Cup of Inspiration

Today, December 4^th, is Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day. Today is the day we recognize the importance of teamwork and recognize their efforts through gifts, lunch, or at least a nice thank you for their efforts.

Many people work within a team at work. Perhaps you are part of a team designing a new feature to help improve customer service at your company. Perhaps you are part of a marketing team working on the next marketing campaign. Even if your job isn’t part of a team, there is a good chance you are part of a team in another area of your life. Perhaps you are part of a team working on a fundraising event for your favorite charity, or part of a team for a school event.

The idea of teamwork is that we acknowledge we cannot do it all. One person may have the knack for imagining the perfect design of a room, but another person on the team reminds everyone where they are on the budget. Perhaps one member of the team has a great idea for an app that will help employees in their work, and another member of the team has the technical background to help build it. One member of a writing team has a great direction for a play, but another member of that team can bring in their perspective for one of the characters. Teamwork allows us to bring in the various talents, skills, and perspectives of various people to help move a project further than one individual.

Teamwork helps us achieve more in our endeavors. It is also important for teams to receive recognition for their work. There is no one perfect way to recognize a team. That recognition may take the form of a team luncheon, allowing members to get away from work for a little while and enjoy each other’s company with a nice meal. Perhaps providing the team with some thank you presents as a reward to show appreciation for their efforts. Even a simple “thank you” can show acknowledgement that the team has done well. It’s important for the members of the team to see that their individual efforts to the collective effort is appreciated.

If you are a team member, thank your fellow members for their efforts today. If you are a leader of a team, make sure the whole team is aware of the impact their hard work is making toward the success of the organization, and thank them appropriately.