In "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" Patrick Lencioni once again offers a leadership fable that is as enthralling and instructive as his first two ...
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Dec 28, 2010
Jonas
rated it: 
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 is a book I enjoyed which Pat Lencioni wrote the foreword for. I found Lencioni's foreword intriguing (apparently I was the one person who hadn't heard of him). So, I decided to check The Five Dysfunctions out, and am so glad that I did.
This book explores the fundamental causes of organizational politics and team failure. Lencioni does an outstanding job showing a team that's going through some typical, real-world sticking points, yet is able to maneuver th More...
This book explores the fundamental causes of organizational politics and team failure. Lencioni does an outstanding job showing a team that's going through some typical, real-world sticking points, yet is able to maneuver th More...
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Mar 09, 2009
Jacob
rated it: 
Bear with me. I am doubly skeptical of models as methods versus tools (I will explain later) and of corporate literature. With that bias, this book would have been lucky to get three stars from me. Please keep that in mind.
What I mean by a model as a method versus a tool is that when a model is presented to help people try and understand how something functions I have no problem with it. Meyers-Briggs personality test is a great example. Fun to take and compare with people and get More...
What I mean by a model as a method versus a tool is that when a model is presented to help people try and understand how something functions I have no problem with it. Meyers-Briggs personality test is a great example. Fun to take and compare with people and get More...
Dec 03, 2008
Neil
rated it:
I've been in corporate America for just under 4 years now. In my time, I've never really bought into the majority of management strategies I've seen because well, they blatantly do not work; and if they do, its at an absurd cost of employee retention, dissatisfaction and needless overwork.
Passive aggressiveness, no accountability, scared of conflict... I see it too often, and I'm constantly frustrated by it. And just when I thought I was alone, I read this book and was completely blo More...
Passive aggressiveness, no accountability, scared of conflict... I see it too often, and I'm constantly frustrated by it. And just when I thought I was alone, I read this book and was completely blo More...
Dec 23, 2011
Nikki
rated it: 
This is a one of the best business novels out there. I love the idea of introducing concepts through a storyline of a fictional organization. The only thing better would be if it were based on actual events that was told in story form.
Kathryn is a CEO who takes over a company struggling with its market share and profit. She has the courage to attack the difficult issues rarely losing her composure and delivers criticism in a way that it mostly encourages discussion and positive conflict. I c More...
Kathryn is a CEO who takes over a company struggling with its market share and profit. She has the courage to attack the difficult issues rarely losing her composure and delivers criticism in a way that it mostly encourages discussion and positive conflict. I c More...
Dec 11, 2011
Rebecca
rated it: 
This was helpful, I think. I liked the suggestions for nonintrusive team-building exercises re personal histories and work contributions (below). If you don't have time to read this, the 5 dysfunctions are:
(1) absence of trust (manifests as invulnerability),
(2) fear of conflict (manifests as artificial harmony),
(3) lack of commitment (manifests as ambiguity),
(4) avoidance of accountability (manifests as low standards),
(5) inattention to results (manifests as sta More...
(1) absence of trust (manifests as invulnerability),
(2) fear of conflict (manifests as artificial harmony),
(3) lack of commitment (manifests as ambiguity),
(4) avoidance of accountability (manifests as low standards),
(5) inattention to results (manifests as sta More...
Sep 05, 2011
Isaac
rated it:
Usually books about leadership, teamwork, and organizational culture bore me to death, but this one is different; I finished it in around two hours, and it was an interesting read all the way through. As the description notes, Lencioni crafts a fictional but realistic story around a high-tech Silicon Valley startup in crisis: although they have better technology, expertise, and initial investments, in recent months they have been rapidly ceding their advantage to competitors. A new CEO renowned
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Jul 13, 2011
Daniel
rated it:
Five Dysfunctions of a Team
As a consultant who has worked with hundreds of teams in organizations large and small, I can attest that model outlined in “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” is both accurate in it’s root diagnosis of team dysfunctionalism, and is as pervasive as human nature itself. As with all of Lencioni’s books, he opens with a fable and concludes with the model that is the basis for the story’s solution. In the fable, a new CEO is confronted with a dysfunctional executi More...
As a consultant who has worked with hundreds of teams in organizations large and small, I can attest that model outlined in “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” is both accurate in it’s root diagnosis of team dysfunctionalism, and is as pervasive as human nature itself. As with all of Lencioni’s books, he opens with a fable and concludes with the model that is the basis for the story’s solution. In the fable, a new CEO is confronted with a dysfunctional executi More...
