Running Teams and Working with Partners

This chapter discusses human dynamics in the context of innovation, technology development, and product development. The team, rather than the individual, is the basic building block of technology and product development. The use of 'virtual' team is becoming more widespread in a number of disciplines, including software and engineering, as is the topic of leading and managing teams in a cross‐border, multicultural environment. The leadership of technology and product development projects is a surprisingly multifacetted but potentially very satisfying and rewarding role. Most importantly, the leader is the holder and champion of the high‐level vision for the new development; he or she is the 'master architect'. The primary means of personal development is through the work itself, not through an endless succession of training courses. The speed of personal development can be accelerated by providing the right opportunities to acquire the skills, supported by guidance and mentoring.