Silos, Politics and Turf Wars

Practical and hands-on strategies for breaking down silos and minimizing workplace politics

In yet another page-turner, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed management expert Patrick Lencioni addresses the costly and maddening issue of silos: the barriers that create organizational politics. Silos devastate organizations, kill productivity, push good people out the door, and jeopardize the achievement of corporate goals.

As with his other books, Lencioni writes Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars as a fictional—but eerily familiar—story. The story is about Jude Cousins, an eager young management consultant struggling to launch his practice by solving one of the more universal and frustrating problems faced by his clients. Through trial and error, he develops a simple yet ground-breaking approach for helping them transform confusion and infighting into clarity and alignment.

In the book, you’ll find:

• Ways to recognize the devastating–and destructive–power of silos
• How to create an overarching thematic goal or rallying cry for your organization
• Strategies for employees to avoid the confusion that often accompanies working in matrix organizations

Perfect for executives, managers, and other business leaders, Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars will also earn a place in the libraries of consultants and other professionals who serve organizations of all sizes.

Introduction vii

The Fable

Part One: Entrepreneurial Ambition 3

Part Two: Roller Coaster 19

Part Three: Rally 77

Part Four: Moments of Truth 139

The Theory

Introduction to Silos 175

Components of the Model 178

Identifying a Thematic Goal 187

Case Studies 189

Managing and Organizing Around the Thematic Goal 197

Thematic Goals and Long-Term Context 202

Making Matrix Organizations Work 205

Getting Started 207

Acknowledgments 209

About the Author 211

Marketing won't speak to engineering. Sales thinks production hogs the budget. Front desk believes back room's lazy. These sorts of turf wars, which turn outwardly unified companies into groupings of uncommunicative "silos," are the stuff of management lore. According to bestselling author Lencioni (The Five Dysfunctions of a Team), "they waste resources, kill productivity and jeopardize the achievement of goals"—they also drive workers into tizzies of frustration. Like his previous books, Lencioni's latest addresses the management problem through a fictional story; this one revolves around a self-employed consultant named Jude, who has to dismantle silos at an upscale hotel, a technology company and a hospital. Split into two sections, Lencioni's book first shows Jude discovering a solution to silos, then summarizes Jude's lessons into a strategy that readers can apply to any business. Lencioni's proposal is so full of common sense—namely, end turf wars by getting departments to rally around a common goal—that managers will be eager to apply it themselves. Just as refreshing is Lencioni's use of character and plot, which is far above average for the business genre. As sympathetic as Jude is, he makes Lencioni's management lessons memorable. (Mar.) (Publishers Weekly, January 30, 2006)

"...an excellent book that nearly everyone will identify with and benefit from..." (Personnel Today, May 2006)

"... an engaging, simplistic read, and one that reinforced many impressions about the ‘problems within’ and strategies to solve them.” (The British Journal Of Administrative Management, February/March 07)

"...if your business experiences politics... this book may be for you." (EN, the magazine for entrepreneurs, January 2008)

PATRICK 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 in organizations ranging from Fortune 500s and high-tech start-ups to universities and nonprofits. He is the author of nine nationally recognized books, including the New York Times best-seller The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. You can reach him at The Table Group's web site, www.tablegroup.com

For a free downloadable Silo tool, or to sign up for Patrick's newsletter, please visit www.tablegroup.com/silos

SILOS, POLITICS and TURF WARS

ONE WEEK. That's all the time Jude had, because that's when his next workshop would take place at Children's Hospital. And so he became almost obsessed with figuring out the "silo thing," reading everything he could get his hands on having anything to do with organizational politics.

But Jude would not find his answer in any book. It would find him, in a more surprising way than he could ever have imagined.

IN YET ANOTHER page-turner, New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed management expert Patrick Lencioni addresses the costly and maddening issue of silos, the barriers that create organizational politics. Silos devastate organizations, kill productivity, push good people out the door, and jeopardize the achievement of corporate goals. As with his other books, Lencioni writes Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars as a fictional—but eerily realistic—story.

The story is about Jude Cousins, an eager young management consultant struggling to launch his practice by solving one of the more universal and frustrating problems faced by his clients. Through trial and error, he develops a simple yet ground-breaking approach for helping them transform confusion and infighting into clarity and alignment.

Lencioni's latest fable is as practical as it is engrossing. Anyone who has lived through corporate turf wars or experienced the absurdity of departmental politics will find Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars an invaluable resource.

PRAISE FOR SILOS, POLITICS, AND TURF WARS

"Lencioni's theory around alignment is simple and powerful, and could apply to any type of organization, large or small."
—Gary C. Kelly, vice chairman and chief executive officer, Southwest Airlines Co.

"An incisive and insightful look at how companies can recognize and remedy infighting. The tone of Patrick's writing is as warm and readable as the advice itself is sound."
—Michael A. George, chief marketing officer, Dell Inc.

"Lencioni is a master at creating real and tangible company alignment. We're using these principles to rally our people around building a global brand. Huge applause from our entire organization."
—Brian Scudamore, founder & CEO, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

Other Best-Selling Leadership Books by Patrick Lencioni

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Field Guide

The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive

The Five Temptations of a CEO

Death by Meeting "Lencioni's theory around alignment is simple and powerful, and could apply to any type of organization, large or small."
--Gary C. Kelly, vice chairman and chief executive officer, Southwest Airlines Co.

"An incisive and insightful look at how companies can recognize and remedy infighting. The tone of Patrick’s writing is as warm and readable as the advice itself is sound."
--Michael A. George, chief marketing officer, Dell Inc.

"Lencioni is a master at creating real and tangible company alignment. We're using these principles to rally our people around building a global brand. Huge applause from our entire organization."
--Brian Scudamore, founder & CEO, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?