I recently received the book titled
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team written by Patrick Lencioni. It was given to us during one of our meetings in order to help us function better as a team. We were assigned homework and were asked to answer the following questions for our next meeting:
1. Who do you most identify with?
Jan because she seems to be engaged and to be a part of the team from the beginning.
2. Who do you think people identify you with?
This is a difficult question and I must use the process of elimination to get to this answer. I don't think that I am viewed as Martin because of his lack of social skills, Mikey who is sarcastic, aloof and negative, JR who never bought into the team or Kathryn who is leading the group.
I am inclined to think that people would say that I am more like Carlos or perhaps Nick.
3. Who would you like to be?
Kathryn or Nick. Both exhibited leadership skills and were not afraid to admit when they were wrong. Also both shared their vulnerabilities to establish the trust factor with the team. Kathryn shared her when she was fired. Nick apologize in an open forum and shared his frustrations openly.
4. What are your thoughts around the five dysfunctions?
Very on target. The trust factor is the crux of where it all begins. I think that most people do not know how to clearly state what they are thinking so that it doesn't come out like an attack. Kathryn was an effective as the leader where she clearly stated her goals, made everyone feel like they matter and yet made those hard decisions when she had to.
I do see how these dysfunctions clearly affect the way that we operate as a team. In my opinion, I believe that we still have to work on some issues regarding the trust factor and are in the midst of the fear of conflict.
5. Is this a good book for your staff?
This book is a must read for all members of a team. Team members will gain the insight and lessons from the fable to help them understand the dysfunctions and actions to avoid them. The author takes the reader through the lens of being a fly on the wall.
It is definitely a self help/self improvement book.
So what are the five dysfunctions you ask? See poster.
- Inattention to Results (Status and Ego)
- Avoidance of Accountability (Low Standards)
- Lack of Commitment (Ambiguity)
- Fear of Conflict (Arfticial Harmony)
- Absence of Trust (Invulnerability)
While reading, I can relate to almost each character as I sometimes behave differently in each team. This is something I will have to revisit and explore.
Cast of characters:
Kathryn - New CEO that must bring the team together.
Carlos - Customer Support - Open-minded, reserved and hesitant to share thoughts.
Jan - CFO - Open-minded and disciplinedJeff - Former CEO - offered another job (nicely removed from the position)
JR - Sales
Mikey - PR executive / Marketing - Continually passes sarcastic remarks under her breath.
Martin - Chief Technologist or Engineer - Arrogant and challenges authority
Nick - COO
By the way, I am still reading The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.
