Open, frank communication is the lynchpin to teamwork. A fractured team is like a fractured bone; fixing it is always painful and sometimes you have to re-break it to heal it fully - and the re-break always hurts more because it is intentional.
Interpretation
Effective communication is essential for teamwork, and repairing a broken team can be a painful process.
In this quote, Patrick Lencioni emphasizes the crucial role of open and honest communication in fostering effective teamwork. He compares a dysfunctional team to a broken bone, suggesting that just as it is necessary to endure pain to heal a fracture, teams may need to confront difficult conversations and challenges to restore their functionality, reminding us that this process can be intentionally painful but ultimately necessary for long-term health and success.
In practice
During a team retreat, a manager might use this quote to reinforce the need for open discussions about team dynamics.
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The kind of people that all teams need are people who are humble, hungry, and smart: humble being little ego, focusing more on their teammates than on themselves. Hungry, meaning they have a strong work ethic, are determined to get things done, and contribute any way they can. Smart, meaning not intellectually smart but inner personally smart.
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