Lessons from mars - synopsis

A unique insight into corporate team building within a global giant.

Lessons from Mars challenges the prevailing orthodoxy of corporate team building and offers an alternative framework along with a set of tools and techniques. Based on the author's 20-plus years of experience working with teams and six years of research specifically on Mars teams, the book offers a unique view into this closely-held private company and how it has unlocked the power of collaboration.

Reviews

There may be no "I" in team, but there is in “informative,” “interesting,” “innovative,” and “insightful” -- all apt descriptions of "Teams from Mars." Building on his nearly 30 years in the field, Carlos Valdes-Dapena takes a hard look at what passes for team building in the corporate world and finds it wanting. But this is more than a critique of conventional wisdom by a consultant peddling his own approach. After thoroughly dissecting the ineffective way most companies spend their money on team effectiveness, this book offers a cogent, research-based alternative that can be used by anyone managing groups of people. It turns out that while women are from Venus, valuable lessons in corporate management are from Mars, Inc. ~ Roy Sekoff, Founding Editor, The Huffington Post 

Mr. Valdes-Dapena debunks many myths, not the least of which is that collaboration is always the way to go. He indicates that collaboration is not always required and even when it is, not everyone must be included. He provides a well-grounded framework for determining when collaboration will add value, determining who needs to be involved, and how to achieve true collaboration.

This framework articulates the specific things a team can do to optimize their collaboration. It is a should read for corporate leaders and managers, members of teams, and anyone who works to help people get the best out of themselves and others.

- Col. Jack Beach, retired West Point Director of Psychology and Manager IBM Leadership strategy and Development.