Essential Qualities of Teamwork

Quality 2 – Collaborative
My favorite quote, “All of your strength is in union, all your danger is in discord.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Great Escape from Stalag Luft III occurred during World War II on March 24, 1944. An elaborate plan of escape, involving hundreds of prisoners, logistical demands for everything from bed slats to electrical wire, pinpoint timing, and detailed planning was devised. They had hoped to get 250 prisoners out of the prison. Despite all of the planning only 3 prisoners escaped, but they proved that it was possible to escape German POW camps.

Collaboration requires change in focus in four areas.
1. Perception – Think completion, not competition. Competiveness must not be allowed to hurt the team.
2. Attitude – Support teammates. “Assume that the motives of teammates are good until proven otherwise.”
3. Focus – Put your focus on the team effort, rather than on yourself.
4. Results – Collaboration multiplies the results of the work of the group.

Becoming more collaborative
1. Think win-win-win – Figure out ways for you, your teammates, and the team to prosper.
2. Complement others – Use your strengths to complement the weaknesses of others and allow others to do the same for you.
3. Take your needs out of the picture – Always ask, “What is best for the team?”

Please share any observations you may have about the book. My hope is to initiate conversation about improving our team by improving ourselves a team members.

Later this week, Quality 3 - Committed