Results. My primary motivation for reading business books is specifically to learn how the world's most successful businesses, leaders, and teams are producing breakthrough results. "Breakthrough Teamwork" delivers. For example, if you want to instantly improve your company's creative output and your facilitation skills, turn directly to page 81 and read "Structured Brainstorming Versus Unstructured Brainstorming." I've personally used this simple procedure to boost the creativity of my clients, coworkers, and family members. And that's not the only idea I've successfully borrowed from the book!
The author, Dr. Dennis Romig, has distilled 20 years' work experience as a businessman, consultant, and applied psychologist into a set of 10 teamwork skills that have been proven to produce results in companies such as Motorola, Advanced Mico Devices, and Amoco. The origin and procedure for each of the skills is backed by hard data studies, which Dr. Romig defines as studies that have been tried in a real business, have generated real business results, and have been compared to a control group. After having read shelves full of popular business books chronicling the latest fads, I really appreciated Dr. Romig's hard data approach. To me, it seems that many of the business practices prescribed in the business books and journals I've read are based upon a single case, studies with college students, or the imagination of an enthusiastic author -- not the most credible business sources. My conclusion: Suggestions in most business books are seldom effective outside the context of the book.
I highly recommend "Breakthrough Teamwork." It's one of a handful of books I've read that contains scores of immediately applicable ideas. Though it's not quite as metaphorical as some of the popular business books, it's filled with cogently organized, results-bearing suggestions.