I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if your leadership team feels a little…tense lately, you might want to cue the Jaws theme music.

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of Jaws (one of my faves) —and honestly, it reminds me a lot of what goes on in leadership teams. Not because someone brought a harpoon to the staff meeting (please tell me they didn’t), but because of what’s lurking beneath the surface.

The Shark You Don’t See

Over the years, I’ve had leaders tell me their leadership team is “great”— that there’s no conflict, and everyone gets along just fine. And I always think to myself, That’s what you think.

Because in my experience, the real threat in teams isn’t what’s obvious—it’s what’s hidden:

• Unspoken tension
• Withheld opinions
• Side conversations
• Eroded trust

Just like the shark, these issues are dangerous because they’re invisible… until they’re not.

In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni explains that the foundation of any high-performing team is trust. And when trust is weak? Everything else — accountability, results, healthy conflict — starts to sink.

No trust means you’ve got the perfect conditions for fear, turf wars, defensiveness, and quiet quitting. People get passive-aggressive—but, like, in such a fun way.

And unlike the shark in Jaws, these dysfunctions don’t come with dramatic music to warn you. You just wake up one day and realize… something’s off.

Here’s What’s Really Going On (a.k.a. the 5 Dysfunctions)

When I work with leadership teams, I use a self-assessment called The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, based on Lencioni’s model. It highlights the five things that often go wrong under the surface:

• Absence of Trust – People don’t feel safe being vulnerable or admitting mistakes.
• Fear of Conflict – Without trust, folks avoid real conversations and healthy debate.
• Lack of Commitment – If people don’t weigh in, they don’t buy in, leading to confusion or lukewarm decisions.
• Avoidance of Accountability – No commitment means no follow-through, and underperformance gets a free pass.
• Inattention to Results – Team members focus on personal wins instead of shared goals.

“You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat”

When Brody gets a good look at the shark, he mutters that now-iconic line: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

That’s leadership in a nutshell. You run into a challenge that’s way bigger than expected, and suddenly, the tools, habits, or conversations you’ve been relying on don’t cut it anymore.

That’s why I love using Lencioni’s model. When teams realize what’s really going on under the surface, they’re often relieved. It gives them language, tools, and a shared understanding. The culture improves. The stress goes down. The work gets more enjoyable. And who doesn’t want that?

Reflection Time

So let me ask you:

• What issues might be lurking under the surface of your leadership team?
• Are people speaking up, or silently checking out?
• Do you really know how your team is doing, or are you assuming calm seas just because no one’s rocking the boat?
• In the background can you hear Dun dun… dun dun… dun dun dun dun…?

You can’t fix what you won’t face. And sometimes, facing it means upgrading your “boat”— getting real about the culture you’re fostering, the trust you’re building, and the conversations you might be avoiding.

I’ve said it a buh-zillion times, but it’s worth repeating:

When it comes to culture, you’ve got what you’ve got because you either created it or you condoned it.
(Oof. I know. That one stings.)

But if your gut’s telling you something’s off below the surface? Trust it.
Create space for truth-telling.
Model vulnerability.
Admit your mistakes.
Invite real conversation.

Reach out to me if you’d like to cuss and discuss what a leadership team retreat might look like for you and the results you can expect.

Because strong leadership teams don’t wait until the shark eats half the boat — they go beneath the surface on purpose.

And if you’re going to lead through the unknown?

You’re gonna need a bigger boat.

So, let’s talk! Go to https://calendly.com/jennifer-ledet and schedule your complimentary discovery call with me today.

Through facilitated leadership team retreats, customized training programs, coaching, and keynote presentations with a hint of Cajun flavor, Jennifer Ledet, CSP,  provides leaders with tools to help them be more intentional and live and lead by choice, not by chance.