The more we know ourselves, the better team mate we are. Why? Because we can be both firm and flexible and put the team’s objectives at the top of the list while tending to our own emotional needs. A mature team is one that can innovate, cooperate and have conflict all while respecting each other. It sounds so easy doesn’t it?
You only have to serve on one team to appreciate the complexity of group dynamics and the way team member self-knowledge improves its effectiveness. One person’s “vision” can make a big difference but, as a rule, one person doesn’t get the job done; the team does.
People love to talk about their great ideas and they don’t like it when I tell them that great ideas are a dime a dozen.”Look”, they tell me, “MY idea is amazing and if I only had x, (money, support, marketing, etc.) I’d be a millionaire.”
If I had a nickel for every ‘incredible’ idea I’ve ever heard, I’d be the millionaire. The truth is that having a good idea is the easy part; execution is the hard part and one of the most difficult parts of execution is getting the right people on the bus.
Flexibility, technical dexterity and the ability to work independently and interdependently are the critical skills we all need to hone.
The new work motto: Know thyself and carry a big (flexible) toolkit.
Photo credit: Blue Eyed Ennis
What do you think?