Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by Tantum Collins is a must-read for business and organizational leaders looking to maximize the effectiveness of their teams. This book sets the tone for how to take an organization, a team, or an individual’s ability to best maximize their impacts in a complex and fast-paced world. Collins introduces the idea of a “team of teams” and how this can revolutionize the way companies, organizations, and even individuals approach their s respective tasks.
Throughout the book, Collins explains in great detail what makes a team of teams successful. He focuses on the need for organizations and businesses to become “cross-functional teams” emphasizing the importance of different departments within the company working together towards a unified goal. This includes blurring the lines between organizational levels, combining departments and bringing together people with different skillsets. Additionally, he places a emphasis on the importance of leadership in order for the team of teams to succeed. He places emphasis on transparent communication and shared identity amongst the team as well as providing adequate time for members of the team to connect. Additionally, he stresses the importance of agility and flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing environment that businesses and organizations must face. Ultimately he concludes that those who want to remain ahead of the competition need a “team of teams” mindset.
By reading this book, organizations and businesses will gain a clear understanding of how to increase their efficiency and effectiveness. Collins emphasizes that through the need for what he calls “adaptive collaboration”, organizations and businesses must focus on openness, leadership, and collaboration in order to remain successful in this complex world.
The book provides several case studies and examples of successful “team of teams” including the military and Apple. Collins argues that these organizations use a combination of “a set of core principles and loose structure” to achieve their goals. He then goes on to give several methods that organizations and businesses can use to expand their abilities to better succeed in today’s complex environment. These methods include being open to change, maintaining a shared identity, having a focused vision, developing a plan and taking action.
Ultimately, Collins provides the reader with a comprehensive resource to craft a “team of teams” within their respective organizations and teams. He provides valuable insight on the importance of collaboration between different departments, blurring the lines between organizational levels and having agile and adaptive leadership. For any business or organization looking to maximize their success in a complex world, Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by Tantum Collins is a must read.
