Rule # 2 - The 17 Indisputable Rules of Teamwork

This concept could not have been more poignant today as I begin to reflect on an event that was held last year at my high school. A 12 hour walkathon was held as a fundraiser / awareness campaign for a local family. I arrived at 2AM because I volunteered to come in with a DJ service, JProductions and help him setup to provide entertainment for all the walkers and volunteers and carry them until the wee hours of the morning. I was amazed at how many people were there, awake, in good spirits and walking towards their goal: 7AM. For those of you who were there, thanks. For those of you who could not make it but helped in some way, thanks also. It was an amazing success and brings me to the 2nd Indisputable Law of Teamwork.

The Law of the Big Picture: The Goal is More Important Than the Role

Everyone that helped, be is as simple as passing along information about the event was important. An event of this size and scope could have only been as successful as it was with the helping hands of many. When people come together for a cause, success is imminent. You should have seen the camaraderie, it was amazing. There were stations all over the school with volunteers from the community, parents and businesses. Classrooms had places to make shirts, signs and blanket squares; the cafeteria was loaded with foods of all types. People were coming together to make a difference, in something that was larger than they were. Always remember the rules.

Trendwatching

Do you subscribe to Trendwatching.com? I find it useful for interesting news items and of course, trends, to share with my students. The site is run by a trend firm based in Amsterdam, and provides insight to consumer trends around the world.

The link below is to their October briefing (you can sign up to receive a free monthly briefing). The topic for October was what they called “Perkonomics”, providing added value to products, services, memberships, etc.

http://trendwatching.com/trends/perkonomics/

In this unstable economic time, consumers are finding more reasons to hold on to their money, rather than spending it participating in the retail world. While they may not have much patience for gimmicks, some added “value” may be appreciated.

Also, you can sign up to be a trend-spotter and earn points towards prizes through their sister site Springwise (http://www.springspotters.com/springspotters/).

Rule # 1 - The 17 Indisputable Rules of Teamwork

Recently, while I was researching something for a class, I came across this list of the 17 Indisputable Rules of Teamwork by John Maxwell. I liked the list so much I have printed it and sent it to some of my friends, many of which have been on my team in life. It adds a little perspective to things when you consider that the middle class in our country is shrinking and your generation is more likely to "boomerang" home after college as rising costs of housing spin up and out of control. I am going to blog each of the seventeen separately so you can take the time to reflect on their independent significance. The rule was part of the list; the comments are mine for you to respond to.


Rule # 1: The Law of Significance:
One Is Too Small a Number to Achieve Greatness

No one person is so important as not need the support or input from someone else. It is often said that behind every famous or important person is their mentor. Few people, if any achieve success without the help of others. Think about the people in your life that are behind the scenes and allow you to accomplish what you do. You likely perform some of those same things for people in your life. We need each other; virtually no one can be successful alone.