Episode notes
Are you creating a workplace environment that feels like a cage or a park? In episode 260 of At The Table, Patrick and Cody unpack a powerful metaphor—“cocaine water”—to explain the dangers of isolation at work. Drawing from a well-known behavioral experiment that involves cages and parks, they connect addiction, loneliness, and disengagement to modern workplace culture. The conversation makes a compelling case that real connection at work fuels not only productivity but also dignity, healing, and human flourishing. Topics explored in this episode: (01:23) The Cocaine Water Experiment * A…
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At The Table with Patrick Lencioni
by Patrick Lencioni · English · Business
Real conversations and practical advice for everyday leaders. Sit across the table from one of the foremost experts in leadership and business. In his simple and approachable style, Pat tackles every topic related to the world of work (and some that aren’t). From culture to teamwork to building…
More from At The Table with Patrick Lencioni
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E263 · 3 Mar 2026 · 17 min
263. Short Range Strategy
How can strategy stay intentional when planning cycles keep shrinking? In episode 263 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson examine how the pace of change has transformed strategic planning. What once centered on five or ten-year plans now often lives within a three to six-month horizon. Rather than viewing this shift as chaotic, Patrick and Cody explain why a short-cycle strategy can be more responsible and effective. They explore how clarity of purpose and strong organizational health provide the stability needed to navigate constant change. Topics explored in this episode:…
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E262 · 17 Feb 2026 · 18 min
262. Be Extreme
What are you willing to repel in order to attract the right people? In this episode of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson challenge the idea that businesses should try to appeal to everyone. Instead, they argue for being intentionally extreme in two areas: core values and strategic anchors. When organizations are unmistakably clear about how they behave and how they succeed, they naturally repel the wrong employees and customers while attracting the right ones. Through examples like In-N-Out, Dutch Bros, Costco, and Nordstrom, they show how clarity and conviction create a…
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E261 · 3 Feb 2026 · 23 min
261. Think Like A Six-Year-Old
Are you making your work more complicated than it needs to be? In episode 261 of At The Table, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore why the ability to make something simple may be one of the clearest signs that someone truly understands it. They discuss how pride, expertise, and fear of looking uninformed can prevent leaders from asking basic questions and communicating ideas clearly. From consulting and organizational health to parenting and everyday life, Pat and Cody argue that the most important things are often simple, even when putting them into practice is incredibly hard. Topics…
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E259 · 6 Jan 2026 · 19 min
259. Beware the High Achiever
If you’re achieving at a high level while ignoring the health of your inner life, how can you reset? In episode 259 of At The Table, Pat and Cody explore why high achievement can be a warning sign rather than a badge of honor. They explain how leaders often use success to compensate for fear, insecurity, or unresolved personal issues. The conversation underscores that true leadership effectiveness begins with inner health long before it shows up in organizational results. Topics explored in this episode: (00:30) The Real Cost of High Achievement * High achievement often masks deeper personal…
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E258 · 23 Dec 2025 · 19 min
258. The Fruits of Recommitment
Why does recommitting to trust matter more than recommitting to strategy? Episode 258 of At The Table episode explores the moments when teams and relationships reach a breaking point—where everything could unravel or deepen. Pat and Cody reflect on their own recent off-site, sharing how choosing vulnerability and recommitment led them to greater unity, clarity, and trust. They argue that the “messy” work of recommitting isn’t soft; it’s the most essential and transformative part of leadership. Topics explored in this episode: (03:17) Why the Cliff Always Feels Real * Early moments in The…
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E257 · 9 Dec 2025 · 16 min
257. The Art of Messiness
Do you sometimes over-rely on data to cover yourself instead of trusting your judgment? Episode 257 of At The Table explores why leaders often cling to data, certainty, and predictability—even though business is inherently messy. Pat and Cody discuss how fear of failure drives over-analysis, slowing decisions and weakening judgment. Ultimately, they argue that great leadership is an art fueled by instinct, courage, and human interaction—not algorithms or metrics. Topics explored in this episode: (03:15) Data vs. Instinct in Real Business * Why instinct and common sense dominate real…
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E278 · 29 Sep 2026 · 15 min
278. The Horse That Isn't Dead Yet (Are You Serious)
Are you treating teamwork as a real competitive advantage or simply something your company says it values? In episode 278 of At The Table, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson revisit the debate over remote work, arguing that there is an important distinction between hiring genuinely remote employees, offering reasonable flexibility, and allowing local teammates to avoid working together. They challenge leaders to consider whether policies built primarily around convenience are undermining trust, culture, productivity, and the competitive advantages that come from real human interaction.…
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E277 · 15 Sep 2026 · 23 min
277. The Heart of Accountability
Are you avoiding a difficult conversation because you care about someone, or because you are protecting yourself? In episode 277 of At The Table, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore why accountability is consistently one of the hardest behaviors for teams and argue that avoiding difficult feedback is often selfishness disguised as compassion. They explain that real accountability comes from caring enough about another person to tell the truth, even when doing so risks discomfort, frustration, or temporary rejection. They also discuss the importance of trust, timing, leadership modeling,…
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E276 · 1 Sep 2026 · 21 min
276. Your Team Needs More Workplace Drama
Are Your Meetings Too Comfortable? Workplace drama has a bad reputation, but in episode 276 of At The Table, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson argue that genuine drama is often exactly what healthy organizations need. When teams allow real emotions, disagreements, fears, and convictions into the room, they can address difficult issues instead of letting them quietly grow. The challenge for leaders is learning to distinguish healthy drama from manufactured melodrama and then creating an environment where people can say what really needs to be said. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Why…
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E275 · 18 Aug 2026 · 18 min
275. Where Do You Really Work?
Where do you actually do your best and most important work? Work does not always happen where, when, or how people expect it to happen. In episode 275 of At The Table, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore why thinking, brainstorming, reflecting, and solving problems should count just as much as the visible activity people typically associate with productivity. They challenge leaders to create cultures that measure people by meaningful contribution and results rather than how busy they appear at their desks. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Where Does Work Really Happen? Pat…
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