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?
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What is the fable about?
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Who is Kathryn Peterson?
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What happens as the fable continues?
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How do the characters in the fable act?
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What are the five dysfunctions?
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What is absence of trust?
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What is fear of conflict?
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What is lack of commitment?
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What is avoidance of accountability?
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What is inattention to results?
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What is the foundation of teamwork?
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How is trust like a good marriage?
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What do teams resort to if they have a fear of conflict?
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How are the first and second parts related?
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What happens as lack of commitment continues?
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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.