The Teamwork Factor
I was recently honored by the Department of Defense to be a participant in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC) trip to Africa and the Middle East. This is the oldest existing Pentagon outreach program; developed in 1948 to educate America's business leaders interested in expanding their personal and corporate knowledge of the military and our national defense. Basically, I spent a week with our military forces in active theaters of operation in Africa, the Persian Gulf and the Middle East. It was an experience I will never forget.
I was allowed to attend briefings by senior military and civilian officials followed by hands-on experiences observing military exercises, participating in training and then interacting with our troops stationed around the world. We were able to get a first-hand look at the men and women of "our" military and to see just how motivated they are, even though it's a tough job. The people I met in these military operations accomplish their intricate jobs in some very challenging situations; I can sum it up in one word - teamwork.
The interaction that the various U.S. Military branches are conducting hinges almost entirely on intricate team building processes. Especially when you're talking about our various military departments (Army, Air Force, Navy) getting it all together so they can work with the various coalition forces that are assigned in the same regions. It is amazing what they are doing by correlating ground, air and sea forces to accomplish one mission. It made me realize just how important it is to activate a "front line" that is based on solid communications procedures within a company so the team building spirit can grow unrestricted.
What is a business? It comes down to this; a business is a concept that is guided by skilled people. That's it. If the people work well together then the business will prosper, if not the business is likely to face an unsuccessful future. The notion of teamwork in today's business environment fosters productive methods of getting the job done. I want every person who works at PremiereTrade® to understand the corporate mission and goals. I also want them to feel great about coming to work everyday by contributing their talents to accomplish something important that will ultimately help our customers.
Each employee has a responsibility to the team but must take individual "ownership" in the job. It is a fine balance that can be shifted in the wrong direction if management doesn't promote the team building model. It takes a lot of time and effort. Plus, as the team starts to grow with your business, sometimes the feeling of a close-knit team can get lost in the mix. Make sure your managers compensate for this to insure that the productive atmosphere continues to thrive. If the team effort is allowed to retreat, the effectiveness of your business and how it relates to your customers will pay a dear price.
Imagine if our military forces in today's 21st century war zones having trouble communicating. After seeing their procedures up close and personal last month, I can tell you that would be a disaster. That's why they train constantly and practice their procedures of interaction; whether it is within their own branch of the military, with other U.S. services, or with foreign coalition forces. You can bet that our military has learned the lessons that teamwork cultivates. It was an honor to visit our military overseas and I hope to go back someday soon. But more than that, it was an education. Their tight operational procedures allowed me to take a closer look at how my own company reacts to the daily routine and understand when to make adjustments, if necessary.
Many thanks to the Department of Defense and my JCOC traveling companions. It was an experience I will be sharing with you all in an upcoming issue of the James Dicks Magazine. It's a program that I wish every American could experience, and it will be my honor to share more about this incredible trip with you soon. In the meantime, consider what our military forces are doing for you everyday and be appreciative - be very appreciative!
Originally published in the Outspoken e-newsletter.