How To Build a Successful Team

Context

Most teams don't live up to their potential.

Dysfunctional behaviors hold them back.

As a result, each team member: 

→ lacks ownership,

→ doesn't show up fully,

→ and loses motivation.

Tackle and transform these dysfunctions to build a high-trust/high-performance team.

Here are the 5 dysfunctions of teams (compiled by management thinker Patrick Lencioni) we look at when analyzing the potential of leadership teams.

Framework

1. ABSENCE OF TRUST

Team members don't trust each other. A lack of psychological safety makes it impossible to show your whole self.

→ Needs: Ability to be vulnerable without losing safety.

2. FEAR OF CONFLICT

Because of a lack of trust, dysfunctional teams don't dare to go into courageous conflict. Veiled comments and back-channel gossip become the norm. Artificial harmony hides the elephants in the room.

→ Needs: Engaging in unfiltered, passionate debate about critical issues.

3. LACK OF COMMITMENT

Team members can't commit and buy into decisions without going into conflict. Ambiguity over many things hinders progress.

→ Needs: Clarity and clear roles.

4. AVOIDANCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

When teams don't commit, they stop holding each other accountable. Without accountability, team members naturally look out for their interests above all.

→ Needs: clear standards of performance and accountability.

5. INATTENTION TO RESULTS

Missing accountability, team members don't prioritize the team's success over departmental needs. Their focus lies on personal success rather than team achievement.

→ Needs: Focusing on the best result for the team as a whole.

Application

Do you notice the pattern?

Each failure builds on the previous dysfunction.

To build a healthy functioning team, you need to address each level.

I have seen it over and over: showing up and looking at your dysfunctions with a coach drastically improves the effectiveness of every team.

Summary

In summary, these 5 dysfunctions hold you back from becoming a high-performing team:

1. Absence of Trust

2. Fear of Conflict

3. Lack of Commitment

4. Avoidance of Accountability

5. Inattention to Results

What dysfunction has slowed you down?

“Not finance. Not strategy. Not technology. It is teamwork that remains the ultimate competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare.”

― Patrick Lencioni, Author of ‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable’

I hope you will invest time and energy into role-modeling ‘trust’ with your teams.

Supporting leaders in building high-trust, high-performance teams is one of the great pleasures of my work.

If this resonates with you, share it with your team.

I’ll see you next week,

Nikolas Konstantin

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