What Are the Five Dysfunctions of a Team?

A high-performing team is essential to any organization’s success, but many leaders face significant challenges in achieving this. What are the five dysfunctions of a team? These dysfunctions, often rooted in poor communication, misalignment, and a lack of trust, can undermine your team’s performance and productivity. In fact, 79% of U.S. employees report not trusting their leadership, resulting in costly disengagement. This lack of trust contributes to a staggering $8.9 trillion in lost global GDP each year, making dysfunction a serious financial burden for businesses.

For CEOs and executives, understanding the root causes of team dysfunction is crucial for fostering a healthy, productive work environment. Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team framework offers a powerful tool to identify and address these challenges. As Christian leaders, building a team is about more than just completing tasks—it’s about creating a culture of trust, accountability, and shared purpose that drives results.

What Are the Five Dysfunctions of a Team?

In order to truly transform your team, it’s essential to understand the core issues that may be holding them back. Let’s explore the five dysfunctions of a team and uncover practical strategies for overcoming each one to build a stronger, more cohesive group.

1. Absence of trust

Team members who are unwilling to be vulnerable in companies prevent collaboration. Your team may be:

• Afraid to admit mistakes
• Reluctant to ask for help
• Guarded with their communication

From a Christian perspective, Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts. This principle can be applied to leadership by taking mitigated risks to trust those on our team while trusting God with the outcomes.

2. Fear of conflict

Avoiding conflict doesn’t make it any less problematic. It creates an artificial harmony that creates limitations for teams. Real issues don’t surface until they are very big issues. Your team may be:

• Unwilling to challenge ideas
• Avoiding healthy debate of information in meetings
• Holding conversations behind closed doors

Reflect on Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” With this in mind, think about how you can encourage and embrace healthy conflict to strengthen your team.

3. Lack of commitment

The third sign is particularly concerning, as it indicates your employees may not be fully committed to your business. When teams hesitate to make decisions or take action, it can stall progress. This is where the “Disagree and Commit” principle, popularized by Jeff Bezos, can make a difference.

Signs may include:

• Indecision
• Lack of follow-through
• Repeated discussions without any resolution

Addressing a lack of commitment begins with setting clear goals and aligning your team around a shared vision. Encouraging open communication and providing support will help your team move beyond hesitation and take decisive action. Creating a culture of commitment empowers individuals to take ownership, driving the team toward greater success.

4. Avoidance of accountability

Accountability is essential for building an efficient team. Without it, team members may tolerate lower standards, missed deadlines, and a decline in performance, ultimately affecting overall productivity.

Signs may include:

• Leaders avoiding tough conversations
• Passive aggression among peers
• Inconsistent expectations

Galatians 6:1 encourages believers to gently correct and restore one another with kindness and humility.

5. Inattention to results

When personal ambition takes precedence over team success, performance suffers. This can manifest when team members prioritize their individual achievements over the collective goals of the team. In addressing this dysfunction, we can look to Jesus as the ultimate example of servant leadership. By fostering a team culture that values the mission over personal gain, leaders can shift the focus back to collective success and drive greater results.

How Leaders Can Overcome These Dysfunctions

Addressing the five dysfunctions of a team starts with focused, intentional leadership. Recognizing these issues within your organization allows you to take proactive steps toward fostering a more cohesive and high-performing team. Here are key areas to focus on:

• Build Trust: Model vulnerability, encourage transparency, and invest in relationships throughout your organization.
• Encourage Healthy Conflict: Establish ground rules for constructive debates and create an environment where team members feel comfortable voicing their thoughts and objections.
• Foster Commitment: Set clear, actionable goals, ensure alignment across the team, and communicate effectively so everyone understands their role and expectations.
• Emphasize Accountability: Clearly define expectations, provide consistent feedback, and celebrate progress. Address missed opportunities with a focus on growth and improvement.
• Focus on Collective Results: Align individual contributions with the team’s overall success, ensuring everyone is working toward a common goal.

Transforming Your Team’s Culture

So, what are the five dysfunctions of a team, and how can you overcome them? Dysfunctional teams don’t have to be inevitable. With intentional effort, you have the power to transform your team’s culture. Prioritizing trust, healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and collective results will help you cultivate a team that thrives. As a Christian leader, fostering collaboration and Kingdom-minded leadership will set the foundation for lasting success.

At C12 South Florida, we’re here to support you with faith-driven leadership insights. Let’s work together to overcome these challenges and build a team that reflects your values and vision.