Life in a Team
“No man is an island,” and even an online program such as the EMPSA lends itself to teamwork. Many of the students learned which professionals shared similar work ethics rather quickly and gravitated to each other for group projects. Respect and professionalism were key traits I looked for in team members.
Respect
The underlying trait of mutual respect caused the team I was on in the Spring of 2021 to function the absolute best. Everyone brings value to the table in a group, and recognizing that value is the foundation for a working relationship built on respect. This particular team took the time to identify the skills, traits, and strengths each member had to offer. We worked to allow each member the opportunity to use those characteristics in ways that benefited the whole team. We respected each other by being willing to listen to one another, bringing value to the work being done.
Professionalism
Full-time working executives should display genuine professionalism in their interactions with teammates. At this point in our careers, we understand that personal life is vying for attention just as much as school life is, so professional traits such as communication, collaboration, integrity, and timeliness are crucial for a well working team. The team during the Spring of 2021 was one in which we upheld deadlines, made time to effectively communicate ideas and needs, arrived on time to calls, and did exactly what we said we were going to do. One team member, an assistant chief of a fire department, took time during a break on a four alarm fire to call us quickly to apologize for being late to our meeting. Our response was to be safe and take care of that fire, but we still appreciated the professionalism he demonstrated.
Conclusion
Whether in the workplace, among friends, or serving the community, choosing to treat others with respect and professionalism will create a culture of success. These traits bring out the best in others by providing a comfortable environment to work hard, try new things, and expand knowledge.