Team building

I remember the following definition of management:
1) make people dream
2) master the figures
3) be prepared to say thank you.

Let’s talk about dreams.

Over the last 15 years, I managed teams ranging in size from 3 to 50 people.
For me the ideal size is around 20 people.
I agree with Richard Branson when he suggested to create a new company every time you exceed 50 people.

I will add some personal advice:
Choose people between 20 and 40 years-old, a mix of energy and experience.
First learn about them, their fears, their passions. Talk to their emotions.
Try to combine their dreams with the dreams of the team to make it better.

If necessary, choose an enemy (like IBM for Apple, Microsoft for Netscape, etc. ...).
The bigger the enemy, the bigger the chance to develop your strengths.
It is like judo: use the negative energy to develop a positive one.

Don’t be afraid to follow big dreams.
The first limitation of a team is in the spirit of the captain.
And if you don’t achieve your dreams, just remember the following secret:

“The journey is the reward.”

Comments

[Mihai Crasneanu]

Actually, I also remember a well-known huge IT-services French company who used to create a new structure when they reached 50 people. But that time it was for taxes and unions purposes, quite far from the human aspects...

[laurent bervas]

You're right. lol.
What is the size of your company ?

[jeff]

I would also like to add "empower your people"...yes, people need to feel they are part of something great.

[Nick]

For any organization to succeed it must have good employees to power it, but employees can’t do it all by themselves, they need help. Employees today come from all types of diverse backgrounds with different types of education and experience. When you bring these different types of backgrounds and experience together as a team it can have a profound impact on the success of your organization.