For all the talk about mutual respect and the importance of teams, it takes very little to create the "us verses them" mentality. It's as if we can all make the temperature just by saying, "It feels hot in here."
When you're in a pack that runs fast, it is easy to let the weak ones fall back and get eaten. It's even worse when we turn on ones in our own pack.
While we all might want perfectly performing teams, one or more of us will always be the weakest.
If a strong team player slips into disparaging an under-performing one, two things will result: the weaker one will get weaker, and the stronger one will get weaker too.
If you have the fortunate opportunity to observe a healthy family in action, you should note it doesn't get that way by chance. A conscious decision has been made to stick together, stick up for one another, and in times of trouble, circle the wagons...not turn into hyenas that look to prey on the weak one. No matter what, it is "us," not "me".
Having a healthy team requires self-monitoring. You can love someone and not like them. It means you continue to want the highest and best for them, even if you don't really want to hang with them in your free time. It means YOU start believing they can be more than they are, and you treat them like the person they can become. It means you exemplify behavior that helps them learn to be strong and not continue on in weakness. It means you are kind to them, even when they are not around.
If you are surrounded by hyenas right now, it might be a conspiracy. But it also might be your fault. Over the years I've seen that the weakest team members are also those least willing to change. Sometimes you need to really hear what is being said to you, and ask for honest feedback. Sometimes that change means you go find a better pack.
You are of great value. You were created to do great things. If you are strong, hold yourself to a higher standard. Help strengthen the weak ones and you will be even stronger still. The combined effect will be synergistic, not just additive. (That is, more than what could be achieved separately).
When you're in a pack that runs fast, it is easy to let the weak ones fall back and get eaten. It's even worse when we turn on ones in our own pack.
While we all might want perfectly performing teams, one or more of us will always be the weakest.
If a strong team player slips into disparaging an under-performing one, two things will result: the weaker one will get weaker, and the stronger one will get weaker too.
If you have the fortunate opportunity to observe a healthy family in action, you should note it doesn't get that way by chance. A conscious decision has been made to stick together, stick up for one another, and in times of trouble, circle the wagons...not turn into hyenas that look to prey on the weak one. No matter what, it is "us," not "me".
Having a healthy team requires self-monitoring. You can love someone and not like them. It means you continue to want the highest and best for them, even if you don't really want to hang with them in your free time. It means YOU start believing they can be more than they are, and you treat them like the person they can become. It means you exemplify behavior that helps them learn to be strong and not continue on in weakness. It means you are kind to them, even when they are not around.
If you are surrounded by hyenas right now, it might be a conspiracy. But it also might be your fault. Over the years I've seen that the weakest team members are also those least willing to change. Sometimes you need to really hear what is being said to you, and ask for honest feedback. Sometimes that change means you go find a better pack.
You are of great value. You were created to do great things. If you are strong, hold yourself to a higher standard. Help strengthen the weak ones and you will be even stronger still. The combined effect will be synergistic, not just additive. (That is, more than what could be achieved separately).
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