Patrick Lencioni’s book, Silos, Politics and Turf Wars is an enjoyable read that I would recommend for any organization. Written as a fable, Lencioni seeks to destroy “barriers that turn colleagues into competitors.” In one of the most critical, yet constructive, portions of the book (pg. 177), Lencioni writes, “If there is a place where the blame for silos and politics belongs, it is at the top of an organization. Every departmental silo in any company can ultimately be traced back to the leaders of those departments, who have failed to understand the interdependencies that must exist among the executive team, or who have failed to make those interdependencies clear to the people deeper in their own departments. Thankfully, there is a simple and powerful way for those leaders to create a common sense of purpose, and a context for interdependency: they must establish, for the executive team as well as the rest of the organization, a rallying cry. A thematic goal.” The author demonstrates how a “thematic goal,” supported by action points referred to as “defining objectives,” can break down barriers and move organizations forward within six to twelve months. For more information and other books by Lencioni visit http://www.tablegroup.com/.
