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At The Table with Patrick Lencioni

At The Table with Patrick Lencioni

By: Patrick Lencioni
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Summary

 Real conversations and practical advice for everyday leaders. 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 teamwork to building world-class organizations, Pat brings his wisdom, humor, and insight together to provide actionable advice for leaders everywhere. For more on Pat and the Table Group, visit https://www.tablegroup.comCopyright 2026 Patrick Lencioni Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • 267. Cults vs Cultures

    267. Cults vs Cultures
    Apr 28 2026
    How can you tell if your company has a strong culture or just generic values?Most companies don’t struggle with being cult-like; they struggle with having any real culture at all. In this episode, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson break down the critical differences between strong cultures and actual cult behavior, highlighting why clarity and conviction matter. You’ll learn why great organizations embrace distinct values, even if it means not being the right fit for everyone.Topics explored in this episode:(00:00:00) Defining Culture vs. CultCulture is built on shared beliefs, customs, and behaviors within a group.A cult involves coercion, isolation, or dangerous practices, not just strong values.(00:03:54) Why Most Companies Lack Real CultureMany organizations operate with generic or weak cultural identities.Strong cultures naturally repel people who don’t align, and that’s healthy.(00:08:24) The Role of Choice vs. CoercionHealthy cultures invite people to opt in rather than forcing conformity.The difference lies in whether behaviors are celebrated or enforced.(00:13:07) Core Values vs. Generic ValuesReal core values require sacrifice and clear differentiation.Generic values like “integrity” often fail unless deeply defined and lived out.(00:22:16) Culture Fit, Growth, and Personal AlignmentStrong cultures help people grow without forcing them to change who they are.Misalignment doesn’t mean rejection; it simply means the fit isn’t right.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.Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficialStay Connected with Patrick LencioniLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealthInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficialX: https://x.com/patricklencioniAt The Table with Patrick LencioniApple: https://apple.co/4hJKKSLSpotify: https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0YouTube: https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-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 podcast@tablegroup.com.This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.
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    27 mins
  • 266. The Book That Almost Wasn't

    266. The Book That Almost Wasn't
    Apr 14 2026
    How do you know if someone truly belongs on your team?In episode 266 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson review the surprising origin of The Ideal Team Player and why its simple framework continues to resonate years later. You’ll learn how the combination of humility, hunger, and smarts defines great team members—and what happens when one is missing. You’ll walk away with practical ways to hire better, develop your people, and build a stronger, healthier team culture.Topics explored in this episode:(00:02:23) Origins of Humble, Hungry, SmartPat explains how the three values emerged from real-world leadership experience.The framework gained traction as clients recognized its universal relevance.(00:07:24) Why the Model Works So PowerfullyThe simplicity of the framework makes it easy to apply immediately in teams.The combination of all three traits, not just one, is what drives true effectiveness.(00:11:14) Breaking Down the Three TraitsHumility, hunger, and smarts are defined with practical examples.The discussion highlights common misunderstandings, especially around “smart.”(00:21:55) The Dangers of Missing One TraitThe team explains the “accidental mess-maker,” “lovable slacker,” and “skillful politician.”Each type shows how the absence of a single virtue can damage team health over time.Get “The Ideal Team Player” today!Take The Ideal Team Player Assessment hereThis 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.Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficialStay Connected with Patrick LencioniLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealthInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficialX: https://x.com/patricklencioniAt The Table with Patrick LencioniApple: https://apple.co/4hJKKSLSpotify: https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0YouTube: https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-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 podcast@tablegroup.com.This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.
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    41 mins
  • 265. Miserable Employees

    265. Miserable Employees
    Mar 31 2026
    How would your team’s culture shift if you started catching people doing their jobs well and celebrating those moments publicly?In episode 265 of At The Table, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson revisit Pat’s book The Truth About Employee Engagement, arguing its lessons are crucial now. They unpack the three root causes of employee misery - anonymity, irrelevance, and immeasurement - and show how any manager can improve work experience by addressing these human needs. Through stories and takeaways, they emphasize that making employees feel known, valued, and empowered to measure success requires only intentional, consistent attention.Topics explored in this episode: (00:06:46) Why the Solution Works EverywhereCody reflects on how remarkable it is that the book’s solution applies equally to an airport fast-food worker and a Fortune 100 executive.Pat introduces the first sign of a miserable job, anonymity, explaining that employees who feel unseen and unknown by their managers simply cannot love coming to work, no matter how much they earn.(00:12:25) Retention, Counterculture & Practical AdvicePat and Cody discuss how knowing employees personally is a powerful and often overlooked retention strategy, noting that people rarely leave workplaces where they feel genuinely cared for as human beings.Why leaders should be vulnerable, admit the lapse openly, and invite employees to “catch you up” on their lives, then share what’s going on in your own.(00:16:42) Why Every Job Must Matter to SomeonePat introduces the second sign of a miserable job, irrelevance, and illustrates it vividly by describing how a manager at the airport restaurant could tell that young employee his real purpose: to introduce a moment of joy and kindness into otherwise stressed travelers’ days.Cody and Pat agree that the manager’s responsibility is not only to articulate why a job matters, but to actively “catch” employees making a difference and celebrate those moments, because what gets celebrated gets repeated.(00:23:25) Immeasurement, the One-Minute Manager Demo & ClosingPat introduces the third sign, immeasurement, arguing that every employee needs a way to assess their own performance that doesn’t depend solely on a manager’s subjective opinion.Pat is challenging listeners to immediately improve in one area of knowing their people, reminding them why their work matters, and helping them measure their success.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. Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficialStay Connected with Patrick LencioniLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealthInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficialX: https://x.com/patricklencioniAt The Table with Patrick LencioniApple: https://apple.co/4hJKKSLSpotify: https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0YouTube: https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-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 podcast@tablegroup.com. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.
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    30 mins
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