Five Dysfunctions of a Team Patrick Lencioni Talk 2013

Fear of Conflict: The second dysfunction, the fear of conflict, arises when team members avoid healthy debates and passionate discussions. Lencioni argues that avoiding conflict leads to superficial agreement or silence on important issues. Teams that can't engage in constructive conflict may miss out on diverse viewpoints and fail to make well-informed decisions.

Overcoming this dysfunction involves creating an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing differing opinions and where conflicts are addressed respectfully

Lack of Commitment: The third dysfunction, a lack of commitment, often follows when teams haven't engaged in constructive conflict. Without open debate, team members may struggle to buy into decisions fully. As a result, they may lack commitment to the team's goals and objectives.

To address this dysfunction, teams need to foster a culture of open discussion, ensuring that everyone's input is considered and that decisions are made collectively. When everyone feels heard and has a stake in the decision-making process, commitment naturally follows

Avoidance of Accountability: The fourth dysfunction, avoidance of accountability, is a consequence of the preceding dysfunctions. When trust is low, and team members haven't committed to decisions, accountability often erodes. Team members may hesitate to hold one another responsible for their commitments and actions.

Overcoming this dysfunction requires a culture of mutual accountability, where team members feel comfortable holding one another to high standards and delivering on their promises

Inattention to Results: The fifth and final dysfunction is an inattention to results. When trust is absent, team members avoid conflict, commitment is lacking, and accountability is weak, the team's focus may shift away from achieving collective results. Instead, individual agendas and self-interests can take precedence.

Overcoming this dysfunction requires a shift in focus towards shared goals and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for the team as a whole. It's about ensuring that team members prioritize the greater good over individual achievements.

These five dysfunctions, when addressed and overcome, can pave the way for healthier, more effective teams. Lencioni's insights provide a framework for understanding and improving team dynamics, fostering trust, and achieving better results.