At The Table with Patrick Lencioni

Why does becoming a better leader sometimes make you feel like you're falling further behind?The more you grow as a leader, the more you realize how much you still have to learn, creating a frustrating paradox where progress can make perfection seem further away. In episode 280 of At The Table, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore why this realization is actually a sign of maturity and how humility can help leaders overcome the discouragement of never feeling good enough. By shifting the focus from perfection and extraordinary achievements to consistency and daily improvement, leaders can find greater peace and satisfaction in the ongoing process of becoming better.Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Why Getting Better Can Feel Like Falling BehindPat introduces the paradox of personal growth, explaining why becoming a better leader often reveals how much more there is to learn.Pat and Cody discuss how this realization applies to leadership, marriage, parenting, and faith, and why accepting that perfection is unattainable can be liberating.(03:09) The Humility of Never ArrivingPat explains how growing older and gaining experience have helped him become more comfortable acknowledging how far he still has to go.Cody shares a childhood hiking experience to illustrate why reaching what appears to be the summit often reveals another mountain to climb.(06:22) Stop Comparing and Start ImprovingPat reflects on the unrealistic expectations he once placed on himself as a husband, father, and leader.Cody challenges the tendency to measure success against other people, while Pat emphasizes becoming a little better than yesterday instead of pursuing perfection.(09:41) Why Consistency Beats IntensityPat explains why consistently showing up for employees and making small improvements can be more valuable than occasional extraordinary efforts.Pat and Cody discuss the dangers of heroic expectations and why realistic, incremental progress creates healthier leaders and organizations.(12:52) The Freedom of Never Being FinishedPat and Cody challenge the assumption that the most successful or famous leaders are necessarily the best, emphasizing the importance of steady improvement regardless of organizational size.They conclude that accepting the endless nature of growth can replace anxiety and discouragement with peace, purpose, and renewed motivation.This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: 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://tablegroup.me/apple Spotify: https://tablegroup.me/sptfy YouTube: https://tablegroup.me/youtube Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://workinggenius.me/apple), Spotify (https://workinggenius.me/sptfy), and YouTube (https://workinggenius.me/wgyt). Let us know your feedback via [email protected]. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

Are you treating teamwork as a real competitive advantage or simply something your company says it values?In episode 278 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson revisit the debate over remote work, arguing that there is an important distinction between hiring genuinely remote employees, offering reasonable flexibility, and allowing local teammates to avoid working together. They challenge leaders to consider whether policies built primarily around convenience are undermining trust, culture, productivity, and the competitive advantages that come from real human interaction. Ultimately, the episode asks leaders and employees to answer a more fundamental question: are they serious enough about their work and their teammates to prioritize being together when they can?Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) The Horse Still Isn’t DeadPat argues that teamwork requires people to actually know one another and spend meaningful time together.Pat and Cody introduce the recurring remote-work debate and distinguish local work-from-home arrangements from truly remote employment.(03:16) When Work Becomes “Unserious”Cody explains why allowing nearby employees to avoid the office can feel inconsistent with a company that claims to prioritize excellence and teamwork.They imagine comparing colocated and remote teams not only on productivity, but also on loyalty, relationships, health, and culture.(06:07) Teamwork Requires InteractionPat compares workplace teams to sports teams, arguing that individuals cannot simply practice alone and expect the same team dynamics.They discuss practical flexibility while maintaining that regular interaction is essential when people have the ability to work together.(09:14) Convenience Versus Competitive AdvantagePat connects employees’ attitudes toward coming to work with the idea of hunger and commitment while cautioning leaders against enabling habits that weaken the team.Cody argues that trust, healthy conflict, culture, teamwork, and organizational health are all more difficult to develop when convenience consistently takes priority.(11:46) Are You Serious?Pat reframes the episode’s central question around whether people are genuinely serious about the work they are doing, comparing unnecessary remote work to taking an online class while already living on a college campus.Pat and Cody close by encouraging organizations to maintain flexibility and hire remotely when necessary while choosing to work together whenever circumstances make it possible.This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: 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://tablegroup.me/apple Spotify: https://tablegroup.me/sptfy YouTube: https://tablegroup.me/youtube Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://workinggenius.me/apple), Spotify (https://workinggenius.me/sptfy), and YouTube (https://workinggenius.me/wgyt). Let us know your feedback via [email protected]. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

How does working in a “toxic” culture affect your ability to perform and trust others? Also, if your organization has an unhealthy work environment, how can leaders begin the process of internal correction?In episode 256 of At The Table, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson unpack what “toxic culture” really means—and what it doesn’t. They explore how toxicity rarely starts at the bottom but usually traces back to the executive team’s dysfunction, lack of clarity, or tolerance for poor behavior. They also share the signs, causes, and antidotes of toxic workplaces, encouraging leaders to create environments rooted in honesty and accountability.Topics explored in this episode:(00:20) Defining “Toxic Culture”* The importance of defining “toxic” and challenging the assumption that perks equal health.(04:00) The Source of Toxicity* Toxic cultures almost always originate at the executive level, not among lower-level employees.(08:00) How to Diagnose Toxicity* Cody compares toxic environments to poor sleep—you can feel it without needing a metric.(13:00) What Toxic Cultures Look Like* Key signs: political behavior, tolerated poor performance, and confusion from unclear goals.* How even good leaders can accidentally create toxicity.(17:00) Healing and Hope for Teams* Every organization experiences some level of dysfunction—but honesty and ownership can fix it.* The idea of replacing the word “toxic” with “dysfunctional” or “political,” emphasizing that healing begins with truth.In this episode, Pat and Cody discussed the following study by the employment website, Monster: “Toxic Workplaces Are Worsening: 80% of U.S. Workers Now Say Their Job Hurts Their Mental Health”; https://www.monster.com/career-advice/job-search/news-and-insights/mental-health-in-the-workplace-poll-2025This 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://tablegroup.me/apple Spotify: https://tablegroup.me/sptfy YouTube: https://tablegroup.me/youtube Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://workinggenius.me/apple), Spotify (https://workinggenius.me/sptfy), and YouTube (https://workinggenius.me/wgyt). Let us know your feedback via [email protected] episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.