17 Laws of Teamwork

可惜暫時未有中譯本，於我來說，真的「事倍功半」。
John C. Maxwell, The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork (Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, 2001)，那17項規律是什麼？

1. The law of significance
One is too small a number to achieve greatness
2. The law of the big picture
The goal is more important than the role
3. The law of the niche
All players have a place where they add the most value
4. The law of mount everest
As the challenge escalates, the need for teamwork elevates
5. The law of the chain
The strength of the team is impacted by its weakest link
6. The law of the catalyst
Winning teams have players who make things happen
7. The law of the compass
Vision gives team members direction and confidence
8. The law of the bad apple
Rotten attitudes ruin a team
9. The law of countability
Teammates must be able to count on each other when it counts
10. The law of the price tag
The team fails to reach its potential when it fails to pay the price
11. The law of the scoreboard
The team can make adjustments when it knows where it stands
12. The law of the bench
Great teams have great depth
13. The law of identity
Shared values define the team
14. The law of communication
Interaction fuels action
15. The law of the edge
The difference between two equally talented teams is leadership
16. The law of high morale
When you’re winning, nothing hurts
17. The law of dividends
Investing in the team compounds over time

作者用好多實例和故事去說明這17個概念(可惜，17個是否太多？)，令我難忘的是作者以自身的經驗說明「壞蘋果」的理論。作者曾是籃球健將，在高中時加入了大學代表隊(varsity)的少年軍(JV)：

P.104-105
From the beginning of the season, the team suffered problems. There were two of us juniors on the varsity who had the talent to start for the team: John Thomas, who was the team’s best rebounder(籃板), and me, the best shooting guard(射手). We thought playing time should be based strictly on ability, and we figured we deserved our place on the team. The seniors, who had taken a backseat to the previous year’s seniors, thought we should be made to pay our dues and wait.

What began as a rivalry between the JV and the varsity the year before turned into a war between the juniors against the seniors. In games the seniors wouldn’t pass to juniors and vice versa. We judged our success not by whether the team won or lost, but by whether the juniors’ stats were better that those of the seniors…….

I don’t remember exactly who started the rivalry that split our team, but I do remember that John Thomas and I embraced it early on. I’ve always been a leader, and I did my share of influencing other team members. Unfortunately, I have to confess that I led the juniors in the wrong direction.

結果，他們當然渡過一個「災難性」的球季。
長大後的John Maxell，曾當過牧師，後來開了一間叫INJOY的公司，從事培訓與顧問的工作，建立造就了很多人，也寫了不少暢銷書(當中有幾本已譯為中文)。
當日，作者處理不了自己心裏和團隊中間的「壞蘋果」；今日，他以自己的經驗教導與建立其他人。