I'll start by saying that this was a required book for an MBA course I am taking. It was maybe the fifth book in the semester, and while the first few were good reads and were sort of helpful, they weren't captivating. I figured the Five Dysfunctions would be along those same lines... I ended up loving it.
The first 3/4 is a narrative following the newly hired CEO of a once-great tech company, now on the down-turn due to lack of leadership at the top and of course a highly dysfunctional (almost humerus) management team. Of course, there was a great cast of characters who were chalk full of dysfunction and most importantly, mirror exact teammates I have worked with in the past, making the story relevant to my life. The CEO took the characters through the 5 dysfunctions of a team, explaining where each of them were at fault, and encouraging them to be open and productively-confrontational in order to build on their individual strengths and face their weaknesses. The last 1/4 of the book started with a short quiz where you answered questions about a team you have worked with, and then based on where you scored low, offered suggestions for ways you and the team could improve.
Amazingly, every person (including me, who has been known to skim these "business help" books from time to time) in the 60 person class read the book, and I can safely say the 3 hour discussion we had as a class was one of the most enjoyable and intellectually interesting conversations I have ever been a part of. I would be shocked if there was a single person who did not learn something about themselves from the discussion.
This book is great, I think I have already seen some tangible progress in my actions as a team member, and I feel like my current team (who also read the book) have been better functioning since reading it/our discussion.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to improve their ability to contribute to teams, whether you are a manager, or a team member looking for ways to be a better person.
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Popular Highlights in this book
“Politics is when people choose their words and actions based on how they want others to react rather than based on what they really think.”Highlighted by 24,468 Kindle readers- “Remember, teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability.”Highlighted by 12,381 Kindle readers
From the brand
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Patrick Lencioni is the pioneer of the organizational health movement and the author of 13 bestselling books, including, including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, The Advantage, and The Ideal Team Player. For the past 25 years, Pat and his firm, The Table Group, have provided leaders with products and services to make their organizations more effective, their teams more cohesive, and their employees more fulfilled.
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From the Publisher
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The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Model
Like it or not, all teams are potentially dysfunctional. This is inevitable because they are made up of fallible, imperfect human beings. From the basketball coach to the executive suite, politics and confusion are more the rule than the exception. However, facing dysfunction and focusing on teamwork is particularly critical at the top of an organization because the executive team sets the tone for how all employees work with one another. Fortunately, there is hope. Counter to conventional wisdom, the causes of dysfunction are both identifiable and curable. The first step toward reducing politics and confusion within your team is to understand that there are five dysfunctions to contend with, and address each that applies, one by one.
DYSFUNCTION #1: ABSENCE OF TRUST
The fear of being vulnerable with team members prevents building of trust within the team.
DYSFUNCTION #2: FEAR OF CONFLICT
The desire to preserve artificial harmony stifles the occurrence of productive, ideological conflict.
DYSFUNCTION #3: LACK OF COMMITMENT
The lack of clarity or buy-in prevents team members from making decisions they will stick to.
DYSFUNCTION #4: AVOIDANCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY
The need to avoid interpersonal discomfort prevents team members from holding one another accountable for their behaviors and performance.
DYSFUNCTION #5: INATTENTION TO RESULTS
The pursuit of individual goals and personal status erodes the focus on collective success.
About the author
I highly recommend this book to all seeking to maximize the potential ...
A superb analysis and practical guide to achieving excellence on teams. I highly recommend this book to all seeking to maximize the potential of their teams in any sector of life. I recently used this book and it's workbook to assist the Baylor Women's tennis team in working toward their goals as a team!
Top reviews from other countries
T. Fernandes
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: feedback
Reviewed in Spain on August 27, 2024Abdelbaki Mohamed
Nice book
Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on August 25, 2024Diem
relatable for any leadership group
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2024