So does vision, when many people share it. We need more objective, bipartisan teamwork.
In this photo released by Federal Emergency Management Agency on August 4, 2009, the US Capitol building is seen from the east side. (FEMA/Bill Koplitz)
Featured Expert:
Marianthi Sommers is a homeschooling mom and management analyst for the Department of Defense. She has about 6 years of experience in the first position and 20 years of experience in the second. Both jobs have taught her valuable lessons. She said, "I've learned that professionalism, honesty and integrity mean far more than content
knowledge. As a homeschooling mom, I've learned the value of time and
repetition. Results are rarely immediate with students, but you can
see great progress with slow and steady repetition of material."
Sommers' workplace experience has also taught her that "people want to know that they
are valued and feel that they have something to contribute." Joint collaboration towards a common goal is essential in efficient and productive teams. If this condition is not met, individuals will pursue their own ambitions, power will be imbalanced, and progress will be lost. According to Sommers, "The
most effective and valued team members are those who respect everyone's
contribution and leave personal ambition and emotion aside."
This teamwork concept applies to groups within the federal government especially as representatives of the interests of all American citizens. In order to be productive, people need to be allowed to contribute. Although not necessarily supported, their opinions need to valued. Debates need not be polarizing; a return to civility is desperately needed in many spheres. The total absence of dissenting or challenging opinions in the past (especially recently) has led to absolute, authoritarian rule.
Fortunately, articles such as http://breakinggov.com/2012/12/21/best-places-for-teamwork-in-government/, by Judi Hasson, show positive federal employee feedback and examples of federal initiatives to build cross-agency collaboration. If only the eagerness to increase teamwork extended to issues more controversial than bullying or human trafficking. In his article, http://www.grbj.com/articles/78428-politicians-need-an-hr-lesson-teamwork-with-a-focus, Ardon Schambers of Grand Rapids Business Journal suggested several strategies under the heading, "Politicians need an HR lesson: teamwork with a focus", referring to elected officials as "our employees".
Schambers said, "To accomplish almost any goal, it requires a concerted effort, working with others involved with the process, and it means thoughtful considerations to assure resources are applied effectively. In a business or any type of organization, it is necessary to agree in general on what is trying to be accomplished. One of the clear paths is to have well-defined goals. Notice I said goals, not goal. It is a very rare organization that has a single goal."
Multivisionary, bipartisan work is needed. Sommers said, "From a political perspective, it seems politics has become streamlined into the professional workplace. When I began my career there was little focus on who the elected leaders were or what our personal perspectives were politically. Today, personal political sentiment seems to play a factor and polarizes the work environment."
For Sommers, her most fulfilling and important goal is investing in her children through homeschooling. She said, "Even on hard days I still know that it's what I'm called to do and it keeps me going [...] My advice and lesson is that the world will go on without us so be mindful of what you invest
in. Invest in things that matter now and into the future and find balance
where necessary." In all stages of life and in both public and private sectors there are opportunities to contribute to something meaningful and rewarding.
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