Reef Reads - Why Your Team’s Real Problem Isn’t Trust—It’s Commitment

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

Many teams think they’re aligned because no one disagrees. But silence isn’t commitment—it’s a warning sign. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni breaks down what really keeps teams from thriving—and why commitment often falls apart without conflict. Lencioni flips the script on what strong teams actually need: clarity over consensus, courage over comfort, and decisions that everyone owns—even when not everyone agrees.

Key Takeaways (Focus: Commitment)

• Commitment isn’t consensus. Lencioni makes it clear: great teams don’t need everyone to agree—they need everyone to be heard, and then to move forward together.
• Lack of healthy conflict kills clarity. When teams avoid hard conversations, they never truly decide, leading to vague direction, missed expectations, and second-guessing.
• Disagree and Commit, It’s a Superpower. When everyone has bought in—even after disagreement—execution improves, accountability rises, and meetings become action-driven.
• Commitment Fuels Accountability and Results. Without commitment, you can’t have real accountability. Without accountability, results suffer. It’s not just one dysfunction—it’s a chain reaction.

Closing

If your team keeps revisiting the same issue—or nods in meetings but resists in action—you may have a commitment gap.
You don’t need more meetings.
You need a moment of clarity.
What’s one decision your team needs to stop circling—and start owning?