Connect, mid-month RAP: 8/17/22 ~ Teamwork revisited
Greetings and Happy Midweek!
And it’s just past mid-month, so it’s time for another of our RAP sessions (Review And Process, deeper and wider). Each RAP revisits a cross-cultural theme or topic from a previous Connect.
This month, we’re going to revisit teamwork which we first explored awhile back, when we focused on collaboration in the face of impossible odds.* This week, I’d like focus in on several team-empowering dynamics which neatly illustrate Applications, from our Global SKILLs PROACTive learning strategies.**
To get started, sit back and enjoy this 3 minute video. Watch the whole thing…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCOHfPyXAzc. Isn’t it wonderful - and inspiring?!
~ My first thought is that truck would have been left to rust in the ravine in many places in the world. Applying that to cross-cultural experiences, do we sometimes give up on something because for us, it’s just not worth the effort? Maybe sticking to it as we explore what it’s worth to our host community, or in some other cultural context, might lead us into more meaningful understanding and exchange?
~ My second thought was, “That already old, now bashed up, truck probably was an essential part of someone’s livelihood - clearly too valuable to give up on.” And, when people value something, they can do amazing things by working as a team - to rescue, or preserve it. Case in point…all the way up that long hill, across the ditches, resting when needed - they saved it!!
~ Then too, don’t you love how the rope pullers work - either together in the main column or ranging out on each side balancing the overall effort? Effective teamwork looks like that - some gather together, some branch out…but everyone coordinates and ‘pulls’ toward the same shared goal.
~ Finally, how about that group chant and yanking rhythm - almost like a dance! It clearly enhances their corporate energy and power. Evidence that teams can be strengthened by encouraging and supporting each member, as everyone pitches in doing their fair share.
I think this video could encourage and challenge any team anywhere - to be the best team ever!
How about you ~ what’s one cross-cultural teamwork insight this effort offers you?
Share about that with a friend or note it here.
And, instead of additional LINKs this week, I’d encourage you to watch the same video again - to see what other insights you can cull from it - or just savor their success. GO TEAM!!
Thanks for being part of this Connect community.
Until next week, Betsy
Notes:
* see my June 1, 2022 post for our first teamwork exploration
** PROACTive Learning Strategies: PRO = PROfile, PROcess, PROgram
ACT = Application (which we looked at today), Collaboration and Transformation
~ contact me for more information on these strategies and how you might use them in your current programming
2022 ~ Celebrating 40+ years of working in
intercultural communications and global community building
“It takes a community to build a community”
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