Teamwork Makes You Stronger

I have been thinking about teamwork quite a bit lately. A few months ago i was asked to join an inter-disciplinary team. The team is made up of members from a wide variety of areas--Technical Services, Research and Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and many others. The team size fluctuated throughout the project as areas of expertise were added and subtracted as needed. 

It was a very professionally satisfying experience. The knowledge I gained, the relationships I built with other members of the team, helped minimize the challenge in our area of focus, but have also opened me up to a greater understanding of our company's capabilities and expertise. Along the way I learned quite a bit myself and am reminded of the tremendous value and potential value that exists in a collaborative team.

On a recent family trip to St. Louis, I came across a sculpture that I felt highlighted the value of teamwork. Small figurines support a plexiglass piece that can support the weight of five adults. I thought the theme for the figurines was an excellent choice by the artist, and make the piece very powerful.

"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." --Andrew Carnegie