Build Community (a.k.a. Foster Teamwork)
"It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there's no one to help, tough! Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night. By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped."
These are the words of the wisest man to ever walk the face of the earth. King Solomon was blessed with immeasurable wisdom, and he penned these words for us in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (The Message). These words apply to business today just as much as they did when they were written nearly 3,000 years ago.
The idea here is that there is strength in numbers, and nowhere is this more apparent than it is in the workplace. Often the greatest successes in business come when companies take advantage of certain synergies, and more importantly when there is a real sense of community. Evolutionists would call this a "tribal instinct", but the Bible also addresses this in Genesis when God states that, "it is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper, a companion" (Genesis 2:18, The Message). Some versions even say refer to the helper as being "fit for him" (English Standard Version) or "comparable to him" (New King James Version). It is important to recognize here that the helper or companion is similar to but not exactly like the other. This speaks to the value in our differences, with the ultimate goal of benefiting each other.
We are designed for community. People have an innate sense that we should be with other people. Regardless of how you believe it got there we have a need to be together. In business this typically translates into what we call teamwork, but this is not always the exact manifestation of our need for community. Often work groups help us with brainstorming, distribution of work based on skills, and even accountability. However, sometimes this is reflected in the fact that we just need to be together socially as well.
In an informal survey, one respondent (jka) states that in a business, "If you have success, it is great. If you have success as a team, much more great! You are lucky, if you could share your happiness with your other team members." As a leader in an organization it is important to recognize that there is a need for people to connect, whether it is through teamwork, or allowing people to connect through your community.
In the writings of Solomon referenced earlier, the focus of the statement in the original Hebrew language is on fellowship, friendship, and union. Solomon recognizes that through relationship with each other we become stronger. As business leaders it is extremely important to provide an environment where relationships flourish. Hence the importance of team-building exercises, and team meetings, and many other forms of relationship-developing activities.
Regardless of the reason for having community, the benefits to the business are extreme. People are happier where they feel connected and are a part of a productive community. Happier communities will produce better. The question here is, what can you do today to foster a sense of community, and build stronger teams (through relationships)?
These are the words of the wisest man to ever walk the face of the earth. King Solomon was blessed with immeasurable wisdom, and he penned these words for us in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (The Message). These words apply to business today just as much as they did when they were written nearly 3,000 years ago.
The idea here is that there is strength in numbers, and nowhere is this more apparent than it is in the workplace. Often the greatest successes in business come when companies take advantage of certain synergies, and more importantly when there is a real sense of community. Evolutionists would call this a "tribal instinct", but the Bible also addresses this in Genesis when God states that, "it is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper, a companion" (Genesis 2:18, The Message). Some versions even say refer to the helper as being "fit for him" (English Standard Version) or "comparable to him" (New King James Version). It is important to recognize here that the helper or companion is similar to but not exactly like the other. This speaks to the value in our differences, with the ultimate goal of benefiting each other.
We are designed for community. People have an innate sense that we should be with other people. Regardless of how you believe it got there we have a need to be together. In business this typically translates into what we call teamwork, but this is not always the exact manifestation of our need for community. Often work groups help us with brainstorming, distribution of work based on skills, and even accountability. However, sometimes this is reflected in the fact that we just need to be together socially as well.
In an informal survey, one respondent (jka) states that in a business, "If you have success, it is great. If you have success as a team, much more great! You are lucky, if you could share your happiness with your other team members." As a leader in an organization it is important to recognize that there is a need for people to connect, whether it is through teamwork, or allowing people to connect through your community.
In the writings of Solomon referenced earlier, the focus of the statement in the original Hebrew language is on fellowship, friendship, and union. Solomon recognizes that through relationship with each other we become stronger. As business leaders it is extremely important to provide an environment where relationships flourish. Hence the importance of team-building exercises, and team meetings, and many other forms of relationship-developing activities.
Regardless of the reason for having community, the benefits to the business are extreme. People are happier where they feel connected and are a part of a productive community. Happier communities will produce better. The question here is, what can you do today to foster a sense of community, and build stronger teams (through relationships)?
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