The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

Chapter 38. RALLY

Back at the office, Kathryn held an all-hands meeting to discuss Mikey's departure and other company issues. In spite of her typically tactful and gracious demeanor, the news provoked more concern among employees than the executives had expected. And though they agreed that the reaction had more to do with its symbolic meaning than with losing Mikey in particular, it dampened the enthusiasm of the team.

So during the next staff meeting, Kathryn had the group spend more than an hour discussing how they were going to replace their head of marketing. After a heated debate about whether to promote one of Mikey's direct reports, Kathryn stepped in to break the tie.

"All right. This has been a good discussion, and I think I've heard ...