Team Triumph: Five Power Moves Each Team Member Can Make

Steve Weiss
Transformational Leadership Academy

As a team member, you might think that the responsibility for a team’s success lies with the leader. However, Patrick Lencioni shows that every member has a crucial role in The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. By understanding the common dysfunctions that hold teams back, you can take steps to contribute meaningfully to the team’s success. Here's how you can help your team overcome these dysfunctions and thrive.

1. Build Trust by Being Open and Honest

Trust is the foundation of any successful team. Often, teams struggle because members are afraid to show vulnerability, worrying they’ll be judged or seen as weak. However, the opposite is true—when team members are open about their challenges, strengths, and weaknesses, they build stronger connections and trust.

Your Role: Be willing to share your own challenges and ask for help when you need it. Admit your mistakes and acknowledge when you don’t know something. This openness will encourage others to do the same, creating a team where everyone feels safe to be honest and authentic. The more trust you build, the better your team will function.

2. Embrace Constructive Conflict

Conflict often gets a bad reputation, but it’s necessary for team growth. Healthy conflict allows team members to debate ideas, challenge each other, and ultimately arrive at better solutions. When teams avoid conflict, important issues go unresolved, and the team's creativity and problem-solving potential is diminished.

Your Role: Don’t avoid speaking up if you disagree or have a different perspective. Voice your opinions respectfully and be open to hearing opposing views. It’s not about being right but about finding the best solution for the team. Engaging in constructive conflict can help your team explore new ideas and improve decision-making.

3. Commit Fully to Team Decisions

After discussions and debates, it’s crucial that the team commits to decisions made, even if not everyone’s ideas were chosen. Without commitment, members can become disengaged, which weakens the entire team’s ability to perform at its best.

Your Role: Once the team makes a decision, support it fully, even if it wasn’t your preferred option. A unified approach is key to moving forward. By committing to team decisions, you show that you’re aligned with the group’s goals and willing to contribute to the success of the overall plan.

4. Hold Yourself and Your Teammates Accountable

Accountability isn’t just the leader’s responsibility—it’s up to every team member to hold themselves and each other accountable. When team members avoid accountability, standards drop, which can hurt performance and lead to frustration.

Your Role: First, hold yourself accountable for meeting deadlines and fulfilling your responsibilities. If you see a teammate falling short, offer them support or feedback in a constructive way. Remember, it’s about helping each other succeed and maintaining high standards as a team.

5. Focus on Team Success Over Personal Goals

Sometimes, team dysfunction happens because members prioritize their own interests over the team’s goals. Successful teams work toward collective results, where everyone’s focus is on achieving shared objectives rather than individual success.

Your Role: Align your actions with the team’s goals, even if it means putting your personal ambitions aside for the moment. Celebrate team accomplishments and look for ways to contribute to the team’s overall success. When you focus on the bigger picture, you help create a more unified and productive team.

Final Thoughts: Your Role in Team Success

As a team member, you have the power to influence the team’s dynamics and contribute to its success. Building trust, embracing conflict, committing to decisions, holding each other accountable, and focusing on collective results can help your team overcome the dysfunctions that hold many groups back. A team's strength comes not just from its leader but from the contributions of every individual. Be the teammate who helps your group reach its full potential.