The 5 Dysfunctions Of A Team You Need To Watch Out For As A Leader?

Managing a team is a bit like managing a family: you have different needs, opinions, fears and personalities to navigate.

The challenge is that while a ‘dysfunctional family’ can still be charming and loving, a dysfunctional team (especially if that’s your leadership team) can be catastrophic for the organization and your business.

I have come across a lot of high-performance woo woo, but Patrick Lencione’s classic is a must read for any leader. If you are busy running the biz and have no time to read… I get it. :)

Here is the gist:

Absence of trust: Do people share what they truly think? Can they be vulnerable with you and with each other? Is it safe to fail or make mistakes?

Fear of conflict: Can people disagree respectfully? Is it safe to share candid feedback with one another? Can they address contentious topics or do they avoid them?

Lack of commitment: Can your team commit to decisions together even if not everyone agreed with it? Can you trust what people say and how they act when you are not in the room?

Avoidance of accountability: Do people take accountability for their deliverables or do they blame others / find excuses? Do they take accountability for their actions or the lack of it?

Inattention to results: Are people able to deliver results? Is there a reward for high performance and consequences for failing to deliver?

It all starts with you and your behavior as a leader. People mirror what they see. Always keep that in mind.