Being part of a team is important to us, not just because we like it, but because it is a necessity. There is no comparison between the things we can achieve as individuals and those achieved through collaboration and teamwork.
It is critical for an organization to have a team that works well. However, being a “good team member” making a quality contribution is not easy. To do that, we need to understand what it actually means to be part of a group, or even what the team and the organization itself represent. Each team member has their own role in a project with their own specific contribution to the common goal. The goal can only be achieved if the role of each individual in the process is addressed and defined. A puzzle is a perfect metaphor for this – with each puzzle piece representing a team member. A single piece of the puzzle is not worth much, but as a part of the whole picture it can fulfill its real purpose and create something bigger and more beautiful. Otherwise, the whole piece would not be complete. And that’s the point where you would say, “It’s okay, but something is missing.” Aside from that, putting together a piece of art as a group activity can promote patience, teamwork, and creative problem solving. This can improve performance, efficiency, as well as interpersonal relationships. You don’t have to travel to Drina or Hawaii to learn how to be a better team member or team leader, just take some time with your colleagues and put together a piece of art, piece by piece. (It can be harder than rafting, trust me).
