Working Together Works

Two Saturdays ago I volunteered my time to help out at the annual local 4H horse show. During the past year I have attended one other 4H horse show and two rodeos, but now that I’ve worked behind the scenes I realize just how much work there is to seamlessly pull off an event like that – big or small.

First and foremost it took the willing participation of a handful of adults who wanted to see this event through for the children in their lives. Off the top of my head I know of nine “positions” that volunteers/parents needed to fill in order for this show to go on – and there may have been more! I certainly didn’t anticipate it being that complicated.

Secondly and most importantly, it took teamwork to pull the whole thing off. We had two folks that helped with the registration of participants, at least two folks in the ring handling the set up and gate operations, two folks timing the events, and two more folks in the announcer’s box emceeing, keeping track of scores, and handing out the prizes and ribbons. Volunteers were in communication with each other by use of walkie-talkies so those in the ring and the others on the hill were in harmony with each other. Some people overlapped their duties because certain things just needed to be done and we didn’t have enough people to go around.

Why am I telling you all this? Because sometimes we forget how important teamwork really is. We take it for granted in our everyday situations – like how you and your spouse handle chores or how you and your fabulous office assistant synchronize perfectly. The longer you work together, the more smoothly operations flow. But teamwork does not necessarily require a deep relationship with your partners in order for the project or event to successfully take place. What it does take is the ability or desire of the team members to work with each other, to get along, and to just do what needs to be done. Somebody has to take the lead and the others have to be willing to follow.

There are many projects that need the attention of more than one person in order to get them completed. We have to be willing to recognize that fact and ask for assistance when we need it or be willing to accept it when it’s offered. Working together works.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE? You certainly may as long as you let me know and include this blurb with it: (C) 5/7/09 by Kimberly J. McCloskey, Virtual Assistant, writes articles on how to improve personal and professional productivity. Request your copy of her newsletter at kimberly.j.mccloskey @ gmail.com.