As many regular Teammate Tuesdays readers are aware, I live in Florida—a place synonymous with hurricanes.
The Atlantic hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30, meaning Floridians have recently passed the season’s peak point. This year, the season has been relatively calm, with no significant tropical storms making landfall thus far.
I know hurricane season is far from over. (Only last year, Hurricane Milton, the most intense hurricane ever recorded over the Gulf of Mexico, hit Florida in mid-October.) Yet I find myself to be much calmer than in years past.
The source of my calmness? Preparedness.
I’ve already stocked up on water and nonperishable food. I’ve got back up power sources ready to go. I’ve tested all my flashlights and loaded them with fresh batteries. I’ve assembled my emergency first aid kit. I even purchased tarps and various clean up supplies in case of any post-storm damage.
By being prepared, I don’t have to worry about rushing out to the store, dealing with empty shelves, or jockeying with other panicked shoppers trying to beat the storm’s impending arrival.
Preparedness is an effective approach for managing the challenges associated with hurricane season because preparedness leads to calmness and a sense of inner peace.
Being prepared doesn’t eliminate the storm, but it does allow me to eliminate the stress that accompanies being unprepared. It also mitigates the anxiety of uncertainty and lowers the risk of panic, which can cloud judgment and lead to further stress.
For those reasons, preparedness is a good teammate attribute.
Alexander Graham Bell famously said: “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” These simple yet profound words hold true to many aspects of life, including the art of being a good teammate.
A well-prepared teammate arrives with ideas, resources, and skills in hand, reducing downtime and preventing bottlenecks. By anticipating their team’s needs and equipping themselves with the necessary knowledge to contribute, they keep their teams from scrambling for last-minute solutions.
A well-prepared teammate also arrives ready to adapt. By foreseeing potential issues, they save time and resources. Their proactivity allows them to pivot quickly, minimizing disruptions and inspiring others to do the same.
Preparedness is an effective approach for managing the challenges associated with teamwork because preparedness leads to trust. We tend to trust those who are reliable, adaptable, and ready.
Are you prepared for whatever impending “storms” await your team? If hurricane preparedness can save lives, teammate preparedness can save teams.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.
