"A gripping analysis of what makes teams work effectively. This fine work is a must read for any leader
that has come to grips with the fact that no one makes progress-much less succeeds-alone."
--James Amos, president and CEO, Mail Boxes Etc.
"Every manager and executive will recognize themselves somewhere in this book. Lencioni distills the problems
that keep even the most talented teams from realizing their full potential. Even more important, he shows -- in
prose that is crisp, clear, and fun to read-- how to solve them."
--Geoffrey A. Moore, Chairman, The Chasm Group and Author of Crossing the Chasm; Inside the Tornado and Living
on the Fault Line
"This book is as thought-provoking, insightful, and rich with ideas as The Five Temptations of a CEO. I've
used it with my team and it works!"
--Phillip Hildebrand, executive vice president and Chief Distribution Officer, New York Life Insurance Company
"Compelling and incisive, this will become the definitive guide on how to build and manage successful teams."
--Jean Kovacs, president and CEO, Commergent Techonologies
"As compelling, readable and practical as his other books. I'm sure this will be another business classic."
--Richard Carr, president and CEO, TEC International
Publisher Web Site, January, 2003
Summary
After her first two weeks observing the problems at DecisionTech, Kathryn Petersen, its new CEO, had more than
a few moments when she wondered if she should have taken the job. But Kathryn knew there was little chance she
would have turned it down. After all, retirement had made her antsy, and nothing excited her more than a challenge.
What she could not have known when she accepted the job, however, was just how dysfunctional her team was, and
how team members would challenge her in ways that no one ever had before.
In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni once again offers a leadership fable that is as enthralling
and instructive as his first two best-selling books, The Five Temptations of a CEO and The Four Obsessions of an
Extraordinary Executive. This time, he turns his keen intellect and storytelling power to the fascinating, complex
world of teams.
Kathryn Petersen, DecisionTech's CEO, faces the ultimate leadership crisis: uniting a team that is in such disarray
that it threatens to bring down the entire company. Will she succeed? Will she be fired? Will the company fail?
Lencioni's riveting tale serves as a timeless reminder that leadership requires as much courage as it does insight.
Throughout the story, Lencioni reveals the five dysfunctions that go to the very heart of why teams-even the best
ones-often struggle. He outlines a powerful model and actionable steps that can be used to overcome these common
hurdles and build a cohesive, effective team.
Just as with his other books, Lencioni has written a compelling fable with a deceptively simple yet powerful message
for all those who strive to be exceptional team leaders.
Table of Contents
Introduction vii
The Fable 1
Luck 3
Part One: Underachievement 5
Part Two: Lighting the Fire 27
Part Three: Heavy Lifting 115
Part Four: Traction 171
The Model 185
An Overview of the Model 187
Team Assessment 191
Understanding and Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions 195