Two Questions with Patrick Lencioni

Last week, I had the opportunity to ask Patrick Lencioni two questions.

First, I asked if he’d consider making his podcast an hour long because my commute is longer than the episodes. I may have been only half joking.

Then I asked something I’ve always wondered. After all the years since writing The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, and after the wisdom gained from decades of working with leaders, is there anything he would change?

His answer surprised me.

He said he’s sure there are things he would change, although he’s not exactly sure what they are. He thought he might order the dysfunctions differently. But more importantly, he said he would probably lead with The Motive.

That answer stuck with me.

If you haven’t read The Motive, I can’t recommend it enough. It challenges one of the most fundamental questions every leader should ask themselves: Why do I want to lead?

Too often, leadership is viewed as a reward, a promotion, or a position of status. The Motive reminds us that leadership is actually a responsibility. It’s choosing the hard conversations, making difficult decisions, serving others before yourself, and carrying burdens that most people never see.

Competence matters. Strategy matters. Culture matters.

But if your motivation for leading is wrong, none of those things will ever reach their full potential.

I first picked up The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team in 2008, and it fundamentally changed how I think about trust, vulnerability, and building healthy organizations. Hearing Patrick say he would now start with The Motive gave me a whole new perspective. Before you can build a healthy team, you have to understand why you want to lead one in the first place.

Some lessons get better with age. This was one of them.

And Pat… if you’re reading this, my commute is still longer than your podcast. I’m looking forward to that shout-out!