The World's Best Book Summaries
At what point is a team too large? Are team-building activities worth it? Renowned business consultant Patrick Lencioni knows all about teams. In his book Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team, he defines what a team is and provides guidance on putting a team together and getting it on the right track from the start. Read on for Lencioni’s recommendations for the team-building process.
Do your team members feel like they can be completely open with you and each other? Or, do they tend to guard themselves and be careful about what they share? According to Patrick Lencioni, trust is foundational to team performance. He has written two books about the dysfunctions of teams. The first dysfunction is a lack of trust among team members. He explains what he means by trust, why it’s critical, and how to build it. Keep reading to learn about team trust.
What happens when leaders ignore the symptoms of business failure? Can a company collapse overnight? According to How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins, a major contributor to a company’s downfall is when it disregards signs of decline. Because leaders ignore these signs, they make reckless decisions with potentially disastrous consequences. Continue reading to learn the consequences of ignoring the symptoms of a failing business.
Which people on your team work best in collaboration? Which ones have a lone wolf personality type? We all have mental habits or motivation patterns that inform the way we behave. One of these is our work style. Generally, people prefer to work alone or in collaboration with others. They find that one style over the other brings out the best in their performance. Read more to learn how to identify the work style of the people on your team and interact with them in a way that resonates with their style.
Do your team members know how to handle disagreements in a constructive way? Or, do they let conflict build up until it explodes? In Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team, renowned business consultant Patrick Lencioni says that, once you’ve tackled Dysfunction #1 (the absence of trust), you can take on Dysfunction #2: a fear of conflict. When it’s managed well, conflict is healthy for teams. Continue reading to learn Lencioni’s advice for mastering conflict in teams.
What’s the negative impact of change in an organization? What happens when leaders make rash, emotional decisions? Sometimes, change can be great for an organization. Other times though, abrupt change could be a sign of leaders desperately trying to save a failing business. Let’s look at the negative impact of change in an organization, including bringing new people in and implementing new strategies.
How much do people get away with on your team? Which is more effective—accountability from managers or colleagues? Patrick Lencioni addresses the issue of accountability in both of his books about team dysfunctions, identifying the avoidance of accountability as the fourth dysfunction. He says that it’s much easier to call people out on results than behaviors, but the latter is far more important. Continue reading for Lencioni’s advice on overcoming the avoidance of accountability in a team.
How do formidable companies lose their footing and fall into irrelevance? What are the most insightful How the Mighty Fall quotes? In his book How the Mighty Fall, Jim Collins discusses the five phases that lead to a company’s decline. He also breaks down how to resuscitate a faltering company. Keep reading for the best How the Mighty Fall quotes to get the main ideas.
Are your team members more interested in their personal success than the team’s success? If so, what can be done about it? Patrick Lencioni identifies inattention to results as the fifth dysfunction of a team. He argues that employees too often direct their attention toward their own interests at the expense of the team’s interests. Keep reading to learn how to get your team to focus on results instead of themselves.
Why is discipline in management important? Can discipline save a business in decline? In How the Mighty Fall, Jim Collins has a few suggestions to help a floundering company thrive and succeed. One of his prescriptions is to uphold disciplined management practices so you can evaluate big business decisions with a clear head. Continue reading for more on why discipline in management can be a lifesaver for businesses.