// Book comparison
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team vs Think Again
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni and Think Again by Adam Grant.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
by Patrick Lencioni
★ 4.9/5
Think Again
by Adam Grant
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| The Five Dysfunctions of a Team | Think Again | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 229 | 320 |
| Reading time | ~5.7 h | ~8.0 h |
| Published | 2002 | 2021 |
| Author | Patrick Lencioni | Adam Grant |
| Category | Team & HR Management | Leadership |
| 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 Think Again if…
- → You're interested in leadership.
- → You want the more recent perspective (2021).
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 — Think Again
- ✓ Adopt a Scientist Mindset by treating your business strategies as hypotheses that require constant testing and validation against new market data and feedback.
- ✓ Cultivate Confident Humility, acknowledging the limits of your knowledge to remain open to better ideas and more accurate strategic insights from your workforce.
- ✓ Foster a Rethinking Culture within your team by rewarding the 'courage to be wrong' and encouraging the regular questioning of established organizational best practices.
The verdict
If you want the higher-rated, shorter read, start with The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. If you specifically need leadership, Think Again is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is The Five Dysfunctions of a Team or Think Again 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 Think Again focuses on leadership. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team or Think Again? +
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is shorter (229 pages, ~5.7 hours) compared to Think Again (320 pages, ~8.0 hours).
Should I read The Five Dysfunctions of a Team or Think Again 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.