Hardcover, 229 pages
English language
Published April 3, 2002 by Jossey-Bass.
After her first two weeks observing the problems at DecisionTech, Kathryn Petersen, its new CEO, had more than a few moments when she wondered if she should have taken the job. But Kathryn knew there was little chance she would have turned it down. After all, retirement had made her antsy, and nothing excited her more than a challenge. What she could not have known when she accepted the job, however, was just how dysfunctional her team was, and how team members would challenge her in ways that no one ever had before. In this book, the author turns his keen intellect and storytelling power to the fascinating, complex world of teams. Kathryn Petersen, DecisionTech's CEO, faces the ultimate leadership crisis: uniting a team that is in such disarray that it threatens to bring down the entire company. Will she succeed? Will she be fired? Will the company fail? The …
After her first two weeks observing the problems at DecisionTech, Kathryn Petersen, its new CEO, had more than a few moments when she wondered if she should have taken the job. But Kathryn knew there was little chance she would have turned it down. After all, retirement had made her antsy, and nothing excited her more than a challenge. What she could not have known when she accepted the job, however, was just how dysfunctional her team was, and how team members would challenge her in ways that no one ever had before. In this book, the author turns his keen intellect and storytelling power to the fascinating, complex world of teams. Kathryn Petersen, DecisionTech's CEO, faces the ultimate leadership crisis: uniting a team that is in such disarray that it threatens to bring down the entire company. Will she succeed? Will she be fired? Will the company fail? The author's story serves as a timeless reminder that leadership requires as much courage as it does insight. Throughout the story, he reveals the five dysfunctions that go to the very heart of why teams, even the best ones, often struggle. He outlines a powerful model and actionable steps that can be used to overcome these common hurdles and build a cohesive, effective team.--Publisher information.
The way this book presents it's theory i the form of a fable makes it an entertaining read, even though it's pretty sad to note that I've seen all these dysfunctions in the wild. It does give me a framework for talking about them, which would be so much more helpful if it was shared by others. So, to the people on my teams, go read this.
Business books aren't my favorite genre, but this is a classic and a must-read for anybody who wants to be in management.
Explains a lot. Fails to renounce business astrology.
Let's be blunt: business books are all trash because capitalism is trash.
However, sometimes you just gotta read some interpersonal guides that shed light on the minds of the people who don't understand that the whole thing is toxic.
This book was slightly better written than average for the genre.
Didn't seem to backup it's ideas with evidence and extolled things, like Mayer's Briggs that are pretty heavily criticised now.
Rest of it could be summed up as don't avoid conflict and set a good example.
Clearly this is a book I was given to read by my work. It seems a lot of workplaces are all up in this guys book. It is super corporate and a bit condescending. The author has little understanding of consensus and zero critique of hierarchy. All that said, the central premise that people cannot function as a group without trust, honesty, and productive conflict is not wrong. I've definitely watched collectives fall apart exhibiting some of the same behaviors outlined in the book. Not recommending it, but if your work makes you read it...
