The First Team Paradox

DALL-E — fractal art disappointment

Before we get too far along, I need you to understand the concept of a manager’s First Team. It was introduced in Lencioni’s best-selling Five Dysfunctions of a Team and has become very common leadership advice over the past two decades. The concept itself is simple:

Managers need to prioritize supporting their fellow leaders — their “First Team” — over their own direct reports.