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Is this book worth the read? #books🤿 RJ’s Reviews ✅

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The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate The Three Essential Virtues (J-B Lencioni Series) Hardcover – May 10, 2016

by Patrick M. Lencioni (Author)

4.6 5,828 ratings

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Important Note: Some dust jackets may appear rose-tinted due to a printing issue.

In his classic book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni laid out a groundbreaking approach for tackling the perilous group behaviors that destroy teamwork. Here he turns his focus to the individual, revealing the three indispensable virtues of an ideal team player.

In The Ideal Team Player, Lencioni tells the story of Jeff Shanley, a leader desperate to save his uncle’s company by restoring its cultural commitment to teamwork. Jeff must crack the code on the virtues that real team players possess, and then build a culture of hiring and development around those virtues.

Beyond the fable, Lencioni presents a practical framework and actionable tools for identifying, hiring, and developing ideal team players. Whether you’re a leader trying to create a culture around teamwork, a staffing professional looking to hire real team players, or a team player wanting to improve yourself, this book will prove to be as useful as it is compelling.

From the brand

Patrick Lencioni is the pioneer of the organizational health movement and the author of 13 bestselling books, including, including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, The Advantage, and The Ideal Team Player. For the past 25 years, Pat and his firm, The Table Group, have provided leaders with products and services to make their organizations more effective, their teams more cohesive, and their employees more fulfilled.
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From the Publisher

the ideal team player book, patrick lencioni, team building, human resources management

MEET JEFF SHANLEY

Jeff Shanley is a leader desperate to save his uncle's company by restoring its cultural commitment to teamwork. Jeff must crack the code on the virtues that real team players possess, and then build a culture of hiring and development around those virtues.

With enough time, patience and attention from a good manager, almost anyone can learn to become a team player, but some people are better at teamwork than others. These are the kind of people who add immediate value in a team environment and require much less coaching and management to contribute in a meaningful way.

Jeff must crack the code on the virtues that real team players possess, and then build a culture of hiring and development around those virtues.

ARE YOU AN IDEAL TEAM PLAYER?

HUMBLE

Ideal team players are humble. They lack excessive ego or concerns about status. They are quick to point out the contributions of others and slow to seek recognition for their own. They share credit, emphasize team over self, and define success collectively rather than individually.

HUNGRY

Ideal team players are hungry. They are always looking for more—more things to do, more to learn, more responsibility. Hungry people rarely have to be pushed by a manager to work harder because they are self-motivated and diligent. They are constantly thinking about the next step and the next opportunity.

SMART

Ideal team players are smart. They are emotionally intelligent and have a common sense about people. They tend to know what is happening in a group situation and how to effectively deal with others. They have good judgement and intuition around the subtleties of group dynamics and the impact of their words and actions.

WARNING: California’s Proposition 65

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The author offers concrete tools to identify and engage ideal teammates who are capable of sustainably improving the??performance of the company."??(Business Digest, June 2017)

"The Ideal Team Player is a quick, engaging, and informative read--great for the beach or your next trip." (Opensource, June 2016)

"A book Lencioni fans were waiting for." (The Marketing Society, July 2016)

From the Inside Flap

"You guys really dropped the ball on the teamwork project."

They didn't say anything, so Jeff continued, focusing on Bobby. "You said it wasn't just posters and t-shirts, but what else was it?" Before they could answer, he went on. "Because you don't seem to know what you mean when you talk about team players."

"We didn't say " Clare wanted to explain, but Jeff wouldn't let her.

"Oh wait. I forgot." Jeff was being sarcastic, but not rude. "You do have one clear definition. A person can't be a jackass."

They laughed, but in a guilty sort of way.

In his classic best-selling book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni laid out a groundbreaking, new approach for attacking the dangerous group behaviors that destroy teamwork. Here, he turns his focus to the individual member of a team, revealing the three indispensable virtues that make some people better team players than others.

Lencioni's latest page-turning fable is the story of a leader desperate to save his company by cracking the code on the virtues that define a true team player. Jeff Shanley takes over his family's locally revered construction firm and realizes that the only way to deliver on the two biggest projects in the company's history is to rapidly build a culture of hiring and development around those virtues.To do that, he'll have to confront and risk losing talented employees who don't know how to work on a team, and convince his fiery VP of operations not to lower the company's hiring standards in the face of short-term business pressure.

