Trigger Question #60:
Imagine a young maiden standing at the edge of a cliff, her hands tied behind her back. Next to her is a tall, scary guy wearing makeup or a mask, or both. In a loud, booming voice, he cries out, “Take one for the team!” as he pushes her off the cliff. The watching crowd cheers as one. As a team.
The only part of the story that is not strictly historically correct is that the scary guy shouted. He did not need to shout, because he understood his power and knew how to wield it. And the bootlicking crowd believed he had the right to that power. When he said jump, they did. (Those who did not believe as expected or did not jump as commanded knew there were other jungles they had better go play in.)
When you use supposed morale boosting statements like “take one for the team”, then ask yourself why you use them. Could it be that you don’t really have the power you think you have? Or is it that you know what you are asking someone to do is out of the norm? Or not strictly part of the once-agreed-upon responsibilities?
IF you have the right team members, and IF they know what is required of them, and IF they believe in what the team is doing, and IF every member did his or her bit as and when required, BECAUSE you are always clear about your intentions as a leader, THEN you would not need to rely on silly team platitudes. Like “take one for the team.”
And if you often hide behind take-one-for-the-team cheerleading, your team will wonder if you simply don’t have the courage to do what everyone knows you should do yourself.
Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.
. . .