HBR On Leadership 3 Types of Executive Team Dysfunction
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Jul 30, 2025 
Thomas Keil, a management professor from the University of Zurich, and Marianna Zangrillo, a partner at The Next Advisors, share insights from their extensive research on executive teams. They reveal three dysfunctional patterns: shark tanks, petting zoos, and mediocracies. The duo discusses how these dynamics hinder performance and share strategies for improvement, such as fostering open dialogue and ensuring role clarity. Discover why teams that seem harmonious might actually be stifling innovation and the vital role of leadership in overcoming these challenges.
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Fix or Remove Sharks
- CEOs can sometimes fix a shark tank by addressing one or two problematic members.
- If unfixable, removing those individuals may be necessary for team health.
Shark Tank Dynamics
- Shark tank dysfunction arises when extreme competition overrides cooperation.
- Strong CEO leadership is vital to set limits and unify the team beyond self-serving agendas.
Petting Zoo Dysfunction
- Petting zoos feature excessive collaboration and conflict avoidance, leading to unchallenged agreement.
- This inhibits ambition, energy, and true problem solving within leadership teams.