"A team is not a
committee. A committee is not a
team. Teamwork is for
teams.
Committees do not solve
problems, they create them." ~ Slim Fairview
I do not like sports
analogies. However, as we are discussing teams, we must use them. Also, I do not like long introductions. Therefore:
Here is the metaphor:
The Giants have 11 men
on the field. For the purposes of this discussion they are:
One Center
Two Guards,
Two Tackles
Two Ends
One Quarterback
Two Halfbacks
One Fullback
Each player plays a
position. (A Job Title)
Each position has a
job description.
Each player has some
degree of discretion within the parameters of his assignment which he may
exercise as different situations present themselves, at the time they present
themselves, and in the way that they present themselves.
If a defensive lineman
decides not to break through the line, the tackle must decide whether and
how to change his approach--to handle his assignment. Others must make
adjustments accordingly.
"The joke is in the
way I say it, not in what I say." ~ Slim Fairview.
The Tackle does not call
a time out, walk across the field and say to the Receiver, "Listen, you
missed that last pass, how about I run down field with you in case there is another problem?"
The Halfback does not
stroll over to find out what is going on.
If there appears to be a
dispute, the QB does not go over to implement some conflict resolution.
The Coach does not come
out onto the field to suggest that the tackle head up a committee of back
fielders and receivers to look into the problem.
Human Resources doesn't
not go out onto the field to suggest bringing in a consultant who might hold a
training session where everyone will have the opportunity to play different positions in order to become more sensitive to
the other players feelings.
A fan does not come out onto the field to represent stakeholder interests and suggest we need a field 200 yards long to
expand the market and six downs per play for revenue enhancement.
A second stringer does
not go out onto the field to suggest increasing the number of players on the
field to 15 or 20 so more people get to play.
There are a few
things to consider though.
The team already has a
shared vision
The team already has a
defined goal
The team members already
have their assignments
The team members already
have their job descriptions.
Also there are other similarities
The opposing team
presents a set of knowns and a set of unknowns.
The offensive team knows
the strengths and weaknesses of the defensive team. They do
not, however, know which members of the defensive team will present the
problem--or where.
If that defensive
lineman decides to go around the offensive line rather than through it, then
the Tackle must made a decision--on his own--"do I pull back or not?"
That decision will influence the action of, say, the Fullback. He may now be forced to move to protect the QB from being sacked.
In the same manner, the
defensive line must also respond to situations and changing
situations as a team. That means each player has a degree of
autonomy to make decisions within the parameters of his assigned position.
"As a team"
means each individual doing his own job--not someone else's job.
A defensive lineman must
decide where to go, depending on which offensive player is carrying the ball
and in which direction he is heading.
You won't win many
football games if you tell your defensive linemen, "Don't worry about
where the ball is going. Let me worry about that. That's my job. If
you want to be helpful, just do what I tell you to do. If I want you to
do something else, I will tell you." (Right in the middle of the play, eh?
That comment is pretty much what I was told on at least
two occasions by a boss who made a serious error in judgement. That according to many bosses.)
Back to Congress
Everyone is entitled to
an opinion. True!
Everyone is entitled to
express that opinion. True!
The right to an opinion
does not confer value upon that opinion.
"Opinions are like
hemorrhoids. Sooner or later almost every Congressman has one." ~ The Quotations of Slim Fairview.
Case in Point:
Congress has 535
members.
Congress has a 5%
approval rating.
You can't put 535
Congressmen into a 5% bag.
Back to football
Credentials:
Each football player has credentials. Each team has a record.
Players have training, ability, experience and a track record. Teams have a record of wins and losses, over and against which teams, and the analysis of the reasons why.
For example: Both Quarterbacks have a record of passes, pass completions, yards gained and lost, runs, yards, gained, sacks, and wins and losses.
Still, one QB wins and one loses. Obviously, no one wins or loses on his own. Each has 10 other players on his team. Each player doing his job. And only his job. Each team has a coach who writes plays (strategic planning) and a coach who replaces players who get tired, makes too many mistakes, or fails to perform to the (measurables) standards of the team.
When was the last time you replaced someone on your team? As they say across the pond--"Dropped for not scoring."
GET THE MESSAGE?
Teamwork is for teams. A team is not a committee. A committee is not a team. Committees do not solve problems, they cause them.
Replace your committee with a team.
Be sure your team is in compliance with the paradigm of a team.
There are those who believe that a committee is the best way to deal with a problem. I will now refute, repudiate, disparage, and debunk their delusions with one word--Congress.
Einstein (The Physicists) said, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I assume he meant better results.
"I am no Einstein. I know nothing about physics." ~ Slim Fairview.
"Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting better results." ~ Slim Fairview
From, The Quotations of Slim Fairview (c) 2013
Einstein also said, "You don't measure the intelligence of a fish by its ability to climb a tree."
Slim Fairview said, "If you want someone to climb a tree, you hire a cat."
"If you want to know something, Google it. If you want to understand something, ask an old person." ~ Slim Fairview.
If anything herein has helped guide you toward clear thinking and solid action, please do not hesitate to send me a really tricked out Mac Book and to tuck a few dollars into the envelope along with the thank you note.
or
GoFundMe
or
GoFundMe
Warmest regards,
Slim.
Robert Asken Box 33
Pen Argyl, PA 18072
Slim.
Robert Asken Box 33
Pen Argyl, PA 18072
Copyright © 2013 Robert Asken
All Rights Reserved.
