The 5 Team Dysfunctions No One Talks About

But I lived them. And I hear about them ALL the time.

I’ve worked in a few teams that looked great on the outside—smart people, strong brands, easy rapport. But inside? A very different story. Not toxic, exactly. But definitely… off.

Looking back, I can see five subtle, but deeply damaging dysfunctions that crept in. They weren’t the classic Patrick Lencioni ones (which are great, by the way). These were quieter. Harder to name. But just as destructive. Here’s how I experienced them—and what I wish we’d done differently.

1. Conformity Culture “We don't challenge, we comply.”

Early on, I noticed how quickly new ideas were flattened. Not because they were bad—but because they were different. There was an unspoken culture of "this is how we do things here." I once suggested a small tweak to a recurring process and was met with polite smiles... and radio silence. It wasn't malicious. It was just safer to nod and blend in. Over time, you stop suggesting. Creativity doesn't die in a blaze—it fades in quiet meetings.

2. The Silo Syndrome “That’s not my department.”

I've lost count of how many times I heard, “That’s HR's responsibility.” When teams operate in silos, there's no collective ownership—just territorial fences. I remember a major project derailing because two departments couldn’t agree on who "owned" a customer issue. Meanwhile, the customer didn’t care whose job it was—they just wanted a solution. But inside? Everyone was playing hot potato with the responsibility.

3. Favouritism by Function “Some teams matter more than others.”

This one stung. In one org, Sales ruled. Everyone else—especially HR and Marketing—were treated like supporting actors. I sat in meetings where ideas from certain functions were instantly validated, or given ample airtime, while others were brushed off before they even landed. Over time, it created deep resentment. People started withholding effort. Why bother, if your work isn’t valued?

4. Meeting Chaos “We meet. We talk. We leave. Repeat.”

Meetings became a ritual of exhaustion. No clear agenda. No action items. No follow-up. It was like being in a loop of polite non-decisions. The result? Momentum died. People stopped showing up mentally (and eventually physically). One colleague described it best: “Meetings feel like quicksand.” Nothing got done, but we all sank slowly together.

5. Silent Alliances “It’s us vs. them.”

The most dangerous dysfunction was also the hardest to spot: alliances that formed under the surface. People bonded over shared frustrations, which sounds harmless—until it turns into passive resistance. Decisions were undermined after meetings. Slack channels became echo chambers of dissent. I found myself walking on eggshells, trying to navigate unspoken loyalties. The real conversations weren’t happening in the room—they were happening after the room.

So, what do you do when you spot these?

I wish I had a neat answer. But the truth is, you start small. Name what you’re seeing. Invite curiosity instead of conformity. Break silos by building relationships across functions. Push for meeting hygiene (an agenda is a revolutionary act, trust me). And when you sense silent alliances forming? Surface the tension early—before it hardens into division.

Because culture isn’t built by grand gestures. It’s shaped by what we tolerate, question, and challenge—every day.

And sometimes, we need help seeing what we’ve stopped noticing.

That’s where team coaching comes in. A skilled team coach doesn’t just work with individuals—they work with the space between people. They help teams get unstuck, have the conversations that aren't happening, and rebuild trust where it's frayed. It’s not about pointing fingers. It’s about creating a new rhythm—one where alignment, accountability, and respect can actually grow.

If any of this resonated, maybe it’s time to consider whether your team could benefit from a coach. It made all the difference in two teams I worked with—and it just might for yours too.

Would love to hear from you—have you seen any of these play out? What would you add to the list?