We didn’t grow up going on family vacations. Our summers were full of playing kickball in the backyard (ghostman on first!), cannonball contests at the neighbor’s pool, and playing outside from first light until the streetlights came on. While still fun and full of adventure, my siblings and I still always not-so-secretly wished for a family trip once school was out for the summer.
Now as adults, we try to take a yearly family vacation to the beach to make up for all the summers we never went to. Three families consisting of six adults and four kids living in a house together for an entire week, although TONS of fun, can also be quite challenging. Each family has its own routine when it comes to meals, bedtimes, downtime, etc., so flexibility, grace, and clear communication are key in establishing a symbiotic living arrangement.
These same guidelines can apply to our work relationships as well:
Flexibility: Not only do you want to establish yourself as a good teammate, but you also want to make sure that your contributions are helping to better the team as a whole. When working on a project, flexibility and the ability to pivot are essential. Your idea may be great but collaborating as a team may produce a better one!
Grace: We all have bad days. Sometimes you just wake up feeling “off” and every little thing seems to irritate you. Before you lash out at the other person with a hurtful response, remind yourself to show some grace, because we all have those “off” days. A little grace and compassion go a LONG way.
Communication: No one knows what you’re thinking until you speak up. It’d be great if we were all mind-readers, but until that day comes, practice using concise language to get your point across, and your opinion heard.
While on our beach vacation this past week, there were countless instances where I had the *pleasure* of practicing flexibility, extending some grace, and clearly communicating.
Was it easy each time? I’d be lying if I said yes.
Was it worth it for the betterment of the group? Absolutely.
I chose to lead by example, and now I have four really cute little followers.
Written by: Emily Henion, Search Consultant at Hunter Crown, LLC
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