Name: The Advantage
ISBN: 9781118147856

The Advantage

"There is a competitive advantage out there, arguably more powerful than any other. Is it superior strategy? Faster innovation? Smarter employees? No, New York Times best-selling author, Patrick Lencioni, argues that the seminal difference between successful companies and mediocre ones has little to do with what they know and how smart they are and more to do with how healthy they are. In this book, Lencioni brings together his vast experience and many of the themes cultivated in his other best-selling books and delivers a first: a cohesive and comprehensive exploration of the unique advantage organizational health provides.Simply put, an organization is healthy when it is whole, consistent and complete, when its management, operations and culture are unified. Healthy organizations outperform their counterparts, are free of politics and confusion and provide an environment where star performers never want to leave. Lencioni's first non-fiction book provides leaders with a groundbreaking, approachable model for achieving organizational health--complete with stories, tips and anecdotes from his experiences consulting to some of the nation's leading organizations. In this age of informational ubiquity and nano-second change, it is no longer enough to build a competitive advantage based on intelligence alone.

What Hacker News says

chiefalchemistDec 2022

A book that is often recommended is, "The Manager's Path" by Camille Fourner (O'Reilly). It's more of a career path reference guide than a cover-to-cover read.

https://www.amazon.com/Managers-Path-Leaders-Navigating-Grow...

For a more universal perspective on leadership (and management) John Maxwell is solid. Easy to read practical advice in a "I knew that but this is a good reminder" sort of way.

Given your founder background you might also appreciate "The Advantage" by Patrick Lencioni. It's more C Level, but much of can apply to a team (e.g., the importance of trust, a feeling of purpose, etc.)

https://www.amazon.com/Advantage-Patrick-Lencioni/dp/8126537...

There are others. This topic or similar comes up from time to time on HN. I'd try the search. It's in the footer if you've never noticed.

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afarrellMar 2021

A good book on this is The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

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rahimnathwaniDec 2020

The last book on the list (The Advantage, by Patrick Lencioni) is indeed gold. I really like 'The Ideal Team Player', too, as well as his other books.

Other books with immediately-actionable advice for improving company processes, systems and culture:

- The Great CEO Within, by Matt Mochary

- High Output Management, by Andy Grove

- High Growth Handbook, by Elad Gil

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willswireDec 2020

+1 for The Advantage as well. I really appreciate Lencioni’s ability to combine advice for cultural team dynamics along with practical steps to improve efficiency. His guidelines are both helpful on the tactical and strategic levels of leadership.

Another great book worth checking out, which focuses on more of the EI/soft skills, is “Side by Side” by Ed Welch. There are some profound translations from the counseling world that apply to improving team dynamics.

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rahimnathwaniJun 2020

fsloth recommended Lencioni's "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team"

I'd second that, and suggest reading his other books, too. Particular 'The Advantage', which provides practical steps to solve the problems highlighted in his other fable/story books.

It's unlikely you will change the culture single-handedly. Maybe try to find others who have similar observations, share with them your ideas (or just buy them a copy of The Advantage) and go from there.

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afarrellMay 2018

Note that it is in "Business Novel" style. If you don't like that style, you should read The Advantage by Lencioni instead.

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