By Jim Laudell/ Leadership & Relationship Author / Northwest Arkansas
Ralph works best alone and Fred seems to be always in the middle of everything and everybody. Ralph had extensive job training but Fred seems to get along well with the other employees. When Tony, the CEO, prepared an evaluation for an upcoming promotion within the company, he studied the profiles profusely; the promotion fell between Ralph and Fred.
Fred needed more training and insight into the company and Ralph needed to work more as a team member instead of as an independent agent. Tony eventually chose Fred, knowing he could go through more training throughout the year. But still Tony had a nagging thought: maybe Ralph should have received the promotion based on his skills. He questioned, “Is teamwork that important?”
Yes. Teamwork is like your hand. There are five fingers and all five work together to be a hand. Each one may be right for a specific task, but all are attached for the good of the whole.
John Donne reminds us, “No man is an island entirely of himself.” A team within an organization has that five-fingered strength. Building teamwork in your organization can only make you stronger.
1. Middle makes room for others: Teamwork creates trust. Build a team and you’ll create an atmosphere of personal respect for the ideas and thoughts of others. When you bring respect and honor to the table, you will employ the highest standard for thrust and motivation. When the attitude is right the altitude will be right.
2. Ring-finger commitment: Teamwork incorporates vision for the whole. When the team understands the vision, nearsightedness vanishes. Group together within a common result and visions can explode. Wilbur Wright needed Orville Wright to explore and discover the giant invention of flight. Great matters discussed around the table bring fresh vision to the team.
3. Point to the partner: Teamwork envelops each gift. Each team member has something to add. From the simple to the austere, from the cheerful to the stifled, from the bountiful to the miserly, each member adds their gifted input until the end result is success.
4. Pinky Promise: Teamwork offers strength in numbers. What one cannot do the team can do.
5. Thumbs Up: Teamwork builds morale. Just watch any football game for proof. When each member gives their irreplaceable contribution, the team plays with motivation, strength and zeal – that’s morale.
Jim Laudell is a public speaker who travels to 35 states and 12 foreign countries to share his expertise on relationships and leadership. He is author of four books; his latest is “TOUCHTALKS.” Send your comments to jlaudell@sbcglobal.net.