Jun 05, 2011
Campryenwater
rated it:
I love reading a book where the material can be implemented almost immediately. The tips offered in The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is this type of book.
The content adheres directly to the title and gives the five dysfunctions of a team through the eyes of a fictitious software company experience a challenge. The activities the team embarks on are similar to what you find in today’s corporate culture with the proverbial “off site” meeting. During this time, the author shares the team More...
The content adheres directly to the title and gives the five dysfunctions of a team through the eyes of a fictitious software company experience a challenge. The activities the team embarks on are similar to what you find in today’s corporate culture with the proverbial “off site” meeting. During this time, the author shares the team More...
May 25, 2011
David
rated it:
I'm usually not a fan of managerial leadership books, but I actually enjoyed this one. Perhaps it was the genre (an extended fable about a woman named Kathryn,who assumes the role of CEO of the fictitious DecisionTech, Inc in Silicon Valley). Lots of good, common sense about leadership and team-building, with a focus on the inter-personal dynamics at play.
The 5 dysfunctions (and their corresponding behavioral manifestations) are accessibly presented in a Pyramid (with dysfunctio More...
The 5 dysfunctions (and their corresponding behavioral manifestations) are accessibly presented in a Pyramid (with dysfunctio More...
Jan 28, 2011
Todd
rated it:
Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – A Leadership Fable was presented to me as the CEO’s handbook. Indeed, it is. Every CEO who desires his company to produce results greater than expectation should read this book. Read it, re-read it, dog ear pages, highlight, underline and put notes in the margin. Apply what you learn and then reread it. Don’t leave this book on your night stand partially read. In fact buy copies for your team members and make them read it too. The Five Dysfunc
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Nov 10, 2010
Sam
rated it:
Patrick Lencioni classified 5 dysfucntions of a team:
1. Abesent of trust
2. Fear of conflict
3. Lack of commitment
4. Avoidance of accountability
5. Inattention to result
The story is little bit strange to me as the recruit or promotion of a senior management seems to be so open and become a company decision instead of teh CEO make it final. It is not important for the theme of this book, just make me feel strange when reading this section. More...
1. Abesent of trust
2. Fear of conflict
3. Lack of commitment
4. Avoidance of accountability
5. Inattention to result
The story is little bit strange to me as the recruit or promotion of a senior management seems to be so open and become a company decision instead of teh CEO make it final. It is not important for the theme of this book, just make me feel strange when reading this section. More...
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Mar 13, 2010
Esmeralda
rated it:
To pharse things positively:
1. Trust one another in order to admit mistakes and ability to be vulnerable.
2. Have an ability to engage in unfiltered conflict around ideas. It is important for people to air disagreements and walk out without collatoral damage.
3. People need to commit to unified goals and plans of action. There needs to be some level of personal investment in order for dramatic, positive change.
4. People need to hold one another accou More...
1. Trust one another in order to admit mistakes and ability to be vulnerable.
2. Have an ability to engage in unfiltered conflict around ideas. It is important for people to air disagreements and walk out without collatoral damage.
3. People need to commit to unified goals and plans of action. There needs to be some level of personal investment in order for dramatic, positive change.
4. People need to hold one another accou More...
Jul 20, 2009
Francis
rated it:
This book is a parable about a management group at a high-tech firm that has to face and ultimately overcome its ingrained dysfunctional behaviors in order to come together as a team and lead their company out of a crisis. Told from the point of view of a newly-hired CEO who has come to fix the crisis at a startup that, despite having great technology, cannot seem to gain traction in the market and is losing ground. The new CEO has to assess and diagnose the team's dysfunctional dynamics, and id
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Apr 03, 2011
Joanne
rated it:
"It is teamwork that remains the ultimate competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare"
Kathryn, Jan, Jeff, JR, Carlos, Mickey, Nick, Martin.
There is nothing that makes the members of DecisionTech executive team stand out in a crowd. Actually, quite the opposite. What makes them unique is that they each have traits, reactions and feelings to people we have worked with. Humans are inherently dysfunctional. Patrick Lencioni masterfully weaves More...
Kathryn, Jan, Jeff, JR, Carlos, Mickey, Nick, Martin.
