Patrick’s leadership team thought they were doing ‘alright’ for a small organisation. But Patrick had bigger ambitions—to expand their services and reach new territories. As part of a team-based coaching program, we explored each member’s individual views about the future. While they said they were doing alright, they realised they were settling for mediocrity. They faced the harsh reality that if they continued to tick along on their current path, they would not make the impact they all wanted to make. The team risked becoming irrelevant or overtaken by competitors. Before they could align on a bold new vision, they needed to end their contentment with mediocrity.

Team-based coaching is like holding up a mirror to a team’s beliefs, forcing them to confront their current reality. It’s the critical first step before embarking on creating a new future. Often, it means dismantling an outdated narrative—like ‘we’re doing okay but will never be great’— or even revealing that team members are not committed to the same goals. However, the payoff is huge. By taking the time to discover and challenge their existing worldview, teams can avoid unnecessary heartache and wasted effort down the road.

This ties directly into Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Lencioni’s work underscores that teamwork is the linchpin of organisational success, but teams often get tripped up by predictable dysfunctions:

1. Absence of Trust – Team members are unwilling to be vulnerable within the group.
   
2. Fear of Conflict – The team avoids constructive debate, leading to superficial harmony.
   
3. Lack of Commitment – Without open conflict, team members don’t commit fully to decisions.
   
4. Avoidance of Accountability – Because of lack of commitment, team members avoid holding each other accountable.
   
5. Inattention to Results – Team members prioritize personal success over collective team results.

The key message from the book is that addressing these dysfunctions leads to a more cohesive, effective team.

Patrick now has an aligned team who can see the value of each other’s contributions and who are committed to a bold new future.

🙋 What dysfunctions have you experienced in teams? 🙋‍♀️

🎯 If you need help with your team dynamics, then get in touch to book a free discovery call. 🎯

Best regards, Brian