I constantly need to remind myself of a simple life mantra – never assume. Two individuals in my life model the process I should follow. When there is a foundational assumption to a discussion, each goes through the step of making sure we are on the same page. Even if it a subject that I should be familiar with, they do not assume. Even as I reacted negatively to a definition page in a presentation, they remind me that it was dangerous to make assumptions.
Recent independent actions by individuals I work are reminders that indicate we may not share the same definition of “teamwork”. As I look back, I cannot recall that we have ever discussed what teamwork means individually. We presume we know and understand. I wonder what happened in our lives to shape our understanding. Was it our experiences on the playground? Are we relying on something passed to us by our parents? Have we considered what our actions are describing to others?
Increasingly, actions say that everything is based on the role of the individual trumping others. Relationships – between two or as a community – pivot on the how each chooses between the supremacy of the individual and doing what is best for others. If I evaluation the action trends I am experiencing in my relationship with others, I would say that the individual is winning. Paul offers a contrarian view using a marriage relationship as the metaphor. “The marriage bed must be a place of mutuality—the husband seeking to satisfy his wife, the wife seeking to satisfy her husband. Marriage is not a place to “stand up for your rights.”” (1 Corinthians 7.3)
The question of going alone or working together extends to every aspect of life. An example is the US Naval Academy point of honor that is drilled into every cadet from her/his first day on campus. “Never bilge (endanger) a shipmate”.
Each choice defines the center of our story. Is our story one with a single player or multiple? Note, God offers us a place in the Divine story.
