
On a closer look there are actually some pretty successful formula's that consistently help create highly innovative teams and they are not that complicated. It's a lot like putting together a professional sports team. You don't want everyone playing the same position, you need to have the right mix strengths and talents and you need to invest in team building.
Any tool that helps identify the strengths of each individual on a team will help ensure that you have people in the proper role. Check out the Gallup Strengths finder and Core Clarity, these tools can help a team understand their strongest individual strengths and know what to expect of each other. This simple awareness goes a long way toward creating an effective team. Yet many organizations are still not investing in team building tools and exercises. Knowing what people can do is not the same as knowing what they can do well. First identify the strengths and abilities you will need on the team, then invest the time and money to find out if you have the right people on the team and if their role is aligned with their strengths?