This is the promise of The Advantage, Patrick Lencioni’s bold manifesto about the most unexploited opportunity in modern business. In his immensely readable and accessible style, Lencioni makes the case that there is no better way to achieve profound improvement in an organization than by attacking the root causes of dysfunction, politics, and confusion.
While too many leaders are still limiting their search for advantage to conventional and largely exhausted areas like marketing, strategy, and technology, Lencioni demonstrates that there is an untapped gold mine sitting right beneath them. Instead of trying to become smarter, he asserts that leaders and organizations need to shift their focus to becoming healthier, allowing them to tap into the more-than-sufficient intelligence and expertise they already have.
The author of numerous best-selling business fables including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and Death by Meeting, Lencioni here draws upon his 20 years of writing, field research, and executive consulting to some of the world’s leading organizations. He combines real-world stories and anecdotes with practical, actionable advice to create a work that is at once a great read and an invaluable, hands-on tool. The result is, without a doubt, Lencioni’s most comprehensive, significant, and essential work to date.
©2012 Patrick Lencioni (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
"More please"
I have read all Patrick Lencioni's books twice, except for this one because it only came out in March. I plan to read it again within a year. I liked his book because it combined content from all his books. It is almost a how to lead and run a company. Though I wish it had a fable. By the time I got to the end of the book I wanted to read it again. So there was only initial disappointment that it did not have a fable.
The message.
His passion.
How leadership should be executed.
Wish it had a fable. Patrick's fables are fun and comprehendible.
"Excellent book, well-read by the author himself"
In my opinion Lencioni's model for a healthy organization is very good! The audible read is well done, and read by the author himself. Lencioni reads well. I had listened to some of his talks on youtube, so was especially glad to hear him read his own book. Lencioni states the premise of his book thusly: "The single greatest advantage any company can achieve is organizational health. Yet it is ignored by most leaders even though it is simple, free, and available to anyone who wants it." I am a pastor of a Presbyterian Church, and although there are significant differences in a church and business and what makes them healthy, nevertheless, the church functions as an organization in part, and much of what Lencioni says is as applicable to the church in that respect as to other organizations. Because the "leadership team" of churches -- especially smaller and middle-sized churches -- is scattered throughout the week, some of his comments about "meetings" are not feasible; but others are very significant. This book brings together the models presented in several business fables Lencioni has written, and I personally am very appreciative of both the fables and this compilation of his thought. I highly commend it.
"Best Business Book in decades"
This is a great common sense book that will help any business!
This is the best overall book - it is the result of many years of experience and study
You will learn something from this book about working in and leading businesses
"Hits the nail on the head!"
Patrick does an excellent job presenting his latest book. This book ranks among the best I have listened to.
Surprisingly few people have written about organizational health in this manner. This is really helpful stuff. Books like Good to Great, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and Start with WHY mesh well with the message presented in The Advantage.
It is even more impactful when the author presents the book himself.
It caused me to be introspective.
"Excellent Very Usef"
I only wish I'd read this book years ago. I would have been a better and more effective team member.
I liked the information and stories.
Good narration - didn't realize it was the author until now.
Didn't laugh or cry but came away feeling I wouldn't like the discomfort of these exercises.
Good book - excellent analysis but I didn't always agree with his solution.
"Health Over Smarts"
Lencioni describes the competitive advantage that a healthy organization provides to taking your organization to the next level. And it's a lot more fun working in a healthy company!
He then provides a framework to implement a healthy organization. Easy to follow and to implement.
"Lencioni Delivers"
A fan of Mr. Lencioni previous business fables, I enjoyed this book written in non-fictional direct how-to style.
"Worth the Read"
As I see it, just common sense. However, too simple for this "let's make it complicated so it looks significant" world. I keep saying, "well yeah". Businesses will either hear something new or recognize what is true about what makes work life healthy, wealthy and wise.
starpack
"Good book - bad choice for audio book"
I really liked it - but the flaw in my plan is that I cannot highlight an audio book or make notes in the margins!!