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Extraordinary Groups
Book

Extraordinary Groups

How Ordinary Teams Achieve Amazing Results

Geoffrey M. Bellman and Kathleen D. Ryan
Jossey-Bass, 2009
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Editorial Rating

7

Recommendation

Consider the great things that small groups have accomplished. The 1969 Apollo 11 crew, the first humans on the moon, comprised only three members: Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin Jr. In 1976, three guys – Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne – formed Apple Computer. In this necessary guide to groupthink, authors Geoffrey Bellman and Kathleen Ryan contend that small, exceptional groups – not big organizations – account for many major achievements. They describe such teams, discuss what makes them special, and offer suggestions on how to benefit from small group agility and creativity. getAbstract finds that this book is a useful blueprint for leaders who want to develop and sustain superior small teams.

Summary

The Advantages of Small Groups Over Large Organizations

Case history: In 1996, after graduation from college, Barb joined 11 other individuals to organize a world conference about microcredit involving 137 countries. The goal was to help millions of abjectly poor families across the globe. Barb and her colleagues had only eight months to organize the conference. The logistics were challenging. Barb recalls juggling phone calls from the White House, Angola’s first lady and Peru’s president.

Barb and her colleagues received only minimum compensation. However, despite the long hours and low pay, they accomplished their goals and more. They hoped to get 600 attendees at the conference; 3,000 participated. Those present made firm commitments about granting microcredit loans. Thanks to Barb and her co-workers, more than 100 million poor families received low-cost loans. These families represent 500 million individuals – half of the most destitute people in the world. This group experience was magical for Barb and her colleagues. She put it this way: “We were a squad of 12 people...Our small voice engaged the world.”

Transformation

Barb and her co-workers were...

About the Authors

Geoffrey Bellman wrote The Consultant’s Calling. Kathleen Ryan is the co-author of The Courageous Messenger and Driving Fear Out of the Workplace.

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