On The Dying Art of Teamwork

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I like machines. I love to watch a collection of unique parts work together. I think we take machines for granted. We fail to see them for what they really are. Machines are a collection of individual components that interact with precision to perform a useful (sometimes even vital) function. When was the last time you described a machine that way? “Say Bill, have you seen my new collection of individual components that interact with precision to perform a useful function?” I don’t think so. It’s more like “have you seen my new tape deck?” Machines remind me of the greatness of Teamwork.

In many sectors of our society, teamwork is a dying art. New hi-tech tools are making it possible for everyone to be an almost expert at just about everything. I suppose it’s an interesting trend from a few perspectives. It’s empowering to be able to do it all yourself. If you look at it from the management standpoint, well, it’s the best thing since the PC. “We don’t need all those extra people. One person does the job of three, four or five!” But, let’s take a step back for a second. I believe that we are all really good at something. Yea, we’re pretty good at a lot of things, but we each have one or two gifts that really shine.

In the last two decades or so, I have worn a lot of hats. I have been a businessman, an author, a Bible teacher, a Pastor, and a school administrator. I have also been a broadcaster, editor, producer, program & newscast director, floor manager, CGA operator, and audio mix engineer. I have interviewed paupers and kings. I have even broadcast live from on top of Masada and the Temple Mount in Israel. In none of these situations was I truly all alone–there were other team members there to help with the job, to make better collectively what one person might be able to limp through by him or herself.

I have been blessed to work with some of the most creative, best-humored, and talented people in the world. In some cases I knew that I could do what they do; I just couldn’t do it a tenth as well. If I had a dime for every time someone made a suggestion that resulted in my own growth and improved upon my “project”, I’d be drowning in ten-cent pieces.

You see, when practiced at its highest level, life is a team sport. Is it any accident that the Father, Son & Holy Spirit are unique and yet referred to as one? So, let the Managers manage, the producers produce, the announcers announce, the computer people compute and the editors edit. When the process is right, when collaboration, mutual respect and enthusiasm are in the mix, the results are so much better–and fulfilling–than they can ever be when one person slogs away all alone. Hooray for the team!

Hoping your day is blessed and fruitful,

Dr.J

Joseph A. Cerreta, Ph.D., is an author, broadcaster, popular Bible teacher, and the Senior Pastor of New Covenant Family Church in Holiday, Florida. (C) 2008 by Joseph A Cerreta, all rights reserved.

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