Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Check out my blog post "Will friendship increase teamwork?"
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Interesting article, but I feel like "friendship" is too broad a term to use to describe a team spirit. You are right to say that there needs to be a paradigm shift. A sceptic mentality can seriously undermine the long term success of the TEAM and each must be pushing for the success of the whole.
The problem with referring to this as friendship is that, for most, friendship describes a relationship of choice. One that is mutual, where each has the freedom and control to leave or adjust the relationship as they see fit. For example, friends are people I choose to spend time with each other outside of work, people I call when I need help, people I introduce to my family. This kind of freedom is not readily available in the work place. Your team is not always one you choose, more likely, it's prescribed.
When describing a spirit of teamwork where I am "dedicated to being a team member as opposed to making myself desirable for membership within the team" I'm not describing friendship, I'm describing a healthy group. Ultimately, though, you are right. In order for a team to be successful it needs camaraderie, it needs chemistry. Without it, team success just won't last.