The Team That Wasn't (HBR Case Study and Commentary)

Eric Holt had one responsibility as FireArt's director of strategy: to put together a team of people from each division and create and implement a comprehensive plan for the company's strategic realignment within six months. It seemed like an exciting, rewarding challenge. Unfortunately, the team got off on the wrong foot from its first meeting. Randy Louderback, FireArt's charismatic and extremely talented director of sales and marketing, seemed intent on sabotaging the group's efforts. Anxiously awaiting the start of the team's fourth meeting, Eric was determined to address Randy's behavior openly in the group. But before he could, Randy provoked a confrontation, and the meeting ended abruptly. What should Eric do now? Is Randy the team's only problem? Seven experts discuss the characters in this fictitious case study and examine what it takes to create a successful team.