The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Description

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni delivers a compelling model of team effectiveness through an engaging fictional story. The narrative follows Kathryn Petersen, newly appointed CEO of DecisionTech, as she transforms a fractured executive team by addressing five core dysfunctions: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to team results.

Lencioni’s fable makes complex team dynamics relatable, and the second half of the book breaks down the dysfunctions into practical advice and tools—including exercises like the Personal Histories Exercise, dashboards for team diagnostics, and meeting frameworks that foster clarity and alignment Gistfist. The simplicity of the Five Dysfunctions model, though sometimes critiqued for oversimplifying real-world complexity, resonates in coaching and HR circles because it’s approachable and widely applicable.

Readers say the storytelling is engaging, though some feel the solutions are lightly sketched and would benefit from deeper tools—and yet even critics acknowledge the value of its foundational insights Reddit. Its best-in-class rating (41% 5‑star reviews on Goodreads) reflects its enduring popularity and value to leaders across industries.

Whether you’re a manager, executive, consultant, or member of a team seeking clarity and cohesion, this paperback is available for both rent and purchase, giving learners and professionals flexible access to a bestselling leadership framework.