The Ideal Team Player

Evaluate the tone of “The Fable.” How does the tone of the story impact the way the reader processes the message?

Evaluate the author’s use of various literary devices in “The Fable,” such as suspense or foreshadowing. When are these devices effective? Are any of them unnecessary or ineffective?

When discussing his working relationship with Nancy, Craig refers to her as a “hag.” Consider this fact in relation to his promotion later in the story. What does his use of derogatory remarks about Nancy suggest about his “smart” skills?

From a feminist perspective, evaluate Clare as a character. How is she positioned in relation to the new CEO, Jeff? Is she an associate or a subordinate? Explain.

How does Jeff get a sense of Ted’s character prior to the formal interview? Is his assessment intuitive, or is he applying skills that can be learned? What is the lesson about leadership skills here?

From a practical perspective, what do you make of Lencioni’s discussion of the various archetypes of people—such as “bulldozers” or “charmers”—who possess either one or two of the core values? Evaluate exceptions to his analysis.

Evaluate Lencioni’s claim that “the most effective way to assess employees is often to ask them to evaluate themselves” (190), though he acknowledges that there are exceptions. What are these exceptions? When might self-evaluation be less than effective?

Lencioni says, “Ideal, in the context of this book, does not mean perfect” (197). Explain what he means. What is the difference between “ideal” and “perfect,” in Lencioni’s view?