Is Your Team Healthy—or Maintaining Artificial Harmony?

The Threat of Artificial Harmony

This post might ruffle some feathers. 

But that’s what happens when you disturb artificial harmony. And that’s OK.

I see a deceptive tranquility in many teams I work with. I hear sentiments like, “We get along great!” “We rarely argue.” “It’s such a fun place to be.” 

However, the notion of tranquility is deceptive. With only a little digging, I can usually scratch the surface to uncover a false sense of unity. 

It's called artificial harmony , a term coined by Patrick Lencioni in his book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team . Artificial harmony is a sly saboteur of growth, innovation, and genuine team cohesion. For growth-minded leaders and entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of people management, recognizing and dismantling this hidden threat is the foundational step to establishing genuine trust—and claiming the ultimate competitive advantage of a truly healthy team. 

The Red Flags of Artificial Harmony

Below are some red flags that signal the presence of artificial harmony within your team:

1. Monotonous Positivity

If every discussion is rose-colored, regardless of the situation, it's time to raise an eyebrow. While positivity is vital, a constant barrage of it, especially in the face of challenges, often conceals underlying issues.

2. Boring Meetings and Muted Opinions

Lifeless, frustrating meetings where genuine opinions are withheld are a telltale sign of artificial harmony. When team members fear expressing their true thoughts, innovation takes a backseat, and progress stalls.

3. Hollow Agreement, Hidden Discontent

Observe closely. Are team members nodding in agreement, yet their attitudes and actions tell a different story? This misalignment is a breeding ground for inefficiency and dissatisfaction.

4. The Fear of Candid Feedback

If fear grips you when contemplating providing honest feedback, artificial harmony may be at play. Skirting around issues only exacerbates the problem, leading to a deeper, possibly more damaging rift in the long run.

5. Venting to Everyone but the Source

A classic symptom of artificial harmony is venting about frustrations to third parties—or at home—rather than addressing the issue head-on with the concerned parties. This creates a cycle of unresolved tension.

6. The Looming Elephant in the Room

Unspoken tension regarding critical decisions, team dynamics, or leadership issues is a glaring indicator of artificial harmony. Ignoring the elephant only lets it grow.

7. Topic Taboos

If certain topics are off-limits, you're treading on thin ice. Avoidance might seem like a temporary solution, but it's a breeding ground for larger problems.

By turning a blind eye to these warning signs, the insidious nature of artificial harmony tightens its grip. Eventually, the tension bubbles to the surface, often resulting in individual or collective meltdowns.

However, disruption is where the transformation begins. Embracing discomfort and creating a safe space for candid conversations and genuine feedback opens the door to a new era of trust and cooperation.


The Golden Results of Disrupting Artificial Harmony

Here's how dismantling artificial harmony leads to a new, stronger foundation of genuine team cohesion and optimal growth:

1. Trust that Runs Deep

When team members feel heard and valued, trust flourishes. This trust is the foundation upon which genuine unity is built.

2. Real Buy-In

No longer will agreement be a mere façade. With open communication, team members wholeheartedly invest in collective decisions, driving progress and success.

3. Engaging, Purposeful Meetings

Meetings transform from mundane gatherings to dynamic platforms for idea exchange. Honest discussions fuel innovation and lead to tangible outcomes.

4. Soaring Productivity

As barriers dissolve, productivity skyrockets. When team members are aligned in purpose and vision, tasks are executed with precision and enthusiasm.

The journey towards authentic team harmony may launch with discomfort, but the destination is well worth the trek. It's time to bid farewell to the illusion of unity and welcome a new era of genuine collaboration. By recognizing the signs of artificial harmony and taking deliberate steps towards open communication and trust-building, you pave the way for a thriving, united team poised for their best performance and growth.

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About Lindsay Harris and Leader Haven:

A Positive Intelligence Coach(TM) and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, Lindsay established Leader Haven to help leaders rediscover joy and dismantle dysfunction . An acclaimed speaker and coach, Lindsay finds her joy and energy sharing tools and expertise that increase productivity, give teams renewed trust and collaboration, and empower leaders with confidence, hope, and fulfillment.