Beyond the fable, Lencioni presents a powerful framework and easy-to-use tools for identifying, hiring, and developing ideal team players in any kind of organization.Whether you're a leader striving to create a culture of teamwork, a human resources professional looking to hire real team players, or an employee wanting to make yourself an invaluable team member, The Ideal Team Player will prove

to be as practical as it is compelling.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (May 10, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1119209595
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1119209591
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.7 x 1 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5 in Human Resources & Personnel Management (Books)
- #31 in Business Management (Books)
- #45 in Leadership & Motivation

Customer Reviews:
4.6 5,828 ratings

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Patrick M. Lencioni

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Patrick Lencioni is founder and president of The Table Group, a firm dedicated to helping leaders improve their organizations’ health since 1997. His principles have been embraced by leaders around the world and adopted by organizations of virtually every kind including multinational corporations, entrepreneurial ventures, professional sports teams, the military, nonprofits, schools, and churches.

Lencioni is the author of ten business books with over three million copies sold worldwide. His work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Bloomberg Businessweek, and USA Today.

Prior to founding The Table Group, Lencioni served on the executive team at Sybase, Inc. He started his career at Bain & Company and later worked at Oracle Corporation.

Lencioni lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and their four sons.

To learn more about Patrick and The Table Group, please visit www.tablegroup.com.

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and easy to understand. They appreciate the clear explanations of the core virtues and the simple model for developing a strong team. The book focuses on humility, hunger, and smartness as key qualities that make good team players. Readers enjoy reading it and find the stories entertaining and engaging. The chapters that follow provide practical next steps and a plan of action.

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Insight Ease of read Team building Humility Enjoyment Hunger Story length Clarity

299 customers mention "Insight"299 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and practical. It explains core values clearly and breaks down the most important part of growing a business. They appreciate the clarity on each virtue, as well as the self-assessment with 18 questions. The lessons from great teachers are helpful to them.

"...And SMART! OPnly God knows the hearts of man, and Christ ministers to a world that he created and knows intimately and well." Read more

"...The show-then-tell approach is also, it seems to me, a great way to preach…though that is a subject for another time." Read more

"...He does not overwhelm you with information, but creates a framework so that you can understand easily...." Read more

"...They ask good questions, listen to others, stay engaged in conversations intently pg. 166-173 warns us of the different types of people...." Read more

162 customers mention "Ease of read"151 positive11 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understand. They appreciate the simple model that can be put into practice. The book is well-written, with a story that breaks down the method. Readers find it thought-provoking and challenging, in the classic Lencioni style.

"...This makes Lencioni’s points concrete and easy to understand...." Read more

"...Instead of some of the complex ways we look for talent, this process is so easy that you will get it right more often...." Read more

"...Love Patricks way of telling the story, then breaking down the method. Would give 6 stars if I could." Read more

"...Good book, quick and easy read. The three traits he shares are a great guidepost and filter." Read more

133 customers mention "Team building"130 positive3 negative

Customers find the book helpful for developing a strong team. They appreciate the insights and practical ways to identify and hire people with the right qualities. The principles outlined are helpful for teaching team play. Overall, customers describe the book as powerful and humorous.

"I believe that the principles of being a Humble, Hungry, and Smart team player results in being the IDEAL TEAM PLAYER!..." Read more

"Effective organizations—whether they’re multinational corporations, professional sports franchises, or local churches—practice teamwork...." Read more

"...This book attempts to continue that conversation about developing a strong team, and how to be part of a strong team...." Read more

"...Healthy hunger is a manageable and sustainable commitment to doing a job well and going above and beyond when it is truly required...." Read more

44 customers mention "Humility"44 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's focus on humility. They find it a good example of these three virtues, and the author provides insights into their value. The story provides good examples for these qualities.

"I believe that the principles of being a Humble, Hungry, and Smart team player results in being the IDEAL TEAM PLAYER!..." Read more

"...Humility comes first because it is “the single greatest and most indispensable attribute of being a team player.”..." Read more

"...smart (people who are good with people), and humble (willing to learn and open to feedback)...." Read more

"...the three essential virtues that define an ideal team player: humility, hunger, and people smarts...." Read more

36 customers mention "Enjoyment"36 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find the stories entertaining and engaging, keeping their interest. The book introduces concepts in a fun and humorous way that makes them internalize them.

