Let me start by wishing everyone Happy Holidays.  I hope that 2009 brings you everything you need - perhaps a little of what you want.

Last night I took a few hours to read “Silos. politics and Turf Wars” by Patrick Lencioni

The subtitle is “A Leadership Fable about destroying the barriers that turn colleagues into competitors.”

The book is light but useful.  I am reminded of the work of Steve Denning and storytelling.  For thousands of years we have taught each other important lessons through storytelling. This book fits nicely into that tradition.  It is not a difficult, heavy, academic tone - rather, it tells the story of a reasonably believable character who helps companies overcome their silo issues.

The heart of the story gets to a Model - on page 178, comprised of a thematic goal, a set of defining objectives, a set of ongoing standard operating objectives, and metrics.  Pretty basic stuff however, the gift that the author gives us is the way it is told.

If you need a new way to deal with silos - and who doesn’t - this is a fast, accessible read.

Patrick is the founder of The Table Group - and their tool “Silos, Politics and Turf Wars” outlines Lencioni’s thematic goal model. It is downloadable and free.