The two following forces have the greatest influence on the trajectory of your team and organization:
- Who you hire.
- How effectively your team works together.
The team effectiveness framework shared in this article was first introduced in 2002 by Patrick Lencioni through his powerful book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team has been a bestseller for 21 years for good reason. If team members do the work, there is no greater advantage.
“If you could get all the people in an organization rowing in the same direction, you could dominate any industry, in any market, against any competition, at any
― Patrick Lencioni - The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
Every team is dysfunctional to some degree...
Make no mistake. Every team is dysfunctional to some degree. Acknowledging this painful truth mandates an effective leader be mindful of the often-hidden damage and lost potential when a team is allowed to become dysfunctional. Many teams have become accustomed to the long-term friction associated with being dysfunctional and have developed workarounds. Workarounds are expensive.
The prescription is simple. Read everything Patrick Lencioni authors (his content is spot on). And then commit to engaging your team in a continuous quest to minimize the five dysfunctions of a team.
