There's a saying: "Teamwork makes the dream work."
I want to suggest that this is true to an extent. Being in a good team may not make all your dreams come true, but being a part of that team will be a dream.
I can attest to this.
For nearly 20 years, I led a local church with a small group of leaders, but more personally, it was the partnership with my wife that was essential to making the machinery of the mission work. There was no way that I could have gotten through those many years of ministry without Kathi at my side.
She is the opposite of me in many ways. I guess the phrase "opposites attract" is evident in our relationship. For example, she can zoom in on the details where I can see the bigger picture. Kathi is most certainly an extrovert and is energised by people. On the other hand, I am an introvert who needs time out from social situations to recuperate. I like to move at pace and hope people keep up, whereas she will take her time and try to help those who feel left behind. What's important to note here is that our personalities are neither "good" nor "bad," and being able to “see the detail” or the “bigger picture” does not permanently exclude us from contributing to the other.
People are different in temperant, capacities, and capabilities. A good team complements one another through their various gifts and talents. My marriage to Kathi, which extended into my work environment for all those years, is one of mutual support and encouragement. One where we fill in where the other is weaker or let the other lead where they are stronger.
All of this leads us to be a great partnership. An effective team.
What Am I Doing Now?
More recently, my work life has led me in a direction I never expected but fully appreciate. In one sense, I'm living out my work-life dream by being able to utilise my passion for technology, media and productivity.
I’m involved in a few different creative content endeavours:
I can now officially call myself a YouTuber, having cracked the 1000 minimum subscriber count and 4000 watch hours a while back. I’m earning a little money each month through the YouTube Partner program - I can’t live off what I’m receiving, but it’s an encouraging start.
I suppose I could also call myself a Substacker (not sure this is a term used in the mainstream). I’m writing regularly on this platform, hoping to monetise my creative endeavours to a reasonable amount this year. It’s slow going, but I’ll keep at it!
I'm slowly but surely creating a videography-based portfolio. Over the last year, I've recorded a music video, helped a few charities with their video-focused endeavours, made a series of training videos for a company, and created a few promotional videos here and there for smaller charities and people. In fact, I had a meeting about another music video production just before I wrote this blog. I'm not getting paid for this one, but I appreciate the grind that has to be done to learn and grow before other paid opportunities come my way.
The main job bringing in the money to survive and support my family is through the charitable Trust I work for. With this job, I am creating video content for an exciting Christian project that will launch this year (2024).
You might think these first two projects are lonely endeavours, and it wouldn’t be truthful to say there isn’t something in that. I plan, record, edit, publish and promote all my online video content myself. There isn’t anyone else with me on this. However, my family and close friends give me feedback. My social connections with other content creators also enable me to receive critique from them. Little by little, with this ‘team’ surrounding me and my work, I am improving what I put out there.
There is less of this with my Substack writing. I have yet to attract writing peers to help me in this endeavour. But I’m listening, watching, and reading others who also play in my writing playground, and in some ways, they are part of my team even if they don’t yet know it.
Finally, my work with the Trust has brought me into a closer working relationship with my friend David, who is also working on the same project. As David and I work together, we recognise where we lack skills and knowledge. So, we'll happily submit to the other in expertise and wisdom, depending on the issue or subject we must tackle. In our working relationship, I’m helping David realise some of his dreams, and David is similarly helping me.
It feels good to be working in an effective team.
An effective team is where you should be able to express your preferences yet accept compromise - a place where you give a little and can take a little. An effective team is one where you have the lead at times and over specific tasks but then give up that role when your expertise and knowledge have reached their limits, and you hand over the reins gladly and without resentment.
Let me list a few thoughts here to help you think about teamwork and why it matters:
Strength in Diversity: A team brings together individuals from various backgrounds, each with unique skills, perspectives, and experiences. This diversity is a strength, making the team capable of tackling problems more creatively and effectively than any individual working alone.
Support System: You're never alone when you’re part of a team! You have a group of people who can offer support, advice, and encouragement. This sense of belonging can boost morale and motivate everyone to do their best.
Learning and Growth: Working with others allows you to learn from their experiences and insights. It’s an opportunity to grow professionally and personally as you develop new skills and enhance your understanding of different viewpoints.
Efficiency and Productivity: Teams can accomplish tasks more quickly and efficiently than individuals working in isolation. By dividing work and focusing on specific areas of expertise, a team can achieve its objectives faster and with better results.
Innovation: The collaborative environment of a team is fertile ground for innovation. The exchange of ideas can spark new solutions to old problems, leading to breakthroughs that might not have been possible otherwise.
Creating a team that works well together isn’t always easy, and in some ways, you'll have to throw out ideas about what perfect might mean to you. It requires effort, patience, and a willingness to learn and adapt.
Here are some critical factors in building an effective team:
Clear Goals: Every team member should understand the team’s objectives and how their work contributes to achieving them. Clear goals provide direction and purpose, uniting the team in a common pursuit.
Open Communication: Effective teams thrive on open and honest communication. Encouraging dialogue, sharing feedback, and promptly addressing conflicts can help maintain harmony and trust within the team.
Respect and Trust: Mutual respect and trust are the foundations of any strong team. Recognising and valuing each other’s contributions fosters a positive and supportive team culture.
Flexibility: Being flexible and open to change is crucial in a fast-paced environment. Teams that can adapt to new information and adjust their strategies accordingly are more likely to succeed.
Recognition and Reward: Celebrating successes and acknowledging individual contributions can boost morale and motivation. Recognising team members' hard work and achievements encourages continued effort and dedication.
The Challenge of Teamwork
While teamwork has many benefits, it’s not without its challenges.
Differences in personality, communication styles, and work habits can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. Overcoming these challenges requires a commitment to collaboration, a willingness to compromise, and understanding the value of diverse perspectives.
Teamwork is more than just a group of people working together. It’s about combining strengths, learning from each other, and striving towards a common goal with a shared sense of purpose. Whether in personal relationships, community projects, or the workplace, the power of teamwork lies in its ability to bring out the best in everyone involved. By fostering an environment of collaboration, respect, and mutual support, teams can overcome obstacles and achieve remarkable results together.
What might you have to change to be part of an effective team? Do you need to humble yourself and acknowledge the extent of your abilities? Do you need to put yourself in an environment where you must rely on others to succeed? Quite often (admittedly not 100% of the time), our attitude stops us from being part of an effective team and prevents the team from achieving its intended goals.
Be honest with yourself, invite others you trust to give you supportive feedback, and see where you need to make changes.