Our job would be easy if we didn’t have to deal with people.
These wise words were uttered by my very first boss after a particularly difficult day at work. Poor communication and unsaid expectations left my just-out-of-college self feeling defeated after an unsuccessful project debrief. The team’s response to the failed project was filled with blame-shifting, passive-aggressive remarks, and disintegrating trust among co-workers. It was not a healthy work environment for anyone.
Of course, the irony in my boss’s statement is that there are no jobs where you don’t have to deal with people. Even the most reclusive members of the workforce have to make contact with the outside world to submit projects, receive feedback, and collect their paycheck. They are a part of a team, whether they like it or not.
Now, you and I (as conscious leaders who build conscious cultures), know functional teams build success. We embrace the higher purpose of business and focus on creating value for and harmonizing the interests of the business stakeholders. We bring people together to reach common goals and achieve success.
Without the proper framework, however, teams are doomed to fail.
“The fact remains that teams, because they are made up of imperfect human beings, are inherently dysfunctional.” -Patrick Lencioni
It takes a conscious effort to build a functional team. Without conscious leadership, a team will fall into one or more of these five dysfunctional behaviors:
5 Dysfunctions of a Team
- Absence of Trust
- Fear of Conflict
- Lack of Commitment
- Avoidance of Accountability
- Inattention to Results
I experienced some of these dysfunctions first-hand during that project debrief. My boss recognized how these dysfunctions were playing out on the team. Awareness is the first step to building a healthy culture. Do you recognize some of these dysfunctions within your own team? Knowing how to overcome these behaviors and your role as a leader in addressing them are essential next steps to short and long term success.
Dive into the effective methods and solutions for the five dysfunctions of a team during the first session in our new Unlocking High Performance Lunch & Learns!
Unlocking High Performance Lunch & Learns
Once a month, we will be offering a 60-minute lunch workshop focused on Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team. We will explain how to uncover and resolve dysfunction allowing you to become a higher performing leader, a more effective team member, a better partner, and even a more skillful parent.
The workshops will always be held at MAC6 from 12-1pm. Tickets are $35 each and lunch is always included. If you are planning to attend multiple events, we are offering an annual pass for $150.
Join us for our first overview session January 31st to help you realize your potential and dial in your focus to the most critical component of your business: people.