I am working my way up to a management position in the future, so this book definitely appealed to me. I want to learn as much as I can about creating great teams! I thought the author brought a lot to the table. I read this book a chapter at a time, so I could absorb what I just read and really understand it at my own pace. I thought Coward did a great job of giving us an actionable guide on how to build great teams. The advice was practical and manageable. I definitely took home great info to use in the future. I received this book from Practical Inspirational Publishing and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Practical Inspiration Publishing for this eCopy to review

6-Minute Smarts: Building Great Teams by Alison Coward, shows you how to make a great team.

From the very first page, Coward’s voice is clear, practical, and refreshingly human, she gives step by step, bite-sized, actionable insights that truly live up to the “6-Minute Smarts” promise.

The core idea is simple but powerful: great teams don’t happen by accident. They’re built through intentional culture, small daily actions, and a shared commitment to collaboration. Coward draws on her 20 years of experience as a team culture coach and facilitator to break down what makes teams thrive. Exploring things like psychological safety, clear communication, and a balance between creativity and productivity.

What I loved most was how she made it feel doable. This isn’t some lofty leadership theory, it’s a toolkit. Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to be a better teammate, there’s something in here for you. And the best part? You can read a chapter in the time it takes to drink your morning coffee.

If you’re looking to improve your team from this book is a brilliant place to start.

A great guide with actionable steps for fostering communication and culture in teams. I’ll be bringing this into my daily workflow as a staff engineer for a tech company

In 6-Minute Smarts: Building Great Teams, Alison Coward distills two decades of experience into a practical, accessible guide for anyone seeking to boost their team’s performance and engagement—without overhauling everything at once. With a refreshing emphasis on small, intentional actions, Coward demonstrates how minor shifts in team dynamics and culture can lead to major gains in collaboration, creativity, and productivity.

Drawing from her expertise as a facilitator and founder of the consultancy Bracket, Coward offers insights grounded in real-world challenges. Her approach is both encouraging and actionable: you don’t need hours of strategy sessions to build a great team—just six focused minutes at a time.

Perfect for team leaders, managers, or anyone working in creative or collaborative environments, this book is a smart and empowering toolkit. Whether your team feels a bit "meh" or you’re simply looking to level up, Coward’s strategies will help you create a happier, more engaged, and ultimately more effective team culture.

There's always the co-creation and small groups sessions in workshops that I love and to get to read this aspect of workshop culture incorporated into building great teams.
This would be a great companion or reference guide for managers and team leaders.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.