Interesting question…and guess what, apparently he was. “Survival of the fittest” is not pre-wired into our genes. According to several key researchers in Tom Shadyac’s movie I AM, it’s actually the opposite. Apparently it’s in our DNA to strive for cooperation, connect with others and be empathetic. Think about the last time you felt pure joy at work – when you felt a surge of contentment and connection with the people around you. I’ll bet it wasn’t when you “met your numbers” and came out on top of your peers.
I remember my first boss and the team I was part of. We ate together most days. We went out at night after work. We shared our workload – if one was swamped, others jumped into help. And our boss, Shelley, used to make cookies and bring them to our team meetings. Imagine – a boss that made cookies. And yet, these small gestures reinforced a key message. I care. She knew who each of us was – what mattered to us personally – and gave us feedback that helped us progress and grow. And through that leadership, she fostered a sense of teamwork that I never experienced in quite the same way again.
Shelley was a transformational leader. She worked with people at a personal level – and through that connection – helped them achieve professionally. Our team was incredibly productive and our sense of unity noticeable. We laughed a lot. I think Shelley was ahead of her time or maybe she just didn’t know any better. In any case it’s been almost 25 years – and that experience stays with me. What memories are you leaving with your team?
Our guest blogger Dr. Brenda Marshall is the founder of FLOW Learning and The Solacium Group.
