Teamwork

Anyone that works in an organization that stresses the importance of teamwork should be able to confirm their aggravation when an individual, or individuals, don't contribute at the level that is expected - or at least the level of other team members. When there is work to be done and not nearly enough manpower to get all of that work done in the expected time frame, you're already working against the odds. But when team members are doing anything but working to achieve the set goals, what can be done other than trim that fat - or at least threaten to trim the fat. And will threatening do anything at all? Maybe the fat wants to be trimmed.

When everyone pulls their own weight, the moral of the troops tends to stay relatively high even if goals aren't met. All that counts is that everyone gives it their all (kind of). When the deliberate slacking is witnessed by fellow team members, it becomes nothing short of frustrating and even distracting to one's own duties. "Well if she doesn't get her work done, why should I?" This can relate to "If all of your friends jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge, would you do it to?" Most would say no, but there are of course some that would reply: "Well, yeah because I would have no friends left." I would make new ones.

I guess what I am trying to stress here is the importance of team work in a professional environment and the significance of bringing as much to the table as you can or at least as much as your fellow team members. So much more can be accomplished if all parts are equal.