Team spirit

As the academic year kicks off and the rest of us reluctantly tuck our swim floaties (you know you have them) and beach towels away and return to the world of work, I thought we’d take a moment to dig into the archives for some tips on working well with others. Basic life skill? Yes. Easier said than done in the world of competitive achievers? Make that yes a double, please. 

Everyone says the New Year is when we start fresh, but you know as well as I do that September is really where beginnings abound. ‘Tis the season for new business school teams, changes of the guard in club and board leadership, and reorganizations in the corporate world. Chances are, this month has you looking around the conference table at some faces you aren’t used to seeing there. If change – especially in the form of lots of time with new people – isn’t your thing, have no fear. Mindfulness is here.

Dig into these for mindful solutions to some of the most common challenges in working with new teams. Here’s some targeted advice for what to do when:

• Starting from scratch is just too much.
• You literally just do not have the time.
• You start by listening for a second, but wind up thinking about your next Insta post instead.
• Other topics, like that thing you thought heard someone say the other day, seem much more pressing.
• They’re pushing you to take on tasks that you are firmly on your “not for me” list.
• You end up being the team’s resident rockstar, an as a result you are deep-fried DONE.
• They’re all amazing, world-saving geniuses who make you doubt your every decision in life so far.
• And finally, conversely, when they are all just the WORST.

If you’re not already breathing a little more steadily, then perhaps it’s time for a little meditation humor…and some more, then maaaaaybe just one more.

After all, what good is mindfulness if you can’t apply it to your every day life? And I hope for your sake that those days include as much laughter as possible.

“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” – Amy Poehler