266. The Book That Almost Wasn't

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Apr 14, 2026

A lively look at the trio of traits that make team members effective: humility, hunger, and interpersonal smarts. Stories reveal how the framework began and why its simplicity sticks. Examples show the trouble when one trait is missing and practical hiring and development ideas are shared.

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ADVICE

Make Humility A Hiring And Development Priority

Prioritize humility as the chief virtue because it counters pride and enables teamwork.
Define humility as truthful self-awareness: admit strengths, weaknesses, and mistakes without excessive meekness or cockiness.

insights

INSIGHT

Smart Means Interpersonal Intelligence

'Smart' in the model means interpersonal intelligence (EQ), not IQ; it’s about reading the room and knowing how your words land.
Cody and Patrick value practical people smarts over sheer intellectual brilliance for team fit.

insights

INSIGHT

Hunger Is Motivated Drive Not Workaholism

Hunger is intrinsic motivation to go above and beyond without being a workaholic; it can stem from upbringing, mission passion, or not wanting to let teammates down.
Hunger requires boundaries—drive without sacrificing life balance.

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Why Humble, Hungry, Smart Exist

01:19 • 1min

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The Book Idea That Almost Wasn't

Why the Model Resonates

04:47 • 4min

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Using the Model to Vet People

08:25 • 3min

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Humble Defined and Misunderstood

11:12 • 4min

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What 'Smart' Really Means

14:50 • 2min

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Hunger: Motivation Without Workaholism

16:44 • 4min

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Consequences of Missing One Trait

20:48 • 11min

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Hiring Advice: Turn the Resume Over

31:32 • 5min

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Scare Them with Sincerity & Law and Order

36:15 • 3min

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Developing People on the Model

• Mentioned in 72 episodes

Built to Last

Successful Habits of Visionary Companies

Jerry I. Porras

James C. Collins

Jim Collins

Jim Collins and Jerry Porras's "Built to Last" examines the characteristics of visionary companies, those that have sustained exceptional performance over long periods. The authors identify key principles that contribute to long-term success, including a strong core ideology, a focus on innovation, and a commitment to continuous improvement. They analyze a range of companies across various industries, identifying common patterns and best practices. The book provides valuable insights for leaders seeking to build enduring and successful organizations. "Built to Last" has become a classic in the field of business strategy.

#33378

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The Gift of Struggle

Bobby Herrera

#149

• Mentioned in 144 episodes

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

A Leadership Fable

Patrick Lencioni

This book explores the fundamental causes of team failure and organizational politics through a narrative about a fictional company, DecisionTech, Inc. It outlines five dysfunctions: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. The book provides practical advice and real-world examples to help teams overcome these dysfunctions and become high-performing teams.

#1176

• Mentioned in 35 episodes

The Ideal Team Player

How to Recognize and Cultivate The Three Essential Virtues

Patrick Lencioni

In this book, Patrick Lencioni explains how to identify and cultivate the three essential virtues of an ideal team player. The story follows Jeff Shanley, a leader who must restore his uncle’s company’s cultural commitment to teamwork by identifying and building a culture around the virtues of humility, hunger, and smarts. Lencioni presents a practical framework and actionable tools for leaders, HR professionals, and team members to create a culture of teamwork. Ideal team players are described as humble (sharing credit and emphasizing team over self), hungry (self-motivated and diligent), and smart (emotionally intelligent with common sense about people).

How do you know if someone truly belongs on your team?

In episode 266 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson review the surprising origin of The Ideal Team Player and why its simple framework continues to resonate years later. You’ll learn how the combination of humility, hunger, and smarts defines great team members—and what happens when one is missing. You’ll walk away with practical ways to hire better, develop your people, and build a stronger, healthier team culture.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:02:23) Origins of Humble, Hungry, Smart

Pat explains how the three values emerged from real-world leadership experience.
The framework gained traction as clients recognized its universal relevance.

(00:07:24) Why the Model Works So Powerfully

The simplicity of the framework makes it easy to apply immediately in teams.
The combination of all three traits, not just one, is what drives true effectiveness.

(00:11:14) Breaking Down the Three Traits

Humility, hunger, and smarts are defined with practical examples.
The discussion highlights common misunderstandings, especially around “smart.”

(00:21:55) The Dangers of Missing One Trait

The team explains the “accidental mess-maker,” “lovable slacker,” and “skillful politician.”
Each type shows how the absence of a single virtue can damage team health over time.

Get “The Ideal Team Player” today!

Take The Ideal Team Player Assessment here

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

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This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.