One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is the joy of a team victory. We can celebrate and be proud of individual accomplishments. However, it is better when you can share the joy with others that were part of the struggle. We can do a lot to improve our lives, but the way to make the most impact is to find others to share your journey.
A Team Victory Can Come At Any Time
In sports a team is well-defined. There are players, coaches, managers, etc. that contribute in various ways. We also see this in business. If you have a paycheck signed by the same person, then you are on the same team. Of course, politics and self-interest can spoil any of these team situations, but ideally, teammates work together. The point is to try to build a team where possible and avoid being a problem-solving loner.
Strength in Numbers
Some situations obviously are better with a team. American football is a perfect example. If there were only one player, it would be hard to “build a pocket” pass to a receiver, or hike, set, and kick a field goal. Business is not the same. We often find situations where either we want to go it alone, or a coworker takes on a challenge without looking for help. However, this is rarely a good approach. Even though we can throw too many people at a problem, that “too many” number is almost never “2 or more.” Working together as a team to solve problems helps reduce stress and improve productivity.
