Collaborative Intelligence: Using Teams to Solve Hard Problems (BK Business)

Intelligence professionals are commonly viewed as solo operators.  But these days intelligence work is mostly about collaboration.  Interdisciplinary and even inter-organizational teams are necessary to solve the really hard problems intelligence professionals face. Tragically, these teams often devolve into wheel-spinning, contentious assemblies that get nothing done.  Or members may disengage from a team if they find its work frustrating, trivial, or a waste of their time.  Even teams with a spirit of camaraderie may take actions that are flat-out wrong.

But there is also good news. This book draws on recent research findings as well as Harvard Professor Richard Hackman’s own experience as an intelligence community researcher and advisor to show how leaders can create an environment where teamwork flourishes.  Hackman identifies six enabling conditions – such as establishing clear norms of conduct and providing well-timed team coaching – that increase the likelihood that teams will be effective in any setting or type of organization.. Although written explicitly for intelligence, defense, crisis management, and law enforcement professionals it will also be valuable for improving team success in all kinds of leadership, management, service, and production teams in business, government, and nonprofit enterprises. 

 

Collaboration and team work is problematic among intelligence professionals because they work under conditions that necessitate covert operations and classified information. Hackman (social and organizational psychology, Harvard U.) explains how to create an environment to facilitate teamwork, using six principles related to people, purpose, standards of conduct, a supportive organizational context, and team-focused coaching. While the book is written especially for intelligence professionals and others in law enforcement, defense, and crisis management, the methods described can also be used by private sector businesses and nonprofit organizations. The author is a member of the US Intelligence Science Board. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)