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At the Table with Patrick Lencioni

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263. Short Range Strategy

At the Table with Patrick Lencioni
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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 263podcast microphone image
03/03/2026

Short Range Strategy

How can strategy stay intentional when planning cycles keep shrinking? In episode 263 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson examine how the pace of change has transformed strategic planning. What once centered on five or ten-year plans now often lives within a three to six-month horizon. Rather than viewing this shift as chaotic, Patrick and Cody explain why a short-cycle strategy can be more responsible and effective. They explore how clarity of purpose and strong organizational health provide the stability needed to navigate constant change. Topics explored in this episode: (00:03:57) Why Planning Horizons Have Shrunk Technology and the rapid flow of information have dramatically accelerated the pace of change. Businesses and industries now evolve so quickly that long-term certainty is nearly impossible. (00:07:24) Planning Without Panic A short-term strategy should not be confused with constant urgency or chaos. Leaders can use sprint-based planning and frequent reassessment to stay intentional and focused. (00:11:13) Values Replace Long-Term Predictions Clear purpose and behavioral values now anchor organizations more than long-range forecasts. Teams should focus on reaching the next base camp rather than mapping the entire journey. (00:14:08) Organizational Health Creates Resilience Strong culture and clarity provide stability when strategies must change quickly. Healthy organizations can survive rapid shifts while competitors without strong foundations struggle. 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://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), 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 262podcast microphone image
02/17/2026

Be an Extremist

What are you willing to repel in order to attract the right people? In this episode of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson challenge the idea that businesses should try to appeal to everyone. Instead, they argue for being intentionally extreme in two areas: core values and strategic anchors. When organizations are unmistakably clear about how they behave and how they succeed, they naturally repel the wrong employees and customers while attracting the right ones. Through examples like In-N-Out, Dutch Bros, Costco, and Nordstrom, they show how clarity and conviction create a stronger culture, cleaner decision-making, and more loyal teams and customers.

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Episode 261podcast microphone image
02/03/2026

Think Like A Six-Year-Old

Are you creating a workplace environment that feels like a cage or a park? In episode 261 of At The Table, Patrick and Cody unpack a powerful metaphor—“cocaine water”—to explain the dangers of isolation at work. Drawing from a well-known behavioral experiment that involves cages and parks, they connect addiction, loneliness, and disengagement to modern workplace culture. The conversation makes a compelling case that real connection at work fuels not only productivity but also dignity, healing, and human flourishing. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Embracing Humility and Vulnerability * Importance of admitting lack of understanding * Challenges in societal pressures (07:32) The Power of Simplicity * Importance of clear and understandable explanations * The impact of simplicity in business settings (14:45) Personal Accountability and Mentorship * Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through personal accountability * Role of organizational mentors in reinforcing basic principles * Parallels between personal and organizational growth (21:19) Success Through Simplicity and Discipline * Requirements for organizational success * Test of true understanding and leadership 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://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), 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 260podcast microphone image
01/20/2026

Isolation vs. Connection

Are you creating a workplace environment that feels like a cage or a park? In episode 260 of At The Table, Patrick and Cody unpack a powerful metaphor—“cocaine water”—to explain the dangers of isolation at work. Drawing from a well-known behavioral experiment that involves cages and parks, they connect addiction, loneliness, and disengagement to modern workplace culture. The conversation makes a compelling case that real connection at work fuels not only productivity but also dignity, healing, and human flourishing. Topics explored in this episode: (01:23) The Cocaine Water Experiment * A behavioral experiment shows how isolation drives destructive choices, while community changes behavior. * The concept of a “rat park” illustrates how connection can eliminate addiction entirely. (04:08) Isolation and Remote Work * Reframing the remote-work debate as a question of human connection rather than location. (07:52) Dignity and Productivity Are Not Opposites * Connection improves results, satisfaction, and performance simultaneously. (13:54) Why Humans Need Multiple Communities * People are designed for varied relationships, not constant isolation or constant proximity. * Healthy work provides experiences worth bringing home and sharing with others. 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://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), 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 259podcast microphone image
01/06/2026

Beware the High Achiever

If you’re achieving at a high level while ignoring the health of your inner life, how can you reset? In episode 259 of At The Table, Pat and Cody explore why high achievement can be a warning sign rather than a badge of honor. They explain how leaders often use success to compensate for fear, insecurity, or unresolved personal issues. The conversation underscores that true leadership effectiveness begins with inner health long before it shows up in organizational results. Topics explored in this episode: (00:30) The Real Cost of High Achievement * High achievement often masks deeper personal wounds and unmet internal needs. * Why leaders must address their spiritual, emotional, and relational health before chasing success. (03:15) The Inner Circle of Influence * How Stephen Covey’s “circle of influence” applies to a leader’s need to focus first on their internal well-being. * How fear can become the engine driving unsustainable achievement. (05:35) Organizational Health Begins With Leader Health * Warning signs: neglecting physical health, spiritual life, or family relationships despite outward business success. (09:27) Pat’s Personal Journey With Identity and Achievement * Pat opens up about decades spent tying his sense of worth to professional success and learning to shift toward internal wholeness. (14:25) Beware the High Achiever in Yourself and Others * Encouraging leaders to pursue hobbies imperfectly, embrace being “not the best,” and refuse to let performance define identity. 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://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), 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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