The Wisdom of Teams	McKinsey consultants talk about how to build high-performance teams in this book, which begins by focusing upon the danger of qualifying teams as any group of individuals working on a common task, then shows that the team can be a particularly effective configration when used appropriately and in accordance with certain strict rules. The book also offers many practical tips on how to apply these conclusions in the real world.
Jon R. Katzenbach and Douglas K. Smith, Harvard Business School Press, 1992.
The Fith Discipline	Based on the premise that a learning organization can only be developed under certain conditions, the book explains the importance of various factors, such as the ability to learn in teams. The author holds that companies hoping to acquire this particular skill must develop two types of know-how: the ability to communicate and temporarily put aside the desire to be right; control over defensive reflexes, which provoke counter-productive behavior when faced with opposition.
Peter Senge, Doubleday, 1993.
Power Up	Many executives are disappointed with the way their top management team functions, and ask themselves, «Why don't executives simply mind their own domain of responsibility? » «Why are so many decisions made on the sidelines, without any chance for discussion? » The authors show traditional leadership precepts are behind many of the ills suffered by these teams. Based on this analysis, they describe an alternative approach involving shared leadership, and offer many tips on how to successfully negotiate this difficult but promising path.
David L. Bradford and Allan R. Cohen, Wiley, 1998.
When Sparks Fly	Creativity is often considered to be an individual phenomenon, based on mysterious personal abilities. For this reason, creativity is rarely managed proactively. When Sparks Fly shows that this is a mistake. Creativity can and must be a team-based effort. Based on numerous research findings, the authors help readers understand this process and provide guidelines for efficiently managing it.
Dorothy A. Leonard and Walter C. Swap, Harvard Business School Press, 1999.
The Human Equation	Does it pay to invest in Human Resource? The author, a Stanford University professor, presents the conclusions of several studies on this important theme, which all concur that it is indeed profitable to invest in employee skills, motivation, and quality of life. The book explains why and gives ideas on how to apply these conclusions.
Jeffrey Pfeffer, Harvard Business School Press, 1998.