Summary of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Book by Patrick Lencioni

When everyone in an organization moves in the same direction, they can achieve dominance in any industry at any time irrespective of the size of the competition. In reality, the fact remains that teams, because they are made up of imperfect human beings, are inherently dysfunctional. Hence, the powerful nature of teamwork is often canceled out by its rarity.

It is difficult but not impossible to build a strong team. Teamwork comes down to mastering a set of behaviors that are at once theoretically uncomplicated, but extremely difficult to put into practice on a daily basis. Interestingly, these behaviors are multifunctional and cut across different fields — from business to religion.

The five dysfunctions of a team are:
• Absence of trust
• Fear of conflict
• Lack of commitment
• Avoidance of accountability
• Inattention to results

You need to assess your team to know the type of dysfunction it may be experiencing. Problem identification is the first step to seeking real solutions.

Getting out of a quagmire can be difficult. A talented executive staff in a company may be the bane of the organization if they feel their personal abilities are more important than the big picture. For things to change, there must be a decision and resolve to work the problem. Until they are willing to get their act together and row in the same direction, any dysfunctional team will continue to spiral down the drain until the company dies.

The ideas in this summary will reveal what’s causing disruption in your team and offer strategies for tackling the abnormality.

No matter your position on a team, this summary can help you improve in your role. You can also tap into the real power of teamwork — achieving more than individuals could ever imagine doing alone.