October 2007 Leader Letter
by Linda Hatcher
“We must all hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately.” Benjamin Franklin
Even 225 years cannot fade the truth of how important teamwork has always been, and will always be, whether in keeping a fledgling nation together or in running a corporation.
There is no shortage of information on teamwork and its importance, of course, and we have all heard gurus pontificate about how we all need to work cooperatively together for the common good. While all of that is true, there is another side to teamwork that needs to be discussed, and that is ETHICAL teamwork. While most teams do, indeed, strive to be ethical, the very nature of closely working together can cause individuals and groups to compromise ethical concerns in the name of being a good team player. In “Leadership to Ensure Ethical Teamwork,” we discuss practical, effective ways to overcome what Janus and Mann in 1977 called “groupthink.” CLICK HERE.
Also new this month is an article that continues the ethical teamwork theme: “High Performance and Ethical Teams.” The six traits of high-performance teams are discussed, along with several tips from former government leader Donna Shalala on leading teams with honesty and integrity. CLICK HERE.
Perhaps if we hang together, we will not have to hang separately, and that is a dramatic image for the desired end result of ethical teamwork: to survive and thrive as both individuals and groups. It has worked well for our nation for more than 225 years, so there must be a timeless wisdom for us to learn in our business dealings today.
Defining Leadership: “The key elements in the art of working together are how to deal with change, how to deal with conflict, and how to reach our potential. The needs of the team are best met when we meet the needs of individuals.” Max DePree
Inspiring Leadership Quote: “Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results” Andrew Carnegie
Copyright 2007 © Leadership Education and Development, Inc.
