Cambridge Business Association
The Best Team Wins
Book

The Best Team Wins

The New Science of High Performance

Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton
Simon & Schuster, 2018
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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Well Structured
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Best-selling authors Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton deconstruct the motivation of employees across the generations to help managers keep multigenerational teams performing smoothly. The former workforce of vertical banks of long-time employees must now become fluid, cross-functional teams. The authors discuss how different generations work and which management styles motivate them. This fast-moving, entertaining guide offers real-world case studies and surprising research into generational differences and parallels. The authors also offer 101 ideas for inspiring a multigenerational workforce. 

Summary

Astronaut Chris Hadfield created a smooth functioning, cross-generational team aboard the International Space Station by emphasizing kindness.

Managing diverse teams may be difficult on Earth, but it’s nothing compared with doing so in outer space. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield commanded the International Space Station for five months. His team included Americans and Russians encompassing a 25-year age gap, along with profound cultural and linguistic differences. In spite of those differences, Hadfield’s team members suffered no heated arguments during the five months they lived and worked together in space.

Prior to blastoff, Hadfield spent time with the crew members individually and as a group. To understand his Russian astronauts, Hadfield moved to Russia, learned the language and lived in state housing. He also lived in the United States. He made sure his team members knew each other’s families and understood their backgrounds. Hadfield had them role-play how they would handle certain situations, such as the death of a family member, that might happen ...

About the Authors

Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton co-founded The Culture Works, a global training firm. They are the bestselling co-authors of All In, The Carrot Principle, The Orange Revolution and What Motivates Me.

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