I had an interesting conversation with a high school student telling me he did not want to work as part of a team. I also heard on a recent webinar that teamwork is one of the top ten soft skills that hiring managers are seeking. Although they seem opposite, I believe both statements are correct for the EXACT same reasons. Being an effective team member requires a high level of individual accountability and effort.
The student did not want to work as part of a team because he was working hard but other crew members were not holding up their end. To have an effective team, each person must be responsible for contributing their best work, honoring their commitments, and showing up for themselves and for each other. It is only then when each person puts their best foot or elf ears forward that the project can succeed as a group.
Every team is made up of individuals and every team needs leaders, dreamers, and doers. Not every person can or should do the same work. Take care to honor your own strengths and contributions and to honor and respect the strengths and contributions of others that may be different from your own.
Great teamwork can occur if you, as an INDIVIDUAL, can foster positive relationships with others, listen to and communicate with others to find a shared purpose, and to work individually toward that shared purpose to achieve the common goal.
Do you have what it takes to work with others to achieve a shared goal? I look forward to hearing your story.
With love,
Festi
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