What Does it Mean to be on a Team?
Mike Dellosso
I ghostwrite books for founders, entrepreneurs, executives, and non-profits who want to tell their story, deliver their message, and raise awareness || Ghostwriter || WellSpan Health Clinical Manager
Charlie Plumb was a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. During his 75th combat mission his plane was shot down. Charlie was captured, tortured, and imprisoned in a Vietnam prison camp for six years.
Years later a man approached Charlie and said, “You’re Charlie Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!”
Charlie asked how the man knew that and he replied, “I packed your parachute.”
Charlie shook the man’s hand and said, “If your chute hadn’t worked, I wouldn’t be here today.”
On a team, we all have a role to play. Some are center stage, some are behind the scenes. It's important to know our place on the team and what our role is. It's also important to realize that all of our actions have an effect on the rest of the team, some immediately, some downstream.
Conversation Starters:
What can we learn about teamwork from Charlie Plumb's story?
What are some qualities that make for a good team player?
Leader Discussion Notes:
What makes a great team player? Selflessness, dedication, humility, empathy, helpfulness, awareness, determination, loyalty.
Important: We represent the team. Our actions, both positive and negative, have consequences that affect the entire team. There are always downstream effects.