You are human… not a nut!
A team is a success machine and each of us, a unique, important component in it…. It is us, that makes that machine.
The machine works when all of us:
- understand our function,
- stay in our place,
- work together,
- do what we are required to,
- do it when we are required to,
- yield to the others when we need to,
- support those that we influence
- pick up our hand and call for help when we are unable to deliver!
The machine works well when each of us plays our part well… It is absolutely important that none of us are worn out, rusted or not oiled properly.
Every one of us has an equally important role to play in the working of the machine. Most times, it is the smallest nut that does not lock in properly with the bolt, that causes the machine to squeak and squeal and ultimately break.
By the same token, have you seen machines that have an odd nut that gets off its groove and starts moving around in the machine? It causes the most noise, the most damage…. It needs to be put back in place or removed/ replaced!
Teams succeed when everyone understand his/her part and plays consistently, dependably and positively within ones perimeter.
It seems easy enough! The problem is, we are not inanimate components… we are people, with our own free will, our own legitimate emotions, our needs, our wants, our own ambitions! We can do more, and we do more… and when we do, we want to be recognized….
A nut will always remain a nut. In fact, it wears out over time! We humans on the other hand, grow over time, we get better….
This is the good and bad of being human! Good because, we grow… we can do more, our value can constantly be greater! Bad because, we don’t always know, when the right time is. We do not understand the right time for ourselves nor for others always! Invariably, we expect others to understand more and listen more and care more than we do!
A team is the sum total of everyone, playing their parts consistently, together with everyone else. There will be problems! The machine needs maintenance… parts need to be maintained… parts need to be replaced….
You are human. Yet you are not independent! You can do more. And you certainly are not just a ‘nut’… you can understand better. You can be more considerate. You can be more responsible. You are not constrained. But you can definitely stay restrained!
It’s always when you do more that the team grows. And it is only when the team grows, that you can expect to grow. Play your part very well! Let your machine thrive and grow!
You are human… not a nut!
