Org-Fitness Today!

High Performance Teams and The Five Dysfunctions of Teams

I have been reading a book based on Patrick Lencioni's, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. This is really more like a guide or how-to book titled: Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Field Guide.

If you have ever read any of Lencioni's books, you know he writes in an entertaining and I feel effective manner using a fable to tell his story. I first read the original Five Dysfunctions a couple of years ago and felt it was an excellent story and that he had effectively identified and labeled some critical stages teams go through. I've used some of his work in discussion with teams over the last couple of years.

According the Lencioni, the Five Dysfunctions are:

1. Absence of Trust
2. Fear of Conflict
3. Lack of Commitment
4. Avoidance of Accountability
5. Inattention to Results

In his book, the model used is shaped like a pyramid with Absence of Trust being on the bottom or at the foundation and Inattention to Results is at the top. There is also an assessment tool for teams to measure or see where they are in relationship to these five dysfunctions. Whenever I mention or go through these five dysfunctions, people seem to resonate with them and I see lots of heads nodding.

I am currently designing a 4-hour training called High Performance Teams using this and other models. I will also have a longer--one to two day off-site training available for teams that are really committed to going beyond the status quo. Creating a highly effective team is never easy, as we sometimes describe the HURT 100 course, "we wouldn't want it to be easy," It is doable though!

Please comment and let me know your thoughts and interest on this topic.

HURT 100 Update

Posting this way past the race. Just trying to get caught up.

The race was great this year. Got in the full 100 miles after 4 attempts and various other mileages.
2003--first year 80 miles--beginners luck. Credited with 100k finish.

2004--only trained for the 100k.

2005--80 miles, stopped very disappointingly at 11:00 a.m. the cutoff. Regretted not going out on the fifth loop. Credited with 100k finish.

2006--90+ miles, my worse race yet, feet problems, stomach shuts down, can't run at night. Consider giving up ultra running. Credited with 100k finish.

2007--100 miles completed. What makes the difference? Train on the road more, add additional leg strengthening and core body workouts, use better race nutritional products--electrolytes and drinks, eat early, have great pacers, and commit to saving some energy early on loops one and two, for loops three four, and five.

More info and pictures can be found here.