Patrick Lencioni: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
“The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni is a leadership fable that explores the common challenges and dysfunctions that hinder effective teamwork within organizations. Lencioni presents a model that identifies five key dysfunctions and provides insights into how teams can overcome them to achieve greater success.
The five dysfunctions outlined in the book are:
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Absence of Trust: The foundation of any successful team is trust. Without it, team members are hesitant to be vulnerable, share their ideas, and collaborate openly.
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Fear of Conflict: Healthy teams engage in constructive conflict, addressing differing opinions and ideas. A fear of conflict can lead to artificial harmony, where important issues go unaddressed, hindering the team’s progress.
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Lack of Commitment: Team members must commit to group decisions for the team to move forward effectively. A lack of commitment can result in ambiguity and confusion about the team’s goals and priorities.
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Avoidance of Accountability: Team members need to hold each other accountable for their performance. When accountability is lacking, individuals may not take responsibility for their actions, impacting the team’s overall success.
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Inattention to Results: The ultimate goal of any team is achieving collective success. When individual interests or departmental priorities take precedence over the team’s overall performance, the team can fail to accomplish its objectives.
Through a fictional narrative, Lencioni illustrates these dysfunctions and provides practical strategies for overcoming them. The book serves as a guide for leaders and teams, emphasizing the importance of building trust, fostering healthy conflict, and promoting a collective focus on results to create a high-performing and cohesive team.
Author: Patrick Lencioni
Title: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Subtitle: A Leadership Fable
Year: 2002
ISBN: 978-0-7879-6075-9