When I think of my Dad, I think of his intelligence and his gentleness. I don't think about his job. He was an accountant. I don't think about his wealth. He truly wasn't wealthy. I don't think about what he owned materially. It wasn't much. So, what do I think about? I think about what was at his core. What his strengths were. My Dad was smart and well-read. He was kind and gentle. He was a loving man. That is the part of my Dad that still survives in my mind and heart over thirty years after his death. I happen to know that I am not the only one with those memories. Whenever family members speak of him, those are the things that are remembered. I spoke to my cousin B. the other day about him. He remembers his last interaction with my Dad to this day. And like me, he keeps his memory of my Dad close to his heart. My Dad was probably a good team player. He valued other human beings. He was respectful. I know that I wouldn't have survived dealing with Maxine without his support and love. He was very important in my family life.... he was a key person on my 'team'.
I have been very conscious of looking at strengths and what is at my core recently. I've started a job that is somewhat outside of most of my professional experiences. As you know, I spent years of my life working for non-profits. I was a case manager working with people through the most stressful situations and issues. From mental illness to people with Alzheimer's disease. I even worked with those with physical illness, such as HIV. I now work in a place in which I deal with the public. There are some things that I have carried with me from my previous experience. Even though the jobs have almost nothing to do with each other. I am friendly. I work with customers on a daily basis, and it is clear that I am strong in terms of my ability to work with the public. Because I am friendly and open, I invite people to share with me. I create strong relationships with customers. Very easily. It comes naturally. Because that is a strong part of MY core. I may not be as strong in other areas of the job. I lack experience. I may also lack aptitude for different parts of the job.
But this is the wonderful part of the story. OTHER people have a different core than I do. They have strengths that I don't have. And that is what makes a team. Not all people have to have the same strengths. We simply have to have the willingness to respect the strengths of other people. And the willingness to work as a team. Now, I admit that isn't always easy. Ego gets in the way. Different values get in the way. Working as a team takes work on the part of all people. Without the barriers that ego imposes on the process. All members of the team have to be challenged to participate in successful team building. All have to have the self-esteem to recognize that being part of a team doesn't mean being the ONLY valuable member of the team. All members of the team are equally important.
I work on a team at work. When we are working together as a team, we aren't about only ourselves. We are about each other. It isn't about ego and self-importance. In some ways, I am beyond that. I don't need to prove who I am. I feel comfortable with myself. I am happy with my core. I see my Dad and the values he taught in my life. So, whatever I do at work, I am OK. As long as I am playing to my strengths and willing to work successfully with other people. In recovery, people can use other people in the same way. When someone is strong in one area and another is weak in that area, they both become stronger when they work together. That's the idea behind support groups.
For many people, depression prevents working with other people. It is well worth the effort to deal with the sadness and anger in order to be more capable of working within teams. The concept of team is valuable in working life and in recovery. Do you see why? What is your core? What areas do you have 'skills' in that are natural to you? How can you use those strengths for the benefit of the team and to increase your own satisfaction? It may be helpful for you to look at what YOU bring to the team and to recognize what the other team members can contribute to YOUR life. And your work.
I have been very conscious of looking at strengths and what is at my core recently. I've started a job that is somewhat outside of most of my professional experiences. As you know, I spent years of my life working for non-profits. I was a case manager working with people through the most stressful situations and issues. From mental illness to people with Alzheimer's disease. I even worked with those with physical illness, such as HIV. I now work in a place in which I deal with the public. There are some things that I have carried with me from my previous experience. Even though the jobs have almost nothing to do with each other. I am friendly. I work with customers on a daily basis, and it is clear that I am strong in terms of my ability to work with the public. Because I am friendly and open, I invite people to share with me. I create strong relationships with customers. Very easily. It comes naturally. Because that is a strong part of MY core. I may not be as strong in other areas of the job. I lack experience. I may also lack aptitude for different parts of the job.
But this is the wonderful part of the story. OTHER people have a different core than I do. They have strengths that I don't have. And that is what makes a team. Not all people have to have the same strengths. We simply have to have the willingness to respect the strengths of other people. And the willingness to work as a team. Now, I admit that isn't always easy. Ego gets in the way. Different values get in the way. Working as a team takes work on the part of all people. Without the barriers that ego imposes on the process. All members of the team have to be challenged to participate in successful team building. All have to have the self-esteem to recognize that being part of a team doesn't mean being the ONLY valuable member of the team. All members of the team are equally important.
I work on a team at work. When we are working together as a team, we aren't about only ourselves. We are about each other. It isn't about ego and self-importance. In some ways, I am beyond that. I don't need to prove who I am. I feel comfortable with myself. I am happy with my core. I see my Dad and the values he taught in my life. So, whatever I do at work, I am OK. As long as I am playing to my strengths and willing to work successfully with other people. In recovery, people can use other people in the same way. When someone is strong in one area and another is weak in that area, they both become stronger when they work together. That's the idea behind support groups.
For many people, depression prevents working with other people. It is well worth the effort to deal with the sadness and anger in order to be more capable of working within teams. The concept of team is valuable in working life and in recovery. Do you see why? What is your core? What areas do you have 'skills' in that are natural to you? How can you use those strengths for the benefit of the team and to increase your own satisfaction? It may be helpful for you to look at what YOU bring to the team and to recognize what the other team members can contribute to YOUR life. And your work.
No comments:
Post a Comment