// Book comparison
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team vs The Body Keeps the Score
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni and The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
by Patrick Lencioni
★ 4.9/5
The Body Keeps the Score
by Bessel van der Kolk
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| The Five Dysfunctions of a Team | The Body Keeps the Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 229 | 464 |
| Reading time | ~5.7 h | ~11.6 h |
| Published | 2002 | 2014 |
| Author | Patrick Lencioni | Bessel van der Kolk |
| Category | Team & HR Management | Personal Effectiveness |
| Publisher | Jossey-Bass | Viking |
Choose The Five Dysfunctions of a Team if…
- → You're interested in team & hr management.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
- → You prefer a shorter read (~5.7 hours).
Choose The Body Keeps the Score if…
- → You're interested in personal effectiveness.
- → You want the more recent perspective (2014).
Key takeaways — The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
- ✓ Build Vulnerability-Based Trust by leading with your own admissions of weakness, which is the necessary foundation for all subsequent levels of team performance and collaboration.
- ✓ Encourage Productive Conflict over ideas, recognizing that the absence of debate is a sign of 'Artificial Harmony' that hides deep organizational misalignment and poor decision-making.
- ✓ Ensure Mutual Accountability by allowing team members to call each other out on performance and behavioral standards, reducing the need for constant managerial intervention.
Key takeaways — The Body Keeps the Score
- ✓ Acknowledge the Physiological Basis of Behavior, recognizing that your team's reactions to stress are often driven by deep-seated biological patterns rather than just professional logic.
- ✓ Prioritize Psychological and Somatic Safety within your organization, as the human brain cannot engage in high-level strategic thinking when the body is in a state of perceived threat.
- ✓ Implement Self-Regulation Techniques as a core leadership skill, utilizing mindfulness and body-awareness to maintain executive presence and clarity during high-stakes organizational crises.
The verdict
If you want the higher-rated, shorter read, start with The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. If you specifically need personal effectiveness, The Body Keeps the Score is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is The Five Dysfunctions of a Team or The Body Keeps the Score better? +
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team focuses on team & hr management, while The Body Keeps the Score focuses on personal effectiveness. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team or The Body Keeps the Score? +
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is shorter (229 pages, ~5.7 hours) compared to The Body Keeps the Score (464 pages, ~11.6 hours).
Should I read The Five Dysfunctions of a Team or The Body Keeps the Score first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.