"...The book is a good read, always engaging, and practical and helpful...." Read more

"...This is one powerful book--and maybe his funniest...." Read more

"...This actually kept my attention and I really enjoyed it. I also liked the self-assessment at the end...." Read more

"...The story is a fun read; with some insightful lessons on both leadership and being a team player...." Read more

35 customers mention "Hunger"35 positive0 negative

Customers like the book's hunger. They say it's smart and ideal for team players.

"I believe that the principles of being a Humble, Hungry, and Smart team player results in being the IDEAL TEAM PLAYER!..." Read more

"...Hungry: Ideal team players are hungry. They are always looking for more. More things to do. More to learn. More responsibility to take on...." Read more

"...manager training vignettes and it emphasizes the virtues of humble, hungry, and [people] smart...." Read more

"...Building a humble, hungry, and smart foundation is essential in my opinion." Read more

10 customers mention "Story length"5 positive5 negative

Customers have different views on the story length. Some find it engaging and helpful, with practical next steps and insights. Others feel the story is too idealistic and unrealistic, making it hard to read.

"...the last 60 pages with highly practical insights, warnings, and next steps...." Read more

"...Maybe a higher level 'misfit' and a hiring mistake. Story seemed too 'easy' and too ideal to be realistic and believable...." Read more

"Breaks down the most important and most daunting part of growing a business: hiring the right people and building an excellent culture...." Read more

"...an hour getting through the first 1/3 of the book with some stupid story line. Just give me the advice and call it a day...." Read more

9 customers mention "Clarity"6 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the book's clarity. Some find it clear and concise, explaining the basics clearly. Others mention poor writing and print quality.

"This booke is filled with clear and concise knowledge and organized presentation for the new and experienced team members alike." Read more

"There’s a message in here somewhere, but the writing is poorly executed...." Read more

"I found the book good in the sense that it expalins very clearly and simply the basics of what good team players possess." Read more

"Simple, clear, and easy. The best way to do anything is the most simplest and shortest route to have a direct and strong effect...." Read more

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Viathecross
EFFECTIVE AND SIMPLE
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2025
Verified Purchase

I believe that the principles of being a Humble, Hungry, and Smart team player results in being the IDEAL TEAM PLAYER! In the context of Church Ministry I believe that this can be a great way to establish a culture for leaders within the ministry. As the book points out at the end of the book, the ultimate example of Humble, Hungry and Smart was Christ Jesus. Humbling himself upon the cross for the sake of the lost, compelled by love for the Father Christ gave EVERYTHING to restore all of creation from the curse of sin, Christ was HUNGRY! And SMART! OPnly God knows the hearts of man, and Christ ministers to a world that he created and knows intimately and well.

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George P. Wood
A Secular Business Book That Has Obvious Implications for Church Ministry Too
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2016
Verified Purchase
Effective organizations—whether they’re multinational corporations, professional sports franchises, or local churches—practice teamwork. When people work together on a common goal, they achieve more than they could do individually and experience a measure of personal satisfaction. When people work against one another, however, the result is organizational ineffectiveness and personal frustration.

In his 2002 bestseller, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni outlined five ways teamwork goes awry: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. While that book identified the interpersonal dynamics of effective teams, it did not identify the personal qualities of effective team members. Lencioni’s new book, The Ideal Team Member, picks up where Five Dysfunctions left off and outlines three essential “virtues”: An ideal team member is humble, hungry, and smart.

Humility comes first because it is “the single greatest and most indispensable attribute of being a team player.” Humble team players are not “overtly arrogant,” of course, but they do not “lack self-confidence” either. Rather, quoting C. S. Lewis, Lencioni writes, “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” Humility makes collective action possible. Without it, teams don’t work effectively, because each member is either out for themselves ( due to overt arrogance) or unable to propose solutions (because of lack of self-confidence).

“Hungry people are always looking for more,” writes Lencioni. They are “self-motivated and diligent.” For a team to work effectively, each team member must proactively contribute to the overall effort. No slackers are allowed.

Smart doesn’t pertain to “intellectual capacity,” though it’s similar to emotional intelligence. Lencioni defines it as “a person’s common sense about people…the ability to be interpersonally appropriate and aware.” Ideal team members are people-smart.

After defining these three virtues, Lencioni outlines why and how they must work together. “If even one is missing in a team member, teamwork becomes significantly more difficult and sometimes not possible.” A team member who is only humble and hungry, for example, becomes an “accidental mess-maker” because they are constantly—albeit unintentionally—stepping on others’ toes. One who is only humble and smart is a “lovable slacker,” liked by all, but only willing to exert minimum necessary effort. Someone who is only hungry and smart is a “skillful politician,” which Lencioni describes as being “cleverly ambitious and willing to work extremely hard, but only in as much as it will benefit them personally.”

