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Background Note | HBS Case Collection | September 2005 (Revised March 2009)

Developing an Effective Living Group

by Michael Beer, John J. Gabarro and Michael L. Tushman

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Abstract

Discusses the importance of living room groups (eight participants who share a living room) in Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program developing into effective learning groups. The diversity of the groups is a strength, but only a conscious and concerted effort of group development can harness that strength. Outlines five steps in group development each team must take. Suggests that action learning, the skill the learning group must master to become effective, is also essential in their back-home organizations, given global competition and efficient markets. A rewritten version of an earlier note.

Keywords: Executive Education; Groups and Teams; Competency and Skills; Learning; Diversity; Growth and Development;

Format: Print 6 pages EducatorsPurchase

Citation:

Beer, Michael, John J. Gabarro, and Michael L. Tushman. "Developing an Effective Living Group." Harvard Business School Background Note 406-051, September 2005. (Revised March 2009.)

Related Work

  1. Background Note | HBS Case Collection | August 2006 (Revised March 2007)

    Developing an Effective Living Group in the General Management Program

    Michael Beer and John J. Gabarro

    Discusses the importance of living room groups (eight participants who share a living room) at Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program developing into effective learning groups. The diversity of the groups is a strength, but only a conscious and concerted effort of group development can harness that strength. Outlines five steps in group development each team must take. Suggests that action learning, the skill the learning group must master to become effective, is also essential in their back-home organizations, given global competition and efficient markets.

    Keywords: Groups and Teams;

    Citation:

    Beer, Michael, and John J. Gabarro. "Developing an Effective Living Group in the General Management Program." Harvard Business School Background Note 407-022, August 2006. (Revised March 2007.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsFind at Harvard Related

About the Authors

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Michael Beer
Cahners-Rabb Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus

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John J. Gabarro
UPS Foundation Professor of Human Resource Management, Emeritus

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Michael L. Tushman
Baker Foundation Professor, Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, Charles B. (Tex) Thornton Chair of the Advanced Management Program
Organizational Behavior

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More from these Authors

  • Article | Harvard Business Review (website) | January 4, 2019

    How Companies Can Balance Social Impact and Financial Goals

    Marya L. Besharov, Wendy K. Smith and Michael Tushman

    Citation:

    Besharov, Marya L., Wendy K. Smith, and Michael Tushman. "How Companies Can Balance Social Impact and Financial Goals." Harvard Business Review (website) (January 4, 2019).  View Details
    CiteView Details Read Now Related
  • Case | HBS Case Collection | May 2000 (Revised December 2018)

    SMA: Micro-Electronic Products Division (A)

    Michael Beer, Michael Tushman, Michael Beer and Michael Tushman

    The Micro-Electronic Products Division of SMA has financial and organizational problems. Conflict and lack of coordination exist between functional groups. Employees do not have a sense of direction and morale is low. The cause of these problems is found in a change in business environment followed by change in organization and management. A rewritten version of an earlier case.

    Keywords: Change Management; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Culture; Organizational Structure; Conflict and Resolution; Business Strategy;

    Citation:

    Beer, Michael, and Michael Tushman. "SMA: Micro-Electronic Products Division (A)." Harvard Business School Case 400-084, May 2000. (Revised December 2018.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase Related
  • Teaching Note | HBS Case Collection | February 2010 (Revised December 2018)

    SMA: Micro-Electronic Products Division (A), (B) & (C)

    Michael Beer

    Teaching Note for [400084], [400085], and [400086].

    Citation:

    Beer, Michael. "SMA: Micro-Electronic Products Division (A), (B) & (C)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 910-413, February 2010. (Revised December 2018.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsPurchase Related
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