There is nothing that makes the members of DecisionTech executive team stand out in a crowd. Actually, quite the opposite. What makes them unique is that they each have traits, reactions and feelings to people we have worked with. Humans are inherently dysfunctional. Patrick Lencioni masterfully weaves More...
Jan 28, 2012
Mike
rated it:
I've heard about this book since the beginning of time. So I finally broke down and borrowed a copy from the library.
The "leadership fable" portion of the book was very readable and pretty much flew by. That's because pretty much every other page was the end of a chapter or otherwise largely blank. This is a book that will not take you very long to get through.
I wonder if it's really possible to boil down all of the complex issues that people working in teams More...
The "leadership fable" portion of the book was very readable and pretty much flew by. That's because pretty much every other page was the end of a chapter or otherwise largely blank. This is a book that will not take you very long to get through.
I wonder if it's really possible to boil down all of the complex issues that people working in teams More...
Mar 26, 2011
Marleigh
rated it:
First line: "Only one person thought Kathryn was the right choice to become CEO of DecisionTech, Inc.
Summary: Lencioni identifies five problems with executive teams, which he presents through a story (fable) and then analyzes.
Spoilers! In as much as reference books can have spoilers.
The 5 dysfunctions are:
1. Absence of trust. Where trust is comfort with showing vulnerability and admitting mistakes to teammates.
2. Fear of conflict. Teams need t More...
Summary: Lencioni identifies five problems with executive teams, which he presents through a story (fable) and then analyzes.
Spoilers! In as much as reference books can have spoilers.
The 5 dysfunctions are:
1. Absence of trust. Where trust is comfort with showing vulnerability and admitting mistakes to teammates.
2. Fear of conflict. Teams need t More...
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Nov 10, 2009
Jules
rated it:
A solid introduction to team dynamics and a moderately scary read for a new people manager -- so many things that can go wrong! Well-paced and engaging, this book gives you a clear understanding of how teams work, and don't work. However, it lacked sufficient description of the tools and techniques one could use to develop teams into a healthy and productive working structure. (Maybe it's got a companion book or toolbook?)
I think this would be a good companion or primer to Nilofer's More...
I think this would be a good companion or primer to Nilofer's More...
Oct 23, 2011
Julie
rated it:
My boss at the time recommend this book to me. I don't normally read business non-fiction... but decided to take a chance on the book, given the person who recommended it ;)
Lencioni writes an engaging book on team dynamics and where teams go astray. The premise of his book explains the most successful teams work in an environment where they can trust each other. This environment allows for healthy conflict and buy-in from teammates.
Lencioni demonstrates his ideas thr More...
Lencioni writes an engaging book on team dynamics and where teams go astray. The premise of his book explains the most successful teams work in an environment where they can trust each other. This environment allows for healthy conflict and buy-in from teammates.
Lencioni demonstrates his ideas thr More...
Jan 28, 2012
Lowell
rated it:
Patrick Lencioni presents an insight into what makes many business teams (or any type of organized group work) ineffective. Thinking back to undergraduate studies, as well as watching executives, managers, and co-workers over the past four years, helps me appreciate and see the need for this material.
I want to rate this three stars, as any thinking, logical man or woman should be familiar with these concepts. I feel that I've observed this enough to have effectively learned and app More...
I want to rate this three stars, as any thinking, logical man or woman should be familiar with these concepts. I feel that I've observed this enough to have effectively learned and app More...
Mar 15, 2011
Hadi
rated it:
For me it's hard to read management books, but this one is really easy (I read the manga version though :p). But yes I like it. This is the first time I know how high management team discuss inside a meeting. It probably different between one company or another, but it indeed bring me the picture how is chief's behavior, attitude, politeness and diplomatic respond in there.
And I believe that being a CEO isn't easy. They can't think everyone goodness, but they should think the sustainab More...
And I believe that being a CEO isn't easy. They can't think everyone goodness, but they should think the sustainab More...
Mar 19, 2008
Matthew
rated it: 
Was chosen for a work thing, then we all realized that it didn't apply to our group, because we actually aren't dysfunctional at all, so we scrapped our plan to discuss it and went skiing instead!
That being said, I did learn some very valuable lessons...ok, I didn't...but I did read it, at least. For the good of the team.
That being said, I did learn some very valuable lessons...ok, I didn't...but I did read it, at least. For the good of the team.
