We’ve all been in one – a team that’s not really a team.  A team is made up of individuals, all of whom have their own agendas, wants & needs.  Getting on the same page and moving in the same direction takes some effort.

Hopefully we’ve also had the experience of being on a team that actually functioned as a team.  The functional team understands its mission TOGETHER while valuing individual input, talent & effort. 

I recently re-read a classic business book – The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.  The book is supremely readable by business book standards.  It tells the story of a dysfunctional team made functional with the support and urging of an outstanding leader.  I’ve rephrased the five dysfunctions as functions – the necessary ingredients for a successful team:

This doesn’t happen overnight – it’s a process.  Building trust is the first and most foundational ingredient in creating a successful team.