by Marife A. Canares
If you want to do anything of value, teamwork is required.
I’d like to borrow the idea of John Maxwell on Teamwork and how it materialized in my workplace as an educational leader.
- Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect.
As leaders it is crucial to know the capability of your workforce. When we were tasked to present the different learning modalities in line with the schools BE-LCP, the first thing that I did was to call for a meeting of department heads and coordinators. Our brainstorming session lead us in identifying teachers who can design lessons aided by technology and can best perform the task with ease. Each presenter was assisted by the people in their department during the preparation and actual presentation. Their teamwork has indeed divided the effort of putting up with the BE-LCP presentation, making the actual task easier to manage. People working together can do more than an individual working alone. The effect was the rewarding experience of receiving the approval and applause of the school leaders after the presentation.
- Talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships.
It is known that MNCHS have talented learners and coaches and we join different contests and competitive presentations whether in the division, regional or national level. There are times we bring home the bacon and sometimes we don’t, but that is beside the point. The thing is, behind each school representation, are people who trained the contestants weeks and even months before the event.
A learner’s research paper which qualifies in the national level passed the scrutiny of skilled coaches and editors. He may have won in the local competition but if he wants to hit it big in the national level, he needs the wise coaching of a dedicated team.
As a school leader it is best to remember that to perform in the optimum level, we also need to have, and be in a team.
- Teamwork is not about you.
Getting talented people to work together is a big challenge to a leader. As I lead a big number of coordinators and heads of department which form the school’s management committee, sometimes it is difficult to come up with a consensus due to different personality and unchecked ego of the group. It takes a discerning leader to guide his group to think as a team, to accept the person as he is and to respect ideas and perspectives. It is important to make them understand that the success of the project depends on the individual efforts combined. Hence, in a team, a person must not seek his own good but the good of everyone and make decisions based on what’s best for the rest.
- Great teams create community.
The foundation of an effective team is based on trust. And trust is built with time. For several years that I am in a core group I realized that disagreement is unavoidable. Sometimes we get disappointed, hurt and betrayed, but we always try to work out our differences and seek forgiveness then reconcile. The thing that bind us is our commitment, faith in God and with each other and to remain focused on the purpose of the team.
MNCHS is a large school which means that activities, programs and events are big. For a major event such as graduation ceremony, it is expected that before, during and after the activity members of the team must hold several meetings to discuss the best possible way to execute the job well. Sometimes, close-door meetings are held to resolve conflict that arise, and for reconciliation. These situations build our trust and confidence with each other and formed a family-like relationship. When this scenario is present in the group it is an indication that relationship among members is growing and a sense of community exists. The next assignment for the team will be much easier to accomplish because of this bond.
- Adding value to others adds value to you.
The attitude of the team is to serve. Oftentimes people join in a team for personal gains, they want a supporting cast so that they can be the star. This should not be. Members should think less of themselves and more of the team. When we share something that we have, whether an idea that works or a skill we are adding value to the team’s effort and we also feel a good sense of worth.
Allow me to share this with you. During our preparation of Brigada Eskwela 2020 documents, the School BE Coordinator asked for a creation of a team that will help in putting together the portfolio. The deadline set to submit it is short and requires a committed team to work hard. The team worked even beyond office hours not minding the curfew imposed by the City LGU and IATF. Husbands would be seen bringing dinner- food to their wife who were working late in the school and sometimes help in the printing of documents. One night, a couple was flagged down by a police officer as they pass by the checkpoint area after curfew hours. The teacher-wife reasoned that she came from school doing overtime school reports and was fetched by her husband. Their reason was honored by the police officers much so because she was still wearing her uniform. In the succeeding nights, the police officers just wave them by in the checkpoint area. What a relief!
The school received the Best Implementing School Head and Coordinator Award during the 2020 BE awarding in Sorsogon City last March 2021. It is worthwhile to note that this recognition is the combined efforts of all the teaching and non-teaching personnel of MNCHS. It also includes the husbands of the teachers who supported them in this endeavor and the stakeholders who helped with donations of printing materials and equipment. This small act of kindness from teachers and stakeholders adds value to the school and in like manner the school regarded them as committed co-educators and friends of MNCHS.
As for me, it is my hope that these simple truths on teamwork may bring an inspiration to emerging leaders and those who dream to become one.