Get along with your coworkers. You’ll be more productive.
In Korea, a new school year starts in March. Since three months ago, I’ve been preparing classes to teach. Our team meets once a week to make the content of the class concrete and create a unique class for elementary school kids. Students will learn meditation to get rid of the anxiety and trauma caused by the Corona pandemic.
I am part of a team of four fellow teachers who plan this course. Each teacher has a different career and life experience. It is this that helps us become more productive.
The incident occurred during a meeting last Friday. Upon entering the meeting, the oldest of the four teachers said this.
“Everyone, it appears my abilities have reached this point. Preparing for the class, I realized that I lacked this ability.”
I understand this teacher’s heart well enough. Despite our best efforts, don’t we all have times when things don’t work out? As this teacher said, the more I work, the more I realize I lack ability. Then another teacher comforted us.
“Nope. Each of us may have to combine our skills one by one. We can’t do this alone, so we’re doing it together.”
We all nodded vigorously for a moment.
We then freely and honestly shared our opinions at the meeting that day and complimented one another’s shortcomings. And after planning and making a class for one week, we decided to meet again next week.
After the meeting, I reflected.
Teacher A: A logician and a detail-oriented teacher.
Teacher B: Has a warm heart and has a good understanding of students’ psychology.
Teacher C: She’s not a big talker, but she puts a lot of effort into the class materials. When our team’s opinion gets lost, she makes a cool decision.
And I help the meeting to end efficiently. Occasionally, I suggest brilliant ideas.
I found out through this project. You cannot do great things on your own. In other words, there are only results when diverse people come together, put their heads together and conduct intense research. None of us are insignificant. All four members have different strengths and abilities. I can’t do much. As I was incapable, I had no choice but to listen to my fellow teachers. I am grateful to my colleagues for filling in my shortcomings.
