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Reading Notes: The FIVE Dysfunctions of a TEAM

The pyramid of the Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Author:  Patrick Lencioni

Format: Audible

Narrated By: Charles Stransky

Subject: Teamwork / Leadership

Rating: 8/10

Summary: 

The Five Dysfunctions of a team covers the basic issues that stop otherwise successful people from leading a company.  These issues are revealed and solved through a fictional tale of a new CEO, Catherine Petersen, who takes over a struggling Tech company that should be wiping the floor with its competition.  She spends the lion-share of her time focusing on getting her leadership team to work together to achieve results as opposed to merely just existing together.  She accomplishes this by educating the team of its dysfunctions, and ultimately helping it to overcome them.

What I liked about the book: 

The book is written as a fable as opposed to a reference manual.

Part of the book that most applied to me:  

It helped me develop a better understanding of the need of conflict in teams.

TLDR:

  • The Five Dysfunctions of a Team according to the book:
    • Absence of trust—unwilling to be vulnerable within the group.
    • Fear of conflict—seeking artificial harmony over constructive passionate debate.
    • Lack of commitment—feigning buy-in for group decisions creates ambiguity throughout the organization.
    • Avoidance of accountability—ducking the responsibility to call peers on counterproductive behavior which sets low standards.
    • Inattention to results—focusing on personal success, status and ego before team success.
  • Not everyone who started on the leadership team, stayed on the leadership team.

 

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Reading Notes: How Full Is Your Bucket

Author: Tom Rath

Format: Audible / Hardcopy

Narrated By: Tom Rath

Subject: Leadership / Motivation

Rating: 5/10

Summary:  How Full is Your Bucket is an interesting and easy read that gives insight into the ongoing effects of sincere praise and constructive criticism.   It emphasizes the value of “Bucket Filling” (sincere praise) and the consequences of “Bucket Dipping” (nonconstructive/negative interactions) has on organizations.  In fact, it reminded me of and served as a confirmation of General Colin Powell’s rule of leadership: “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”  The book also warns of the consequences of overpraising and of giving insincere praise.

What I liked about the book: It is easy to read and apply!

Recommended by:  Peter Dunn

TLDR

  • The magic ratio: 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative interaction.
  • Too much positive emotion? More than 13 positive interactions for every 1 negative interaction could decrease productivity.
  • We experience approximately 20,000 individual moments every day.
  • 65% of Americans received no recognition in the workplace last year.
  • The number-one reason people leave their jobs: They don’t feel appreciated.
  • Bad bosses could increase the risk of stroke by 33%.
  • A study found that negative employees can scare off every customer they speak with — for good.
  • 9 out of 10 people say they are more productive when they’re around positive people.
  • During the Korean War, relentless negativity resulted in a 38% POW death rate — the highest in U.S. military history.
  • Extending longevity: Increasing positive emotions could lengthen life span by 10 years.