I find it fascinating that many people prefer to look at what makes a team dysfunctional than what makes it a high performing team. As a result I have decided to share with those that like to look at what’s wrong with the 
purpose of enticing you to want to build a high performing team! I have been skimming a book written by Patrick Lencioni called “Overcoming the five dysfunctions of a Team” and here is what he states are the critical issues:
1. Absence of TRUST
2. Fear of CONFLICT
3. Lack of COMMITMENT
4. Avoidance of ACCOUNTABILITY
5. Inattention to RESULTS.
The foundation of his pyramid is the absence of trust and of course when I talk about high performing teams I refer to the importance of openness and honesty to develop trust.
The next level is a fear of conflict – and of course I always talk about the importance of igniting, embracing and resolving conflict – because if there is no conflict then you do not have a team because people are hiding what they really think and feel.
We are different and have different views and therefore there will always be conflict in a high performing team! So whether you look at the dysfunction or the necessary ingredient it all comes out the same – we need these five things to be present to have a high performing team.
