Managing Internal and External Networks for Team Effectiveness

The ability to effectively leverage teams is critical for organizational success. One of the most important factors determining whether teams can capitalize on their full potential is whether they have the right social relationships, helping them coordinate internal and external team processes. This chapter describes how internal and external team networks influence team processes and performance. Moreover, it explains why teams must effectively manage their social connections such that they balance their internal networks (i.e., the social relationships among team members) and external networks (i.e., team leaders' or team members' social connections outside the team) to promote optimal team functioning and achieve success. Through a comprehensive exploration of these themes, we aim to equip leaders and teams with the knowledge and strategies needed to thrive in the networked organizations of the future.