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Why do some teams and organizations collaborate so effectively? And what makes this type of collaboration so powerful in terms of both exceptional creativity and efficiency? Based on the experience of companies like BP, Nokia and Linux, the author proposes a “formula” to foster the emergence of collective intelligence and creativity, by motivating people to reach across boundaries, while working productively toward shared objectives.
Chapter after chapter, this book describes the various components. Chapter 3 explains why developing the spirit of collaboration is essential to smooth cross-company relations. Chapter 4 details what the author means by “reaching across borders.” In particular, she goes into different personality types and the practices that tend to foster innovation outside the team. Chapter 5 underlines the fact that teams need a shared vision and goal to move in the same direction. Finally, Chapter 6 reminds us that to produce something concrete, teams must not only be able to generate a creative spark, but also organize work efficiently. The need to synchronize efforts among participants who are often geographically remote from one another is specifically emphasized.
In the rest of the book (chapters 6 and 7), Lynda Gratton suggests ways that we, as leaders and managers, can help to foster the emergence of this collective fervor.