Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team Overview

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Questions and Answers

What did Lencioni say about the true measure of a team?

The true measure of a team is it accomplishes the results that it sets out to achieve.

Genuine teamwork remains as ___________

elusive as it's ever been

What do you see as the biggest problems with the team? Why?

What is a brief synopsis of the book?

A business book by consultant and speaker Patrick Lencioni that describes the many pitfalls that teams face as they seek to grow together. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fable about?

A fictional company called DecisionTech, struggling with tough decisions. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Kathryn Peterson?

A 57-year-old retiree called in to become DecisionTech's new CEO. Signup and view all the answers

What happens as the fable continues?

Kathryn faces challenges as she tries to build a team from a diverse group of independent-minded executives. Signup and view all the answers

How do the characters in the fable act?

One is haughty, another is socially inept, and another is overly helpful but does not get his own work done. Signup and view all the answers

What are the five dysfunctions?

<ol> <li>Absence of trust; 2. Fear of conflict; 3. Lack of commitment; 4. Avoidance of accountability; 5. Inattention to results.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is absence of trust?

Unwillingness to be vulnerable within the group. Signup and view all the answers

What is fear of conflict?

Seeking artificial harmony over constructive passionate debate. Signup and view all the answers

What is lack of commitment?

Feigning buy-in for group decisions creates ambiguity throughout the organization. Signup and view all the answers

What is avoidance of accountability?

Ducking responsibility to call peers on counterproductive behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is inattention to results?

Focusing on personal success, status, and ego before team success. Signup and view all the answers

What is the foundation of teamwork?

Trust. Signup and view all the answers

How is trust like a good marriage?

Trust on a team must be maintained over time. Signup and view all the answers

What do teams resort to if they have a fear of conflict?

Veiled discussions and guarded comments. Signup and view all the answers

How are the first and second parts related?

Teams that trust one another do not hesitate to disagree and challenge each other. Signup and view all the answers

What happens as lack of commitment continues?

Team members rarely buy in and commit to decisions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team Overview

True measure of a team is its ability to achieve set results consistently, overcoming five team dysfunctions.
Genuine teamwork is still elusive, indicating persistent challenges in collaborative environments.

Synopsis of the Book

Written by Patrick Lencioni, the book is a business fable that delves into common pitfalls teams encounter while trying to grow together.
Explores the fundamental causes of organizational politics and team failures.

The Fable of DecisionTech

Story revolves around a fictional tech company, DecisionTech, which symbolizes the difficult decisions faced by teams.
Founded two years prior near Silicon Valley, DecisionTech was once promising but now struggles with financial and emotional stability.

Main Character Introduction

Kathryn Peterson, a new CEO with significant team-building experience but no tech background, is tasked with leading DecisionTech.

Challenges in Building the Team

Kathryn encounters various challenges as she tries to unify a diverse group of independent-minded executives, each portraying typical dysfunctional behavior.
Team members present unique personal issues that complicate team cohesion.

Character Behaviors

One character displays haughtiness, another struggles with social skills and communication, while a third is overly helpful yet neglects personal work.
The dynamics worsen as one employee quits and another is fired, adding complexity to the team's development.

The Five Dysfunctions

Dysfunction 1: Absence of Trust - Team vulnerability is lacking; members are not open about mistakes or fears.
Dysfunction 2: Fear of Conflict - Preference for artificial harmony leads to avoidance of passionate, unfiltered debate.
Dysfunction 3: Lack of Commitment - Insincere agreement on decisions generates ambiguity and undermines commitment.
Dysfunction 4: Avoidance of Accountability - Colleagues fail to hold each other accountable for poor behavior, resulting in low standards.
Dysfunction 5: Inattention to Results - Personal interests and egos overshadow collective team goals, hindering success.

Importance of Trust

Trust is the cornerstone of effective teamwork; it requires ongoing maintenance akin to a good marriage.
Teams built on trust can engage in healthy disagreements, promoting robust decision-making.

Consequences of Dysfunction

Fear of conflict leads to guarded conversations and indirect communication.
Teams lacking commitment from open debates often do not genuinely support decisions, even if they appear to agree in meetings.

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Description

Explore the insights from Patrick Lencioni's business fable that addresses the common pitfalls teams face in achieving success. This quiz delves into the dynamics of teamwork, the challenges within organizations, and the critical roles of key figures like CEO Kathryn Peterson in overcoming these dysfunctions.