What happens to a culture when leaders ignore problems?

In episode 252 of At The Table, Patrick and Cody explore the leadership principle of running toward the fire. They discuss why leaders often ignore the “smoke” of personnel or cultural issues, hoping problems will resolve themselves. Instead, they argue that credibility, trust, and organizational health are built when leaders courageously confront issues before they spread.

Topics explored in this episode:

00:35 – Seeing Smoke

* Leaders set the tone by how they respond to problems.

03:33 – Defining the Fire

* Personnel problems are the most commonly ignored fires in organizations.

06:03 – Why Leaders Avoid the Fire

* Confrontation feels messy and uncomfortable, especially when emotions are involved.

09:45 – The Cost of Avoidance

* Ignoring smoke damages credibility, weakens leadership muscle, and sets a bad cultural example.

12:20 – Regaining Credibility

* Leaders can only rebuild trust through visible action, not promises.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com.

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

In what ways can the formula for change be useful for understanding both personal and organizational change?

In episode 251 of At The Table, Patrick and Cody explore the so-called change equation, a simple yet powerful formula that explains why some change efforts succeed while others stall. Breaking it down into dissatisfaction, vision, and a first simple step—multiplied together—they show how these elements must outweigh resistance for change to occur.

Topics explored in this episode:

0:55 – The Change Equation

3:17 – D: Dissatisfaction with the Current State

* How leaders and individuals can identify and amplify dissatisfaction.

4:38 – V: Vision for a Better Future

* The importance of painting a clear and compelling future state.

6:52 – F: The First Simple Step

* Why a small, achievable action builds momentum and reduces overwhelm.

17:59 – R: Resistance to Change

* How fear, comfort, and uncertainty fuel resistance.

Here are some additional notes that relate to the equation explored in this episode:

D × V × F > R.

D = Dissatisfaction with how things are now.

V = Vision of what is possible.

F = First concrete steps that can be taken towards the vision.

If the product of these three factors is greater than R = Resistance, then change is possible. Because D, V, and F are multiplied, if any one is absent (zero) or low, then the product will be zero or low and therefore not capable of overcoming the resistance.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com.

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

How would your workplace culture change if love and service were driving forces?

In episode 250 of At The Table, Pat and Cody introduce the concepts of BaaM (Business as a Ministry) and WaaM (Work as a Ministry). They explore how viewing business and work through the lens of service and love can create healthier workplaces and stronger organizations. Whether you’re leading a public company or managing a small team, this conversation will invite how you think about purpose, culture, and results.

Topics explored in this episode:

(0:32) Business as a Ministry (BaaM)

* How businesses can be seen as a way to serve others with love, going beyond just the transactional goal of making money

(3:10) The Case for Love in Business

* Tim Sanders’ book Love Is the Killer App.

* How fear-based businesses struggle while love-centered cultures thrive.

* The challenge of applying BaaM in public companies.

(5:48) Work as a Ministry (Waam)

* WaaM can be useful for employees in less purpose-driven organizations.

(8:07) Ministry Doesn’t Sacrifice Results

* John Gordon’s belief that love fuels high performance.

* Love-driven work produces results, but should be pursued because it’s right.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com.

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.