It’s easy to forget what it means to be a team. I’m constantly listening to friends squabbling with their co-workers and wondering why they are relating these concerns and issues to me…and not their team mate.

Working in a team is (or should be) a naturally collaborative, competitive, healthy environment. Yep, that’s right – collaboration and competition do not have to be two distinct feelings. I’ve seen people work amazingly well together who were vying for top spot…but still supported each other where it counted. In many ways, their mutual competitive tendencies made each of them stronger.

So where do you draw the line?

When competition holds you back from working with the people around you, it becomes impossible to be a team. The word team becomes a joke even – you’re a lone wolf doing “work” but not contributing in to the best of your abilities – or to the greatest benefit for the company.

Compete. But support each other. Don’t forget that at the end of the day you are on the same team and you should be pushing each  other and holding each other accountable. After all…it’s easy to complain to others about how inadequate your team mates are.

But if that’s how you feel…don’t you ever wonder what they think about you?

In order of priority –

1. Get the job done.

2. Get the job done.

3. Get the job done.

Your own personal moment to shine is totally and utterly secondary. Or rather…fortherary?