The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate The Three Essential Virtues

Praise for The Ideal Team Player

"No business author alive today packs more wisdom per page than Patrick Lencioni. This book is elegant in its simplicity and will radically alter what it means to be a true team player."
Travis Bradberry, co–author, Emotional Intelligence 2.0

"I′ve used this model with my executive team, and it flat out works!"
Steve Smith, CEO, Equinix, Inc.

"In his signature story–telling style, Lencioni brings to life the three foundational virtues of a real team player. Let everyone in your organization read this book and watch your results soar."
Verne Harnish, founder of Entrepreneurs′ Organization (EO); author, Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0)

"Determining who will join the team is critical to an organization′s competitive advantage. In The Ideal Team Player, Pat Lencioni simplifies that process and empowers leaders to make great people decisions."
Dee Ann Turner, 30–year vice president of talent, Chick–fil–A, Inc.

"Pat Lencioni tells this story with simplicity, common sense, and amazing wisdom. It′s a must–read for everyone from CEOs to first time employees."
Bob Ladouceur, legendary football coach, De La Salle High School; subject of the movie When The Game Stands Tall

Introduction ix

The Fable 1

Part One: The Situation 3

Part Two: Diagnosis 11

Part Three: Discovery 55

Part Four: Implementation 89

Part Five: Indicators 135

The Model 153

The Three Virtues of an Ideal Team Player 155

Defining the Three Virtues 157

The History of the Model 162

The Ideal Team Player Model 165

Application 174

Connecting the Ideal Team Player Model with the Five Dysfunctions of a Team 210

Beyond Work Teams 214

Acknowledgments 215

About the Author 217

Patrick M. Lencioni is president of The Table Group, a management consulting firm specializing in executive team development and organizational health. As a consultant and keynote speaker, he has worked with thousands of senior executives and their executive teams in organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to high–tech startups to universities and nonprofits. Lencioni is the author of ten best–selling books, including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and The Advantage. He previously worked for Oracle, Sybase, and the management consulting firm Bain & Company.