The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive

A gripping tale that reveals what occupies the minds of the world’s best business leaders

As CEO, most everything that Rich O'Connor did had something to do with at least one of the four disciplines on his famed "yellow sheet." Some of the firm's executives joked that he was obsessed with it.

Interestingly, only a handful of people knew what was on that sheet, and so it remained something of a mystery. Which was okay with Rich, because no one really needed to understand it, other than him. He certainly never suspected that it would become the blueprint of an employee's plan to destroy the firm.

In this stunning follow-up to his best-selling book, The Five Temptations of a CEO, Patrick Lencioni offers up another leadership fable that's every bit as compelling and illuminating as its predecessor.

This time, Lencioni's focus is on a leader's crucial role in building a healthy organization - an often overlooked but essential element of business life that is the linchpin of sustained success.

Readers are treated to a story of corporate intrigue as Rich O'Connor, fictional CEO of technology consulting company Telegraph Partners, faces a leadership challenge so great that it threatens to topple his company, his career and everything he holds true about what makes a leader truly exceptional.

In the story's telling, Lencioni deftly helps his readers understand the disarming simplicity and power of creating a healthy organization and reveals four key disciplines that they can follow to achieve it.

In The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive, Lencioni delivers an utterly gripping tale with a powerful and memorable message for all who strive to be remarkable leaders.

Ein wichtiger Schlüssel zum Unternehmenserfolg liegt in einer gesunden Unternehmensstruktur. Lencioni erläutert vier einfache Prinzipien, von denen sich ein Unternehmen bei Aufbau und Aufrechterhaltung einer gesunden Unternehmenskultur leiten lassen sollte. Diese spannende Erzählung handelt von Vince Green, CEO von Greenwich Consulting und Rich O' Connor, CEO von Telegraph Consulting. Die Geschichte ist aber nicht nur spannend, sondern auch lehrreich: Der Schlüssel zu O'Connors Erfolg liegt in seiner Fähigkeit, sich auf die 4 scheinbar einfachen, doch absolut wesentlichen Disziplinen zu konzentrieren. Es wird aber auch deutlich, welche Gefahren lauern und wieviel Umsicht es erfordert, die Unternehmenskultur dauerhaft gesund zu erhalten.

The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive ix

Introduction xi

THE FABLE

PART ONE: GREEN’S PAIN 1

The Rival 3

Reconnaissance 5

PART TWO: THE HISTORY 9

Two CEOs 11

Desperate Epiphany 14

Practice 17

The Gatekeeper 20

Asleep at the Gate 22

Misorientation 28

Hesitation 31

Confrontation 34

The Virus 38

Mending Fences 40

Off-Sites 43

Meadowood 46

The Day of Reckoning 56

360° Feedback 63

Unraveling 71

Cold Water 74

Moment of Truth 76

PART THREE: GREEN’S OPPORTUNITY 83

Reacquaintance 85

Contact 88

Discipline One 93

Discipline Two 100

Discipline Three 107

Discipline Four 113

The Realization 127

PART FOUR: THE RESOLUTION 129

The Decision 131

White Flag 133

Afterword 135

ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH:THE MODEL 137

Putting the Disciplines into Practice:

A Summary and Self-Assessment 139

Acknowledgments 181

About the Author 183

"Another homerun by Lencioni! This will be the first book we give to the thousands of executives who take part in our program." (Verne Harnish, founder, Young Entrepreneurs' Organization; CEO, Gazelles, Inc.)
"This is a wonderful book--a compelling story with a significant message for executives. The lessons here are substantial, and the style of writing is succinct, thorough, and very entertaining." (David S. Pottruck, president & co-CEO, The Charles Schwab Corporation)
"Since implementing these ideas within our company, I've seen morale and productivity increase dramatically. Lencioni encourages us as managers to deal with human issues that are not quickly quantifiable in a spreadsheet or a quarterly report." (Glenn Kiser, vice president and general manager, Skywalker Sound, Lucas Digital LTD.LLC)
"Another great page-turner from Lencioni! As fun to read as it is insightful." (John Donahoe, worldwide managing director, Bain & Company)
"Pat's formula, while elegantly simple, has profound implications for leaders in all sectors. It's right on the mark." (Paula VanNess, president & CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America)
"The four disciplines are the foundation of my company and should be required reading for all start-up ventures." (Mark Weidick, president and CEO, Cymerc Exchange, Inc.)
"This is a powerful model for any organization, large or small. Lencioni knows his stuff." (Mark Hoffman, chairman & CEO, Commerce One)

PATRICK M. LENCIONI is founder and president of The Table Group, a management consulting firm specializing in executive team development and organizational health. As a consultant and keynote speaker, he has worked with thousands of senior executives and their teams in organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to high-tech startups to universities and nonprofits. Lencioni is the author 11 bestselling books, including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and The Advantage.

To learn more about Patrick, and the products and services offered by his firm, The Table Group, please visit www.tablegroup.com.

THE FOUR OBSESSIONS of an EXTRAORDINARY EXECUTIVE

As CEO, most everything that Rich O'Connor did had something to do with at least one of the four disciplines on his famed "yellow sheet." Some of the firm's executives joked that he was obsessed with it. Interestingly, only a handful of people actually knew what was on that sheet, and so it remained something of a mystery. Which was okay with Rich, because no one really needed to understand it, other than him. He certainly never suspected that it would become the blueprint of an employee's plan to destroy the firm.

In this stunning follow-up to his best-selling book, The Five Temptations of a CEO, Patrick Lencioni offers up another leadership fable that's every bit as compelling and illuminating as its predecessor.

This time, Lencioni's focus is on a leader's crucial role in building a healthy organization—an often overlooked but essential element of business life that is the linchpin of sustained success.

Readers are treated to a story of corporate intrigue as Rich O'Connor, fictional CEO of technology consulting company Telegraph Partners, faces a leadership challenge so great that it that threatens to topple his company, his career and everything he holds true about what makes a leader.

In the story's telling, Lencioni deftly helps his readers understand the disarming simplicity and power of creating a healthy organization, and reveals four key disciplines that they can follow to achieve it.

Once again, Lencioni delivers an utterly gripping tale with a powerful and memorable message for all who strive to be extraordinary leaders.

PRAISE FOR OBSESSIONS

"Another homerun by Lencioni! This will be the first book we give to the thousands of executives who take part in our program."
—Verne Harnish, founder, Young Entrepreneurs' Organization; CEO, Gazelles, Inc.

"This is a wonderful book—a compelling story with a significant message for executives. The lessons here are substantial, and the style of writing is succint, thorough, and very entertaining."
—David S. Pottruck, president & co-CEO, The Charles Schwab Corporation; coauthor, Clicks and Mortar

"Since implementing these ideas within our company, I've seen morale and productivity increase dramatically. Lencioni encourages us as managers to deal with human issues that are not quickly quantifiable in a spreadsheet or a quarterly report."
—Glenn Kiser, vice president and general manager, Skywalker Sound, Lucas Digital LTD.LLC

"Another great page-turner from Lencioni! As fun to read as it is insightful.:
—John J. Donahoe, worldwide managing director, Bain & Company, Inc.

"Pat's formula, while elegantly simple, has profound implications for leaders in all sectors. It's right on the mark."
—Paul Van Ness, president & CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America

"This is a powerful model for any organization, large or small. Lencioni knows his stuff."
—Mark Hoffman, chairman & CEO, Commerce One