Week Six - Lessons in Teamwork - WOOHOO!

I was afraid last week was going to slip by with nary a WOOHOO!  It’s not that it was a bad week, just an uneventful one.  I did get to walk through my professional past one evening when I attended a retirement party for a very special lady.  I worked with her for many years, and have always been in awe of her ability to separate herself from the politics of the Corporation and view her job as simply a means of taking care of her financial needs. I admire her.  We also shared the same gynecologist. This wouldn’t seem like a significant thing,  but it was cause for much laughter between us. Every now and then, when we would go for our respective appointments, he would mix the two of us up... always when we were in his office, in stirrups.   Sure, we are both blond and short, but beyond that...well,  I never had the nerve to ask him what similarities he saw!  We enjoyed a few good giggles about that through the years. When I heard the news she was to retire, I was delighted to be invited to her little party to herald in her next exciting journey.   I’ve not worked for this company for about 14 years, so it was also nice to visit with a few folks I hadn’t seen in awhile.  It was not so nice when dinner table conversation shifted towards, rumors, gossip, backbiting, and old stories.  I felt myself falling into the trap of engaging in it too. I didn’t like how quickly I switched on the old “game-play” face of years gone by. It felt icky to be a part of it and was a reminder of times that weren’t always all that authentic for me.  I smiled a lot back then, ate a ton of words, and grin and bore more than I should have.  Living in fear instead of faith will do that to you.  

When I got home, I tried to recall a time in my tenure with this company where I felt like people were working together to really make a difference. Everyone claimed it was the same everywhere, this was  just the way of Corporate America....character assassination and individual agendas were merely a section in the operating manual.  The only teamwork seemed to be clusters that formed to come up with a strategic plan to get rid of your competition, not in the field, but amongst your co-workers.  My observation is in no way a judgement of how everyone conducted their professional life.  I know there were some who didn’t engage in that kind of foreplay. My retiring friend was a great example. I wondered how much better things could have been if everyone had decided to work together for a common good. 


 I thought, surely this isn't the best it gets for a WooHoo of the week? I enjoyed my friend, and rejoiced with her... sure, but.....

And, then, my sweet little middle granddaughter Sydney, called me and left a cryptic message about needing to talk to me. She had something important to discuss.  “So, please call me back, “she begged and ended by saying, “ I love you so, so, much Mimi.”  Hmmm.... was she in trouble with mom and dad?  Was she trying to avoid homework or room cleaning?  Third grade boy problems?  I called her back.  She wanted to bake and make something special for her mommy and daddy for Valentine’s Day.  Now, everyone knows I am not a baker.  I can cook, but keep me away from the cookie sheets, and cake pans.  Sydney, on the other hand is quite the little kitchen goddess and has baked with her beloved great-grandma since she was about 4. It has been a very special thing they’ve shared through the years.  Setting my fear of failure aside, I said yes, and we baked.  She did all the measuring, mixing, and pouring.  She dictated the amount of time our treats needed to be in the oven. I did as I was told, knowing she had a touch I don’t possess. Teamwork.   When our brownies were fully baked and cooled, we cut them in the shape of hearts.  Then, she let me take over, in an area I am better at, creativity. I iced them with creamy white frosting. She directed the tray arrangement of our perfect little hearts and had me write (in red frosting)  HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY on each one.  We edged them with more red frosting and she then added the final touches, red and pink sugar sprinkles on each one. Perfection we decided!   I squeezed little red icing flowers onto her fingers making her giggle as she licked them off.  As I was cleaning up the kitchen, she wrote these words on a piece of left over wax paper, (in red icing, of course) Thank you, Mimi.  I love you.  

After she left, I thought about our little task and how things got accomplished so well, by working together, recognizing our strengths and weaknesses and performing those functions that were suited to our skill set.  I decided while it was nice to visit my professional past, I don’t fit into those competitive environments anymore. The price tag for success purchased through harming others is way too high.  I like the concept of teamwork.... and kindness... and service to others (including our coworkers).  I like the idea of being authentic and saying what I mean, and meaning what I say.  I like being appreciated for my unique talent and contributions. I like hanging with people who respect and honor that. It feels good to not have to look over my shoulder all the time to watch out for those flying knives. And that crick in my neck has gone away by facing forward towards a beautiful future for these past years.  I may have a lot less cash, but I have riches that can’t be bought.  When I lay my head on my pillow at night, my conscience is clear.  I know I've done my best, acted in integrity and made a contribution towards the GREATER good for that day.  Any regrets about my professional past, even that phenomenal retirement plan,  went away this past week. 

This was all revealed in a Valentine brownie making session with an eight year old! I love working, but it makes me happy when its in a setting of like minded people who treat one another fairly and kindly. I've been blessed to have worked in places like this, since my departure, and it just brings out the better me.  If I could, I would write across the sky - WOOHOO for those changes that contribute to our ongoing growth toward being better human beings!  (in red icing of course)....... XOXOXOXO

P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day my little  Sydie girl!  Week Six Woohoo arrives a little behind schedule.   I couldn’t post this until Valentine’s Day!   We didn’t want mommy and daddy to not be surprised!