teamwork. Clearly written, with many case examples, Thompson builds on her research and consulting experiences to create a complex picture of what makes groups tick. I particularly liked her explanation of how to foster creativity in teams, as well as how to deal with the inevitable conflicts that arise. She notes that teams are not a panacea. However, under the right conditions, properly organized teams contribute substantially to their organizations. If you're dissatisfied with the way things are going in your organization, this book would make a great (anonymous?) gift for your boss!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Price for "External Evironments", April 19, 2001

By	Roy Lynn Godkin (Beaumont, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers (Paperback)

Leigh Thompson has done it again. Like few others this Northwestern University scholar takes current research and puts it on the page like few other experts. I particularly found the sections on dealing with conflict within teams, creativity, and social capital (in the External Evironment section) worth reading. I keep this book with me when I am meeting with a team. I use the individual chapters as a guide for activities there. If you have an interest in teams, Leigh Thompson is the one expert you should include in your library.

1.0 out of 5 stars Not up to standard, April 16, 2007

By	Jim Thornhill - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was a required text, otherwise I never would have read it. The book is full of inconstancies, bad literary technique, and it takes to many pages to cover not enough material. The authors personal prejudices are obvious. There are better books on teamwork available.