I personally believe that lack of understanding team members should probably be number one if not a close second in the rankings. With lack of understanding comes lack of trust. When there is a lack of trust on the team there will be focus on anything but the issues during team conflict, which will create all kinds of inefficiencies on the team. What do you think? What have you done on your teams to increase understanding among team members?

I recently read an article in the Harvard Business Blog on four star general and former US top commander in Afghanistan David D. McKiernan. He was recently replaced and forced out (fired) by a new commander, General Stanley McChrystal. Basically the article states that General McKiernan was “old school” (though he was generally recognized for having done an outstanding job) and not up to speed as his predecessor in diplomatic skills, press savviness, international politics and so forth. The question I have to ask is how General McKiernan became “old school?”

In watching this video you have to ask did this mother fail or is this 10 year old little boy just a “bad seed?” What type of leadership failure in a home would cause this? Is a mother really the boss of someone? Would it ever be okay to engage in this type of conflict (besides the slap of course) with an employee? And finally, is his name really “Dude?”

I have been watching a reality show lately titled “The Deadliest Catch.” Now, I am not a big TV watcher; there really isn’t much that appeals to me. But this show is different. For some reason I am glued to it. Maybe it’s the risk these fishermen take with below 0 temperatures, 70 foot waves, little sleep and lots of equipment that can take your head off – literally. Or maybe it’s just simply the sport of fishing. But I think it is most likely the lessons in teamwork.