Book SummaryThe 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, by John C. Maxwell

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork

Whether they’re winning sports championships or engineering technological breakthroughs, teams can accomplish amazing things. But why do some teams succeed when others fail? According to leadership expert John C. Maxwell, building a high-performing team requires more than getting a group of people together and hoping for the best. In The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, Maxwell provides 17 pieces of advice compiled over a lifetime of leadership research to help you recruit and organize the right people, align their efforts with a common goal, and create a positive...

The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork Summary Why Teamwork Matters

Maxwell writes that if you want to achieve great things, you need to build a team. He argues that no one can accomplish anything significant by themselves and that all remarkable achievements require team effort. This is because teams have more energy, resources, knowledge, and perspectives than an individual acting alone. They can leverage their collective strengths to overcome obstacles and innovate solutions. In other words, no matter what you aspire to do, you’ll accomplish more by having a team, whether that team is your family, church group, sports team, or colleagues.

(Shortform note: Some experts argue that teams aren’t always more effective than individuals—it depends on the nature and complexity of the task. For simple tasks, individual effort often prevails, as group work can slow down the process. However, for more complex tasks, groups have an advantage over individuals because they can combine different skills, perspectives, and ideas to find better solutions more quickly. Ambitious goals will likely require both complex and simple...

The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork Summary How to Build a Winning Team

Maxwell writes that a winning team is a group of people who unite under a common identity and who trust and support one another to achieve shared goals. In this section, we’ll discuss how to build such a team by selecting the individuals with the right skills and attitudes, creating shared visions and values, and nurturing a culture of trust and positivity.

Assemble the Right Team for Your Goal

To build a team that can achieve great things, you need to have the right people on it. Maxwell suggests you select team members based on the type of goals and challenges you face. Getting clear on what you’re trying to accomplish and what obstacles you’ll likely face will help you identify people who have the right skills, attitudes, and values for your team.

For example, if you’re venturing into new or unknown territory (like founding a startup), you’d likely benefit from having a creative team. In contrast, if you’re facing a high-stakes challenge (like a sensitive negotiation), you may want team members with track records of relevant experience.

(Shortform note: Maxwell recommends you build a team based on your unique goals and challenges, but other leadership experts...

Shortform Exercise: Structure Your Team for Success

To build a winning team, you must have the right people in the right roles. Reflect on your team’s needs and how you can better structure your team for success.

Write down the goals you hope to achieve with your team. What are some potential challenges you expect to face along the way?