One of the greatest experiences I’ve
ever had was being on an unbeaten/untied athletic team. It was a
long time ago (high school), and it was a grueling sport
(wrestling). In a hometown where football and basketball dominated,
wrestling was easy to ignore. But for a very special season, my
sport captivated an entire community. In the process we taught a lot
of people (most importantly ourselves) about teamwork and what is
required to achieve group success.
In wrestling, a team of ten athletes of
varying size and weight compete against an opposing team in
individual matches; points are awarded to a team in accordance to
whether their wrestler wins, ties, or loses. Team strategy, which
changed with one’s individual opponent, required that teammates meet
a different challenge each week; win when superior, tie when evenly
matched, and struggle to avoid a loss when inferior. These tactics
were predicated on the belief that each week someone would
overachieve; win or tie, they were predicted to tie or win. Each
week the onus to overcome knowingly rested upon different wrestlers;
and each week someone on the team did just that. Although not
initially touted, by season’s end this team came to epitomize
perfection, success, and all the merits of hard work and commitment
for my community.
As a department (or institution) we also
represent a diverse group of individuals. We may have different life
expectations and goals, education and talents, or jobs and
responsibilities. But we are a team. All of us will be called upon
to consistently meet the group’s expectation, and, occasionally, to
“overachieve” if the team is to be victorious. We should encourage
each other, support each other, trust each other, and be loyal to
each other. We must believe that our individual efforts, whatever
they may be, are critical to the overall success of the
organization. Finally, our sense of gratification for the group’s
triumphs must always exceed that associated with personal triumph.
Many of us try very hard to do our best,
but there always seems to be insurmountable obstacles. I strongly
believe that personal excellence is extremely hard for most of us to
realize. But put people into a group that can truly come together
behind a common goal and the possibilities are endless. I know
because some years ago I belonged to such a group...as individuals
we were good, but as a team we were perfect.
Ronald W. Lindsey, MD
