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These 15 common characteristics of "Great Groups" were formulated after a study of top teams that accomplished something important (ranging from the Disney Company to the Manhattan Project).

1. Greatness starts with superb people.

2. Great Groups and great leaders create each other.

3. Every Great Group has a strong leader.

4. The leaders of Great Groups love talent and know where to find it.

5. Great Groups are full of talented people who can work together.

6. Great Groups think they are on a mission from God.

7. Every Great Group is an island ­ but an island with a bridge to the mainland.

8. Great Groups see themselves as winning underdogs.

9. Great Groups always have an enemy.

10. People in Great Groups have blinders on.

11. Great Groups are optimistic, not realistic.

12. In Great Groups the right person has the right job.

13. The leaders of Great Groups give them what they need and free them from the rest.

14. Great Groups ship.

15. Great work is its own reward.

The source is ORGANIZATING GENIUS: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration, by Warren Bennis and Patricia Ward Biederman (Perseus Books, 1997).

Your conferees learn and apply a selection of these principles most applicable to THEIR field, profession, or organization, in two of the presentations described on this website under "Popular Topics":

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