Group projects. Team sports. Greek life. Student clubs. These are but a few of the collegiate-level memberships that we undertake before the "real world" throws things —such as office account teams or parent/teacher organizations—at us after we graduate. Looking at the world around me, I observe our society's very team-oriented mindset. Which, given the fact that humans are extremely social creatures, is understandable.
We like to paint part of a big picture. We like having our ideas heard. But when it comes to individuals, I've noticed an alarming trend among our generation: the slacker. We always grew up hearing that there's no "I" in "team." We learned that the team has to come together to achieve a goal. Did that mentality undermine our drive to achieve our potential as individuals? Do too many people rely on the understanding that, as long as they do their part, I don't have to do mine? We need to reestablish to each other that every cog in a clock matters. We have to learn to function as our own entity before we can learn to make contributions. There is no "I" in "team." But maybe there should be.
Lead, follow or get out of the way. This is a mantra that has been pushed by one of my favorite public relations teachers for years. And it perfectly establishes the three types of people who are always involved in the situations I'm attempting to address. More often than not, the leaders and followers have to pick up the slack for those who simply refuse to get out of the way. Can we take a moment and visualize all of the progress our leaders would make if they didn't have to do your job on top of their own? Now, let's push it a step further—see whether your leaders did their job fully but also whether you did your job to your best ability? Your grades, your organization as a whole and your skills would thrive.
Consider these 500 words to be your motivation. If I'm preaching to the choir and you're one of the leaders to whom I referred in the preceding paragraph, then let this be motivation for you to become the catalyst within your team. Inspire each other. Let everyone know that they have something to bring to the table. Communicate openly about any grievances or appreciations. We are the future of the workforce that drives all of society. If we can learn early to cohesively work as an aggregation, it'll make all of our lives easier in the long run.
