Teamwork is most often associated with sports. It has also been a matter of importance in the world of business, organizations and with regard to military objectives and operations. The concept, however, has a much broader application in our world. It is an important concept in most, if not all, areas of life.
Years ago I formed a consulting group called Together Works. Working together is a concept that has always been important to me in my relationships and in my work. Unfortunately, hoping for together and creating together are not the same thing. It takes a huge amount of work to make together work. I know this and there have been times in my life when together was not able to work. This always made me very sad yet I know that together is a much larger concept than two or eleven being one. I know now, after deep reflection, that in my heart things that are no longer together or things that could not work together may always be together. Together once is always together forever because the very experience and effort involved in togetherness is part of our overall experience and our journey through life. As in a puzzle with many varied shaped pieces, the final view is a combination of every piece or else it is not complete. In this way, our present is influenced by our past and both influence our future. I will always believe in together.
Together, in all areas of our lives, requires all the pieces that we can bring to the table in order to complete the together puzzle. We do, each one of us, have a major part to play in creating together. Together is not about alone. Together... we can accomplish so much more than we can accomplish alone. Yet ironically, we enter this life alone and leave this life alone. Yet, in reality, we are never alone.
As a teacher and a coach, I placed a great deal of emphasis on working together. My classes would begin with creating a community of learners rather than focusing on the subject matter at hand. My teams would work more on teamwork than individual skills. For me, it was important to create an environment of trust and respect...even love, before we began working on the basic skills. It has always worked for me. My classes were usually fun and filled with a sense of community. Although we didn't always "win" on the scoreboard, my teams had fun and felt as though every member of them was important. My teams always felt more like a family than just a team of players. In both settings, we learned and progressed in direct proportion to our level of togetherness.
Institutions, organizations and businesses need to realize the importance of creating a community of workers who as individuals and groups work effectively and efficiently toward a common objective.Unfortunately, most institutions, organizations, businesses and classrooms do not take the time to create this level of community within their respective environments. In my opinion, their performance as a "team" is directly related to their level of commitment to their community rather than to the objective of the individual or the corporate body. Intrinsic motivation is far more important than extrinsic motivation.
Our strength and power as a group is much superior to our strength and power as an individuals. However, it takes a directed and specific effort to create a team of individuals that trusts and respects everyone else with whom they desire to work. We all have so many "hidden" skills and gifts and as we create a community we are more willing to let our "light" shine and make contributions to the team effort regardless of how small or insignificant they may be. Every individual empowers the team. A good teacher or coach empowers every individual. As a result, a true team player is willing to do "windows", "floors" or whatever else is needed to attain the team goal. Whatever it takes; give your all; be positive; support your teammates; give your best to attain the overall goal. Be a player and not a spectator. As a team wins or achieves success, so do all of the individual members. This is surely a true "win-win".
I challenge every reader to work toward creating a community at home, at work and in the world. Being one does not mean being one...it means working together with everyone, regardless of gender, race, size, color, ability, politics, religion or sexual preference to make it happen at home, at work and in our world. This is not an impossible scenario or dream. It is up to each one of us, you and me, to create community, trust, respect and love in our own little worlds in order that the whole world may experience the same. Win-win, for everybody, for sure!
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