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At the Table with Patrick Lencioni

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241. Beware of Success

At the Table with Patrick Lencioni
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About At The Table

Sit across the table from one of the foremost experts in leadership and business. In his simple and approachable style, Pat tackles every topic related to the world of work (and some that aren’t). From culture to family to building world-class organizations, Pat brings his wisdom, humor, and insight together to provide actionable advice for leaders everywhere.

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Episode 241podcast microphone image
04/29/2025

Beware of Success

What happens when the external validation of your success conflicts with your internal values and purpose?  In episode 241 of At The Table, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore the hidden dangers of traditional success metrics. They also discuss how businesses and individuals can lose their way when they chase recognition that doesn’t align with their original purpose. Topics explored in this episode:  (0:40) The Michelin Star Story * How a small restaurant in Italy gave up its Michelin star to stay true to its identity. (4:51) Aligning Success With Intentions * Why companies lose their way when they follow external expectations. * The importance of anchoring decisions to the question: “Why do we exist?” (8:46) Success and Personal Growth * Arthur Brooks’ wisdom about valuing the process over outcomes. * How personal definitions of success change over time, especially in creative fields. (13:02) The Cost of Chasing the Wrong Goals * How woundedness can drive people to seek approval through achievements. * Reflections on athletes and leaders who chose integrity over external trophies. * Why true success means being proud of who you’re becoming, not just what you achieve. (17:53) Staying Grounded Amid Temptation * Lessons from early Table Group decisions to resist the IPO craze. * The ultimate call to stick to your “why” for lasting fulfillment. Books mentioned in this episode:  * Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. * The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else In Business by Patrick Lencioni. * From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks. This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.  At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).  Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth and http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial.  Connect with Cody Thompson https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-thompson-a5918850.  Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).  Let us know your feedback via [email protected].  This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

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Episode 240podcast microphone image
04/15/2025

A Different Look at DOGE

Why is it so difficult to reform government inefficiencies? And what can organizations and households learn from eliminating waste in large, public institutions?  In episode #240 of At The Table, Pat and Cody explore the concept of government efficiency through the lens of organizational health. Drawing comparisons between the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the federal government, and dysfunctional teams, they highlight the painful necessity of accountability and cutting waste.  Topics explored in this episode:  (01:04) Reframing DOGE  * The goal is to explore waste and accountability without partisan heat, looking instead at structure and culture. (6:09) Government vs. Private Sector * The federal government is not set up to be a team like private sector organizations. (10:47) The Storage Unit Analogy * Cody shares a story of trying to help a hoarder consolidate two storage units, which becomes a metaphor for government systems that resist change. (15:24) Accountability  * Leadership requires doing what is right, even when it’s unpopular or emotionally difficult. (20:44) Mistakes Will Happen * Even a well-intentioned cleanup will result in some regrettable losses. * Without a willingness to risk minor mistakes, the entire system remains unsustainable. (25:31) DOGE in Your Organization * The hosts discuss applying DOGE at the Table Group.  * Even healthy organizations benefit from periodically eliminating waste. This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.  At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.  Follow Pat Lencioni on LinkedIn and YouTube.  Connect with Cody Thompson on LinkedIn.  Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.  Let us know your feedback via [email protected].  This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/ 

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Episode 239podcast microphone image
04/01/2025

Does Fear or Joy Drive Your Leadership Style?

How can we start to address unresolved challenges in our lives that impact people profoundly and sometimes in painful ways?  In this episode, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson discuss the podcast’s return after a six-month break, and a shift in content to include broader societal and cultural issues. Pat also shares his personal journey of self-discovery, focusing on addressing his own wounds and trauma, and explores how this deeply personal work relates to leadership and organizational health.

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Episode 2024podcast microphone image
10/02/2024

Fall 2024 Announcement

We’re taking a break from uploading new episodes this fall, but we’re looking forward to a return in 2025.  Thank you to all of our listeners!     To take the Six Types of Working Genius Assessment:   Check out the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team Assessment:   To become a Working Genius Certified Facilitator:  

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Episode 238podcast microphone image
09/25/2024

Conflict Scarcity

We’ve mentioned in the past that we think the modern workplace is in a ‘conflict drought’.  This week, Pat, Cody and Beau discuss the relationship between trust and conflict, and get to the bottom of what we’re really missing.     To listen to the Working Genius Podcast:   This week’s unpaid ad:

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