At The Table with Patrick Lencioni

What is one behavior you repeat that may be undermining your leadership?
In episode 264 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson discuss how leaders can grow by identifying habits such as interrupting others, avoiding conflict, or deflecting discomfort with humor. Leadership advice often focuses on adding new tools, strategies, and frameworks, but sometimes the most powerful improvement comes from stopping a behavior that undermines your team. By practicing “addition by subtraction,” leaders can create healthier teams simply by removing one recurring behavior.
Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00:00) The Idea Of Leadership Subtraction
Patrick Lencioni introduces the concept that leaders can improve by stopping behaviors rather than constantly adding new practices.
The hosts frame the discussion around the Lenten tradition of giving something up and apply that idea to leadership.

(00:02:11) Personal Leadership Habits That Get In The Way
Patrick reflects on his tendency to interrupt others and explains how impatience and quick thinking contribute to that habit.
Cody shares his own leadership tendency to use humor in uncomfortable situations and how that can sometimes derail important conversations.

(00:07:56) Examples Of Leaders Who Needed To Stop A Behavior
Patrick shares stories of leaders who weakened their credibility by constantly talking about themselves or seeking affirmation.
The conversation highlights how repeated behaviors can slowly erode trust within a team.

(00:09:55) When Leaders Shut Down Or Ignore Conflict
Patrick and Cody discuss leaders who shut down disagreements or avoid addressing uncomfortable moments during meetings.
They explain how ignoring conflict or difficult conversations can damage team health and prevent productive debate.

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 @PatrickLencioniOfficial

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At The Table with Patrick Lencioni
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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 [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

How can strategy stay intentional when planning cycles keep shrinking?
In episode 263 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson examine how the pace of change has transformed strategic planning. What once centered on five or ten-year plans now often lives within a three to six-month horizon.

Rather than viewing this shift as chaotic, Patrick and Cody explain why a short-cycle strategy can be more responsible and effective. They explore how clarity of purpose and strong organizational health provide the stability needed to navigate constant change.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:03:57) Why Planning Horizons Have Shrunk
Technology and the rapid flow of information have dramatically accelerated the pace of change.
Businesses and industries now evolve so quickly that long-term certainty is nearly impossible.

(00:07:24) Planning Without Panic
A short-term strategy should not be confused with constant urgency or chaos.
Leaders can use sprint-based planning and frequent reassessment to stay intentional and focused.

(00:11:13) Values Replace Long-Term Predictions
Clear purpose and behavioral values now anchor organizations more than long-range forecasts.
Teams should focus on reaching the next base camp rather than mapping the entire journey.

(00:14:08) Organizational Health Creates Resilience
Strong culture and clarity provide stability when strategies must change quickly.
Healthy organizations can survive rapid shifts while competitors without strong foundations struggle.

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.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

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 [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

What are you willing to repel in order to attract the right people?
In this episode of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson challenge the idea that businesses should try to appeal to everyone. Instead, they argue for being intentionally extreme in two areas: core values and strategic anchors. When organizations are unmistakably clear about how they behave and how they succeed, they naturally repel the wrong employees and customers while attracting the right ones. Through examples like In-N-Out, Dutch Bros, Costco, and Nordstrom, they show how clarity and conviction create a stronger culture, cleaner decision-making, and more loyal teams and customers.
Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00) Why Great Organizations Repel the Wrong People
* How strong values naturally filter out misaligned employees and customers
* Why trying to include everyone weakens culture

(04:11) Extreme Culture as a Competitive Advantage
* How distinctive companies become “weird” on purpose
* Why noticeable culture creates loyalty and differentiation

(07:46) Strategic Anchors and the Power of Saying No
* How a clear strategy eliminates distractions and opportunistic growth
* Why discipline matters more than chasing every opportunity

(11:33) Attracting the Right Customers by Design
* How strong strategy repels misaligned customers
* Why businesses grow faster when they stop trying to serve everyone

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.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

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 [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

Are you creating a workplace environment that feels like a cage or a park?
In episode 261 of At The Table, Patrick and Cody unpack a powerful metaphor—“cocaine water”—to explain the dangers of isolation at work. Drawing from a well-known behavioral experiment that involves cages and parks, they connect addiction, loneliness, and disengagement to modern workplace culture. The conversation makes a compelling case that real connection at work fuels not only productivity but also dignity, healing, and human flourishing.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00) Embracing Humility and Vulnerability
* Importance of admitting lack of understanding
* Challenges in societal pressures

(07:32) The Power of Simplicity
* Importance of clear and understandable explanations
* The impact of simplicity in business settings

(14:45) Personal Accountability and Mentorship
* Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through personal accountability
* Role of organizational mentors in reinforcing basic principles
* Parallels between personal and organizational growth

(21:19) Success Through Simplicity and Discipline
* Requirements for organizational success
* Test of true understanding and leadership

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.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

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 [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

Are you creating a workplace environment that feels like a cage or a park?
In episode 260 of At The Table, Patrick and Cody unpack a powerful metaphor—“cocaine water”—to explain the dangers of isolation at work. Drawing from a well-known behavioral experiment that involves cages and parks, they connect addiction, loneliness, and disengagement to modern workplace culture. The conversation makes a compelling case that real connection at work fuels not only productivity but also dignity, healing, and human flourishing.

Topics explored in this episode:

(01:23) The Cocaine Water Experiment
* A behavioral experiment shows how isolation drives destructive choices, while community changes behavior.
* The concept of a “rat park” illustrates how connection can eliminate addiction entirely.

(04:08) Isolation and Remote Work
* Reframing the remote-work debate as a question of human connection rather than location.

(07:52) Dignity and Productivity Are Not Opposites
* Connection improves results, satisfaction, and performance simultaneously.

(13:54) Why Humans Need Multiple Communities
* People are designed for varied relationships, not constant isolation or constant proximity.
* Healthy work provides experiences worth bringing home and sharing with others.

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.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

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 [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.