The Five

Dysfunctions
of a Team

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Most teams don't live up

to their potential.
Dysfunctional behaviours
hold back their potential.
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As a result, each member

doesn't show up fully,
lacks ownership, and loses
motivation.
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When we start our work as

sidekicks (coach/consultant/
facilitator) with new
leadership teams, we assess 5
dysfunctions that hold back
the potential of leadership
teams.

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To become a high-
performing team these
blockers need to be tackled
and transformed.

Source: Patrick Lencioni

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Here are the 5

dysfunctions of teams
(compiled by management
thinker Patrick Lencioni).

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

Lacks: Ability to be vulnerable

without loosing safety.
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2. Fear of Conflict
Because of a lack of trust, dysfunctional
teams don't dare to go into courageous
conflict. Artificial harmony prevails.

Lacks: Engaging in unfiltered,

passionate debate about critical
issues
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3. Lack of Commitment
Without going into conflict, team
members can't commit and buy into
decisions.

Lacks: Clarity and clear roles

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4. Avoidance of
Accountability
When teams don't commit, they stop
holding each other accountable.

Lacks: clear standards of

performance and accountability
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5. Inattention to
Results
Missing accountability, team
members prioritize themselves
over shared goals.

Lacks: Focusing on the best

result for the team as a whole.
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Each failure builds

on the previous
dysfunction.
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To build a healthy functioning

team, you need to address each
level.

Understanding your
dysfunctions with a coach will
improve the effectiveness of
your team.
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Understand at
which level your
team still needs
support..
Results
... celebrate the results that come as a team, even if they
defer from KPIs but come closer to Team potential

Accountability
...accept individual accountability & always own the
challenges together

Commitment
...show commitment to the team goals, thereby
defining success only from the team level

Conflict
...embrace conflict by challenging people to apply radical
candor and fight with each other for the same goals

Trust
...start with building trust, giving everyone
space to be welcomed as a human being
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...to increasingly
move from trust
to performance.

Results
... celebrate the results that come as a team, even if they
defer from KPIs but come closer to Team potential

Accountability
...accept individual accountability & always own the
challenges together

Commitment
...show commitment to the team goals, thereby
defining success only from the team level

Conflict
...embrace conflict by challenging people to apply radical
candor and fight with each other for the same goals

Trust
...start with building trust, giving everyone
space to be welcomed as a human being
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Lets recap
These 5 dysfunctions are pitfalls to
becoming a high-performing team:

1. Absence of Trust
... celebrate the results that come as a team, even if they
defer from KPIs but come closer to Team potential

2. Fear of Conflict
...accept individual accountability & always own the
challenges together

3. Lack of Commitment
...show commitment to the team goals, thereby defining
success only from the team level

4. Avoidance of Accountability
...embrace conflict by challenging people to apply radical
candor and fight with each other for the same goals

5. Inattention to Results
...start with building trust, giving everyone space to be
welcomed as a human being
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What dysfunction has

slowed you down?
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We ignite
beautiful work.
The 5 steps pyramid is part of our

signature "leadership" workshop series.

Reach out to experience our ForChiefs

facilitation, consulting and coaching magic.

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We are
sidekicks
We are the Robin to your Batman.

As sidekicks we work hand in hand with

front-running leaders and leadership
teams – we call them ‘Chiefs’ –

to empower and support

ambitious growth.