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Dec 08, 2011
Jeff
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I don't usually read business books, especially since I am not exactly on track to become a CEO or anything like that. But my wife had to read this book for a training class at her job, and she liked it, so I decided to read it. I like the "fable" style of introducing business concepts. Mr. Lencioni has done a fine job of introducing his concept of the five dysfunctions in most management teams. (I was actually disappointed, as I thought this might be a book about the 2011 Boston R
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May 01, 2010
kevin
rated it:
I have always heard about this book but never managed quite get down to read it. The Manga version is certainly easier to digest and having pictures of the characters helps a lot.
It is the usual stuff about having trust, willingness to commit, accountability, company above self. (I don't remember the exact break down of those but it fall into one of those categories I am guessing). The book is sensible and the content common-sense, but putting this particular book into manga is a s More...
It is the usual stuff about having trust, willingness to commit, accountability, company above self. (I don't remember the exact break down of those but it fall into one of those categories I am guessing). The book is sensible and the content common-sense, but putting this particular book into manga is a s More...
Jul 11, 2009
Carre
rated it:
I never imagined I would give a business book a 5-star rating. In fact I never imagined I would even pick up a business book, but a friend passed this on to us, and being somewhat short of English-language reading material here in Russia, I gave it a try. The things that make this book readable are: 1)it's short, and 2)it's told as a story. The principles aren't just for businesspeople. They're sound advice for marriage, ministry teams, or any time you have more than one person forced to work to
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Feb 07, 2011
Shaphir45
rated it:
This was one of the quicker reads I've had in a while, finishing it in only a few days. Part of the reason for that is it was a compelling and easily accessible story line that allowed you to make easy associations with the team you work with. That can be good and bad! :)
I was a bit thrown off by the narrative way of teaching about team but was quickly brought in by it. The points the author makes (the 5 dysfunctions) are rather valuable and make a lot of sense. As is often repeated in More...
I was a bit thrown off by the narrative way of teaching about team but was quickly brought in by it. The points the author makes (the 5 dysfunctions) are rather valuable and make a lot of sense. As is often repeated in More...
Jul 05, 2011
Doug
rated it:
It's easy to lose sight of best practice when you and your co-workers (or team) are getting off the rails a bit. This book helped me understand the behavior of people I work with as well as elements of my own working style and personality, which in turn helped me understand how professional working relationships SHOULD be.
Warning...This book may reveal the quality of leadership within your work experience, it may also make you reevaluate your own behavior and goals within your curre More...
Warning...This book may reveal the quality of leadership within your work experience, it may also make you reevaluate your own behavior and goals within your curre More...
Apr 27, 2011
Suz
rated it:
3.5 stars.
This is a remarkably well written book (with regards to structure, not necessarily language). Many management/business books are written so dry, with anecdotal examples or pages of statistics and studies... this book starts with a fictional account of someone creating a team and working on the 5 eponymous dysfunctions. The story is painfully simplistic, but there is no way to include every facet of a problem (or more than a handful of problems).
After the inst More...
This is a remarkably well written book (with regards to structure, not necessarily language). Many management/business books are written so dry, with anecdotal examples or pages of statistics and studies... this book starts with a fictional account of someone creating a team and working on the 5 eponymous dysfunctions. The story is painfully simplistic, but there is no way to include every facet of a problem (or more than a handful of problems).
After the inst More...
Jun 28, 2009
Shane
rated it:
The 2nd Patrick Lencioni book I have read, another example of using fictional story telling to apply leadership principles. I really enjoy his approach, and I got a lot out of this read also. Simple things you already know, told with a different spin that brings more clarity to them, ignites different thoughts on how to identify or overcome them.
- Lack of trust (Invulnerability)
- Fear of conflict (Harmony anyone......)
- Lack of commitment (Ambiguity = no buy in)
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- Lack of trust (Invulnerability)
- Fear of conflict (Harmony anyone......)
- Lack of commitment (Ambiguity = no buy in)
More...
Aug 16, 2009
Dustin
rated it:
Although geared toward a business world audience, this book should be read by a wider audience. Reason 1: The dysfunctions of a team are dysfunctions that plague every relationship in some way. Understanding and working to change the dysfunctions will strengthen all types of relationships. Reason 2: The story gives valuable insight about conflict and how it can be embraced. The characters do not avoid or gloss over conflict as I do. Instead, we watch them navigate it in effective ways. I really
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