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Image courtesy of: Luz Adriana Villa A.
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If your team is filled with people who work for the company, you’ll soon be defeated by tribes of people who work for a cause.
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By Seth
Godin from: The Icarus Deception:
how high will you fly?
One of the favorite terms of the Industrial Age
has been “teamwork.” The word is
heavily touted when the slave drivers or gatekeepers want more work from less
people or pitch an idea. Teamwork is a requirement on the football field,
marching band and battlefield; but it never scaled well with the general
workforce.
Ever notice when you are about to be laid-off
“teamwork” is never mentioned? If they really believed in their own submission
then why not just ask if someone wants to take an unemployment check for the good of the team. After all, we’re a
team, right?
Sadly, it
is a word used only when management wants to spin the latest, greatest
technique or philosophy. When I think of teamwork it reminds me of “slaves that
paddled vessels from sea to land”, a mindless entity that must be given simple
instructions to navigate. It also reminds me of the project that keeps being held-up because someone or one group
didn’t finish their assignment at the deadline.
Teamwork is a label for mediocrity. Innovation or precision is rarely used to motivate by
inept leaders. Failure is easier to swallow, when it’s a team effort or
detraction. It’s good enough to use as a drill or exercise, but difficult to
ensure has a means to excellence. That would require guts, courage and accountability.
Few leaders
understand the significance of those words and are less willing to take the
chance at standing-out from the pack. That would truly mean risk and in a
society captivated by fitting-in, not
many care enough to stick their neck
out. That’s probably why people don’t get too excited by teamwork.
I am happy to not apply for an
advertisement that states: “We want team
players only” or hear someone say: “I
am not sure if you’re a good fit for the team” during an interview. What
those expressions imply is the Industrial Age notion of fitting-in, compliancy,
not rocking the boat and “do what we say.”
You have no mind, soul, heart or the capabilities to stand-out, lead or
discover a better way. It sends the message of being a cog and nothing more.
When everyone is committed towards the same
outcome because they believe in something, have a vested interest in the idea
and care; it’s a beautiful process. When people are told or given a manual to
follow the plan it’s boring, repetitive
and the results are less than stellar!
For more than 100 years, we believed ourselves to
be at the mercy of a few who gave us the instructions, used us like pawns to
generate power and financial success. The game is changing rapidly and opportunity
awaits you. But you’ll never find it by staying in the Industrial Age.
Like the advert says: “You are now free to walk about the cabin.”
Until
We Meet Again,
Jim Carver
Jim Carver
Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School
“Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
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