Patrick Lencioni Leadership Fables

A few months ago I was introduced to Patrick Lencioni and his leadership fables. The first one I read was “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team”.  I enjoyed the book a lot.  One of my favorite things about it was the fact that I read it in one sitting.  I have now read two more of his books “The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive” and “The Five Temptations of a CEO”.  They are all quick reads and I think I have picked up some valuable information from the points that Lencioni makes in each book.  So that I don’t forget them…I have made some notes below.  I hope you’ll pick up the books if you are looking for something interesting to read that has some great takeaways.  The books are not necessarily Christian in any way, but Lencioni does make some points that lead you to believe that he is a believer.  I would also recommend his website as a great place for some leadership resources.

Five Dysfunctions of a Team

“The Five Dysfunctions of a Team”

Dysfunction #1: Absence of Trust

Strategy for Overcoming:
• Identify and discuss individual strengths and weaknesses
• Spend considerable time in face-to-face meetings and working sessions

Dysfunction #2:Fear of Conflict
Strategy for Overcoming:
• Acknowledge that conflict is required for productive meetings
• Understand individual team member’s natural conflict styles, and
establish common ground rules for engaging in conflict

Dysfunction #3:Lack of Commitment

Strategy for Overcoming:
• Review commitments at the end of each meeting to ensure all team
members are aligned
• Adopt a “disagree and commit” mentality—make sure all team
members are committed regardless of initial disagreements

Dysfunction #4: Avoidance of Accountability
Strategy for Overcoming:
• Explicitly communicate goals and standards of behavior
• Regularly discuss performance versus goals and standards

Dysfunction #5:Inattention to Results
Strategy for Overcoming:
• Keep the team focused on tangible group goals
• Reward individuals based on team goals and collective success

Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive

“The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive”

#1Build and Maintain a Cohesive Leadership Team
A cohesive team trusts one another, engages in constructive
conflict, commits to group decisions and holds one
another accountable.

#2Create Organizational Clarity
Healthy organizations clarify topics such as values,
strategies, goals and roles & responsibilities.

#3Over-Communicate Organizational Clarity
Healthy organizations align their employees by repetitively
and comprehensively communicating all aspects of
organizational clarity.

#4Reinforce Organizational Clarity Through
Human Systems

Organizations sustain their health by establishing simple
structures around the way they make decisions, evaluate job
candidates, manage performance and reward employees.

The Five Temptations of a CEO

“The Five Temptations of a CEO” 

 Temptation #1:Choosing Status over Results
Strategy for Overcoming: Focus on Results
• Publicly commit to measurable results
• Evaluate your success based on these results alone

Temptation #2:Choosing Popularity over Accountability
Strategy for Overcoming: Hold People Accountable
• Confront direct reports immediately about behavior and performance
• Clarify expectations up front to make confronting direct reports easier

Temptation #3:Choosing Certainty over Clarity
Strategy for Overcoming: Provide Clarity
• Set public deadlines for making key decisions
• Practice making decisions without complete information around
less risky issues

Temptation #4:Choosing Harmony over Conflict
Strategy for Overcoming: Establish Productive Conflict
• Draw out differing opinions and perspectives from staff members
• Engage in – and allow – passionate discussions about key issues

Temptation #5:Choosing Invulnerability over Trust
Strategy for Overcoming: Build Trust
• Acknowledge your own weaknesses and mistakes
• Allow direct reports to see your human side

2 comments to “Patrick Lencioni Leadership Fables”
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