X-teams: How to Build Teams That Lead, Innovate and Succeed Authors: Deborah Ancona and Henrik Bresman Publication Date: May 17, 2007 Description: Why do good teams fail? Very often, argue Deborah Ancona and Henrik Bresman, it is because they are looking inward instead of outward. Based on years of research examining teams across many industries, Ancona and Bresman show that traditional team models are falling short, and that what's needed - and what works - is a new brand of team that emphasizes external outreach to stakeholders, extensive ties, expandable tiers, and flexible membership. The authors highlight that X-teams not only are able to adapt in ways that traditional teams aren't, but that they actually improve an organization's ability to produce creative ideas and execute them - increasing the entrepreneurial and innovative capacity within the firm. What's more, the new environment demands what the authors call "distributed leadership," and the book highlights how X-teams powerfully embody this idea. Author Bios: Deborah Ancona is the Seley Distinguished Professor of Management at MIT s Sloan School of Management, and faculty director of the MIT Leadership Center. Henrik Bresman is Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior at INSEAD. He received his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also holds a degree in Economics (MSc) from the Stockholm School of Economics. Other works by these authors: HBR Articles Contact: publicity@hbr.org

Graduating student Benjamin Thomas from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, shares what his Penn State degree means to him at the Penn State World Campus and Continuing Education Fall 2009 Graduation Open House. Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts.