A colleague mentioned the name of a book he read that made a profound impact on him and his view of the world. It is To Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Have you heard of it? I had not, so I ordered a copy and started reading it this week.
Early on, the author describes that “Happiness, as opposed to pleasure, is a matter of a life well lived, one that honors the important, not just the urgent.”
And isn’t this true about teamwork as well?
He goes on to say, “Happiness is the ability to say: I lived for certain values and acted on them. I was part of a family (my team) embracing it and being embraced by it. I was part of a community (the organization) honoring its traditions, sharing its griefs and joys, ready to help others, knowing that they were ready to help me. I did not only ask what I could take; I asked what I could contribute. To know that you made a difference.”
Ah, now that is the essence of truly extraordinary teamwork!
KRISTIN ARNOLD, MBA, CPF, CSP is a high-stakes meeting facilitator and professional panel moderator. She’s been facilitating teams of executives and managers in making better decisions and achieving greater results for over 20 years. She is the author of the award-winning book, Boring to Bravo: Proven Presentation Techniques to Engage, Involve and Inspire Audiences to Action.
Recent Articles:
4 Tell-tale Signs You are a Controlling Leader
Leaders: Do You Need Strategic Planning or Do You Have Clear Vision?
Stretch your Leadership Team’s Ability to Think Strategically
Photo by Hawa Latupono on Reshot