Publisher's Summary

In keeping with the parable style, Patrick Lencioni begins by telling the fable of a woman who, as CEO of a struggling Silicon Valley firm, took control of a dysfunctional executive committee and helped its members succeed as a team. Story time over, Lencioni offers explicit instructions for overcoming the human behavioral tendencies that he says corrupt teams (absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability and inattention to results). Succinct yet sympathetic, this guide will be a boon for those struggling with the inherent difficulties of leading a group.

Building a cohesive team is not complicated, declares Lencioni. Departing from the dry, theoretical writing of many management books, he presents his case in the context of a fictional organization, and in doing so succeeds at communicating his ideas. The scenarios are recognizable and can be applied anywhere teamwork is involved, whether it is a multinational company, a small department within a larger organization, or a sports team. At the end of the story, the main points are summarized, and clearly expressed suggestions and exercises are offered to help bring about change. Concise and easy to follow, this program is recommended for anyone who is a member of a team that needs improvement.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is also available in print from Wiley.

Patrick Lencioni is president of The Table Group, a San Francisco Bay Area management consulting firm and the author of the best-selling books The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive and The Five Temptations of a CEO. He is on numerous advisory boards, and sits on the National Board of Directors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. Pat lives with his wife Laura and his twin boys, Matthew and Connor, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Charles Stransky has narrated many short stories as well as The Sword and the Shield: The Mitrokhin Archive and the Secret History of the KGB. He has also appeared in numerous television shows; in several films; and on the Off-Broadway and Broadway stage.

Executive Producer: Karen DiMattia
Producer: John McElroy
© 2002 Patrick Lencioni
(P)2002 Random House Inc.