I found myself this morning thinking about teams and teamwork.
I am not sure what set my old noggin in this direction. And I recognize that in light of our current political environment, teamwork seems like an incongruous reflection. But I have vowed that I will dedicate at least part of every day to try to think of topics other than the daily news cycle. (That treadmill will always be there when I return.) It’s not exactly the vow of a Zen master, but it’s my own attempt at more mental space. I will share those thoughts here and hope you do as well. So it’s on to reflections on poetry, nature, science, history, and art… and today thinking of teamwork.
Perhaps I am inspired by the stretch run of the NBA season, and watching not only great players, but great teams – the Warriors, Rockets, Raptors, Celtics, and others. There is crisp passing and selfless play. And I love it. Or perhaps it’s the knowledge that in Florida and Arizona, hope springs eternal in spring training. There are pitching drills and infield practice (do they still use fungo bats?)
My own modest sports team days are in the distant recesses of the last century, but I remember them well. High school and a stint on the college football squad. More than the moments of individual glory, I can picture the huddles, arms locked and looking into my teammate’s eyes. “We can do this.” “Let’s get this done, together.” (Expressions of hope and solidarity, albeit sometimes expressed with some more colorful language).
I remember all the teamwork required in my chosen profession. The huddles with producers, cameramen and women, editors, and (sometimes begrudgingly) news executives. Whether on a distant or dangerous shoot, or in the bowels of the old CBS headquarters in New York, or later my own production company, there were moments of tension to be sure but far more often there was the euphoria of a sense of common purpose.
And I take great pride in my grandson Martin Rather, who has coached a girl’s high school basketball team to success on the hard court. But even more inspiring is to see the life lessons these girls are learning. They are considering a future in college, and most would be the first in their family to attend an institute of higher education.
Team sports and even journalism is often about beating your competitors. But for me, the process was always more satisfying and important than the winning for me.
We are all at our best when we can work together. No one can live life and thrive alone. That goes for JV high school teams, for nations, and even our global community.
I want to feel like we are all on the same team. We may play different positions, have different strengths and weaknesses, come from different backgrounds with different experiences. But ultimately, we should be in the same huddle, looking into each other’s eyes and saying. “Darn it, let’s do this together.”