Dysfunction: Is it the Team or the Leader?

As a leader, one of your primary responsibilities is to build and manage effective teams. However, you may have noticed that even the most skilled individuals can struggle to work together in a cohesive manner. In fact, this is not uncommon, and it can be attributed to the five dysfunctions of a team.

The five dysfunctions of a team are identified by Patrick Lencioni in his book of the same name. These dysfunctions are:

Absence of trust: Without trust, team members are unlikely to be vulnerable with each other, which can hinder their ability to collaborate effectively. Absence of trust will surely kill any possibility of imagination, creativity, and innovation.

Fear of conflict: Conflict can be healthy in a team if it's productive, but fear of conflict can lead to misunderstandings and lack of communication. Under communication can fuel an environment of negative assumptions amongst team members.

Lack of commitment: If team members are not committed to a shared goal, then they will not be willing to put in the effort to achieve it. The personal return on investment is a catalyst that pushes drive and initiative.

Avoidance of accountability: Without accountability, team members can become complacent, leading to a lack of progress or innovation. Assuming someone else will step up to handle whatever is required will lead to tasks not being completed.

Inattention to results: A team that is not focused on achieving results will never succeed intentionally and will have zero data to realize when they are underperforming.

So, how can you, as a leader, overcome these five dysfunctions and build a successful team? Here are two solutions:

Establish trust: Encourage your team to be open and honest with each other. Consider team-building activities or exercises that promote communication and break down barriers.? As the leader, it is your responsibility to set the tone of your organization. Get to know your team on a personal level and encourage them to get to know each other.

Encourage constructive conflict: Great leaders do not surround themselves with people that just say “yes”, they surround themselves with a wide swath of perspective which promotes tough conversation and conflicting views. Encourage your team to have healthy debates and disagreements about ideas to arrive at stronger decisions.

And now, the action: As a leader, it's up to you to model the behavior you want to see in your team. Foster an environment of trust and collaboration, encourage healthy debate, and hold your team accountable to achieving results. By doing so, you can help your team overcome dysfunction and achieve success like never before.

Building and maintaining a functional team is a crucial aspect of any leader's role. By utilizing the solutions provided and taking the necessary action, you can lead your team to success while overcoming the five dysfunctions that can hamper their efforts. Responsible leadership is more than delegation and overseeing; it's also about leading teams effectively. So, put your knowledge to work and build the best team possible to accomplish your collective goals!