“What is right is more important than being right”
These suggestions came to me from my trusted advisor and friend Bob Sadler of Sadler Consulting. They were derived from Ian Percy’s “11 Commandments of Enthusiastic Teamwork: Collaborating With Purpose and Passion” and were very creatively distilled following Professor George Miller’s timeless theory: “The Magic Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information.”
1. Help each other win and take pride in each other’s victories. Help each other figure out what is right…don’t just try to be right. Learn to practice that the end goals of the organization are greater than the individual victories you might enjoy.
2. If in doubt…check it out! Don’t make negative assumptions about each other. It’s always a better idea to ask for clarification before jumping to conclusions. We find this is hard to do, because when we believe that someone holds a contrary opinion, there is a tendency to run confrontational scenarios in our mind…imagining that we can change the opinion, win the argument, or at least score some points in front of an adoring crowd. Trying to undercut and/or find fault with the work of those on your team will surely prove to be detrimental to the outcome.
3. Maintain a positive mental attitude no matter what the circumstances. Be prepared, rested and focused. When we have an energetic and winning mind set we are more willing to take the extra steps necessary to complete the tasks at hand. As we start to tire or lose focus we are more apt to adopt the thinking that someone else will get it done.
4. Do everything with enthusiasm…it’s contagious. Have you ever stood in line at the coffee shop with an enthusiastic individual and found it hard to not feel enthusiastic yourself? When faced with an issue that just won’t seem to yield, jump into it with the attitude that this might be a challenge but it’s going to be fun getting it done. More times than not you’ll agree when you’re finished.
5. Act with initiative and courage as if the outcome depends on you. (It does!) Think about how many outcomes could be more positively affected if everyone acted as if the outcome depended on him or her and that they had the courage to step up and do something about it? The possibilities are endless.
6. Whatever you want…give it away. Could we avoid conflict more often if we understood our own needs? Could we learn how to get what we want/need by giving others the same? If we need tust, the most sure-footed way to get it is to give it away. If we need to be listened to, first we give the gift of listening. If we want influence, we let others influence us. Imagine what could be accomplished if the whole team felt this way.
7. Have fun! Sounds easy but all too often teams get bogged down in the mundane or are forced to suffer the pang of disappointment over and over again until their sense of humor is stifled. Keep the atmosphere professional but light. Take breaks. Stop to interject a little frivolity into the day.
Can these seven suggestions help us advance the team? I believe they can and although I know these principles work well we all may find it hard to practice all seven consistently. It’s important to take the time to refresh ourselves and repower our enthusiasm.