The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
A leadership fable
Patrick Lencioni, 2002
Why Reading
Trying get your team to high performance? Then, this book is a prerequisite to read. It introduces a team development model, similar to the Maslow pyramid, that is directly usable on any team. It is written in novel form, both easy to read and a thriller for an agilist… So, easily consumed while clearly showing how the model works
Reading tips
- Part 1 points at the need of observation and assessment before starting to take action.
- In part 2 the model is introduced to a fictional team in real type of situations. It all starts with overcoming the dysfunction “absence of trust”, by starting to show vulnerability to each other, as basis for the next one “fear of conflict”.
- Constructive conflict (all views getting aired) is then the basis for buy-in by all team members and overcoming the dysfunction “lack of commitment”.
- Part 3 shows that commitment however is not enough for a team to reach results. Accountability between peers is critical and takes time and perseverance. First then, results can be reached.
- Final part, The Model, is a guideline how to use the model and tips on exercises you can do with your team.