Although Lencioni wrote The Ideal Team Member for the secular business world, my description of its contents should convince ministers that it has application to the work of local churches as well. (Indeed, Lencioni—a devout Catholic—notes that Jesus Christ is the “most compelling example of humility in the history of mankind.”) The humble-hungry-smart model gives senior pastors and ministers who lead volunteers valuable insights into who to hire, how to assess their performance, what can be done to develop them when they lack one or more of the virtues, and how to embed those virtues in a church’s organizational culture. Consequently, I highly recommend this book to ministers and ministry leaders.

One final note: As with The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, The Ideal Team Player begins with what Lencioni calls “a leadership fable.” He tells the story of the CEO of a family-owned building company who discovers these three virtues in the course of taking over the reins of the company from his uncle. Only after telling the fable does Lencioni describe the humble-hungry-smart model in propositional terms. This narrative way of approaching the subject shows before it tells. This makes Lencioni’s points concrete and easy to understand. The show-then-tell approach is also, it seems to me, a great way to preach…though that is a subject for another time.

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Matthew Morine
Another Strong Book from Patrick
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
Lencioni struggles with matching "Five Dysfunctions of a Team." This book was so good, that every other book is a disappointment. Not that the books are bad, rather, they just do not match that great text on teams. This book attempts to continue that conversation about developing a strong team, and how to be part of a strong team. The book is a good read, always engaging, and practical and helpful. When you read one of the author's text, you are always left with some actionable thoughts and behaviors. He does not overwhelm you with information, but creates a framework so that you can understand easily. The major focus of the book is finding and being people who are hungry (passionate about the goal), smart (people who are good with people), and humble (willing to learn and open to feedback). What I like about this model is that it does work. When you look for people to work with, look for these qualities. Since it is a simple process, you are more likely to find success within it. Instead of some of the complex ways we look for talent, this process is so easy that you will get it right more often. It is a good leadership book, and perhaps one that leadership should study together.

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Guilherme Paranhos
wonderful book!
Reviewed in Brazil on February 15, 2022
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This book is simple to read, filled with insights! It will create a new point of view for leadership. Totally recommend

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Angie
Humorous and a real eye-opener
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2022
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Amazing book, found it transformed my thinking and shed light onto why a team doesn't work properly and how to address this. Written in a humorous style with plenty of practical examples and materials at the end which are useful.

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Amazon Customer
Must read
Reviewed in Mexico on June 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
Patrick always impresses we are implementing his theory into our HR program and this has helped us better understand our staff and filter all of are new prospects.

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Bundeskanzler
Der beste Ratgeber - unterhaltsam und hilfreich
Reviewed in Germany on January 26, 2020
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Der Ratgeber war ein Tipp eines Freundes aus dem Management. Mittlerweile verschenke ich das Buch ebenfalls und besetze meine Stellen danach. In dem Buch sind viele spannende Tipps enthalten, die jedem Arbeitgeber, aber auch Arbeitnehmer in Verantwortung die Augen öffnen. Zudem ist das Buch dank der Praxis-Beispiele unterhaltsam zu Lesen.

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thewhitespace
This is not a content review
Reviewed in Singapore on July 2, 2023
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Book came damaged, dirty and had some weird powder. Book jacket itself was a albeit mouldy too. :(

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thewhitespace

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Reviewed in Singapore on July 2, 2023
Book came damaged, dirty and had some weird powder. Book jacket itself was a albeit mouldy too. :(

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MEET JEFF SHANLEY

ARE YOU AN IDEAL TEAM PLAYER?

HUMBLE

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5.0 out of 5 stars EFFECTIVE AND SIMPLE

5.0 out of 5 stars A Secular Business Book That Has Obvious Implications for Church Ministry Too

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Strong Book from Patrick

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5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous and a real eye-opener

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5.0 out of 5 stars Der beste Ratgeber - unterhaltsam und hilfreich

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EFFECTIVE AND SIMPLE

A Secular Business Book That Has Obvious Implications for Church Ministry Too

Another Strong Book from Patrick

wonderful book!

Humorous and a real eye-opener

Must read

Der beste Ratgeber - unterhaltsam und hilfreich

This is not a content review