The five dysfunctions of a team: team assessment book cover

The five dysfunctions of a team

team assessment

Patrick M. Lencioni
3.9(526 Reviews)

Overview of The five dysfunctions of a team

Discover why "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" sold nearly three million copies worldwide. Lencioni's revolutionary framework has transformed Fortune 500 companies, sports teams, and even military units. What hidden team poison is silently sabotaging your success right now?

Key Themes in The five dysfunctions of a team

  • vulnerability-based trust
  • productive ideological conflict
  • team accountability
  • collective results
  • organizational health

Quotes from The five dysfunctions of a team

  • If we don't trust one another, then we aren't going to engage in open, constructive, ideological conflict.

  • Politics and defensive behaviors take over.

  • Conflict is productive when it's focused on issues and concepts.

  • The goal isn't consensus or harmony-it's finding the best answer.

  • Mining for conflict becomes a new team practice.

Characters in The five dysfunctions of a team

  • Kathryn PetersenNewly appointed CEO of DecisionTech
  • JeffFormer CEO and head of business development
  • MikeyBrilliant but combative marketing executive
  • MartinAnalytically sharp but passive CFO
  • JRCharismatic and politically-minded sales leader

About the Author

About the Author of The five dysfunctions of a team

Patrick M. Lencioni, the bestselling author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, is a distinguished leadership consultant and the founder of The Table Group, a firm specializing in organizational health and team dynamics. Drawing from his prior experience as an executive at both Bain & Company and Oracle, Lencioni masterfully translates decades of corporate insight into practical business fables. These fables adeptly tackle prevalent workplace issues such as trust deficits, unhealthy conflict, and misalignment. His extensive body of work includes 12 books, among them The Advantage and The Ideal Team Player, which have collectively sold over 6 million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 30 languages.

Acknowledged by The Wall Street Journal as “one of the most in-demand business speakers,” Lencioni provides counsel to a diverse range of entities, including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and sports teams, through his consulting firm. His influential frameworks have been highlighted in the Harvard Business Review and are actively utilized by prominent organizations such as Southwest Airlines and Microsoft. As a graduate of Claremont McKenna College, Lencioni is known for his pragmatic methodology, which seamlessly integrates storytelling with operational acumen.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team has maintained its status as a New York Times bestseller for 16 years following its release, solidifying its position as a contemporary classic in the field of leadership.

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@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
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12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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37
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483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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