In the book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni outlines five issues that impact teams and their results. The book acts as a fable where Lencioni outlines a specific company that shows lack of results, it hires a new CEO, and Kathryn outlines five dysfunctions to get the team on track. A results focused organization should rely on teamwork in order to achieve results:
- Absence of Trust: The first dysfunction of a team is the absence of trust. Lencioni describes this as teams who avoid sharing their strengths and weaknesses with each other. They often jump to conclusions about their teammates and create assumptions about their actions. Teams who achieve trust often offer feedback to each other and are willing to accept support from others. How well does your team trust each other?
- Fear of Conflict: The second dysfunction of a team is fear of conflict. Lencioni describes this as teams who often fear sharing any conflicting ideas in meetings and often worry about hurting each other’s feelings. Teams who achieve results create open, honest, and insightful meetings that push each group member to better results. They also involve all team members, and they expect everyone to share honest ideas. How well does your team face conflict and share honestly?
- Lack of Commitment: The third dysfunction of a team is lack of commitment. Lencioni describes this as teams who lack focused direction and a commitment to results. These teams often avoid making big decisions and see opportunities pass them quickly. Teams who achieve success develop clear goals and direction for the organization, and they focus on the necessary actions to achieve those results. How well does your team focus on taking actions toward results?
- Avoidance of Accountability: The fourth dysfunction of a team is avoidance of accountability. Lencioni describes this as teams who simply accept mediocrity and low standards from their teammates. They often miss deadlines, produce deliverables with mistakes, and rarely go above and beyond. Teams who achieve success always hold their teammates to the highest standard possible for the results they want to achieve. How well does your team hold each other accountable to the highest standard?
- Inattention to Results: The fifth dysfunction of a team is inattention to results. Lencioni describes this as teams who fail to grow and get easily distracted with items that don’t lead to results. These teams become complacent with their current reality and results. Teams who achieve success focus on the actions necessary to achieve organizational results. How well does your team pay attention to results?
In the Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Lencioni outlines the importance of teamwork in achieving results. Teams who achieve exceptional success maintain a focus on the actions that lead to results. They’re honest, accountable, and committed to moving the organization forward. The teams that find consistent success have common characteristics that lead them to achieve results.
How consistently do you develop teamwork for results?