Effects of champion behavior, team potency, and external communication activities on predicting team performance

This study used measures of champion behavior, team potency, and external communication activities to predict the performance of new product development teams over a 1-year period. Forty-one product innovations in 13 organizations were studied involving 41 champions, 41 executives to whom the champions reported, and 187 team members. Results from a partial least squares analysis indicated that champion behavior was positively related to team potency and to external communication activities and predicted team performance. The relationship between champion behavior and team performance I year later was mediated by team potency and two external communication activities (i.e., task coordinator and scout). Implications, limitations, and directions for further research on champions and teams are discussed.