Teamwork on the Move

10/25/2005

For the very first time the young are seeing history being made before it is censored by their elders.
Margaret Mead

Last summer our family gathered in Littleton, Colorado, to help Bonnie's parents pack their belongings for their big move to Palm Desert, California. We learned a lot in making this transition happen -- lessons about big changes in our lives, about tasks and teamwork, about each other and others, and about ourselves. Bonnie shared some of what we learned in her "A Manner of Speaking" column in the July 2004 Exchange. I have excerpted below ideas we learned on teamwork. You can read the entire article on our web site at http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/831

What we learned about teamwork:

• Be flexible.

• Don’t take anything personally -- even the random compliments (but be grateful for them).

• Expect interruptions. Learn to welcome them.

• Take breaks and time-outs.

• Remember that everyone else is trying just as hard as you are.

• No one gets to be boss all the time.

• Accept that you’re going to aggravate people you care about.

• Even best intentions can and will be misunderstood.

• Know when to gracefully give in or give up.

• Systems are critical -- locations for necessary supplies, what is finished, what needs to happen next.

• Make “Yes” your first response to any suggestion.

• There’s more than one right way to do every thing.

For more ideas on developing staff, check out the Exchange Article Collections on staff supervision, staff training, and evaluation on our web site at http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/832

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.