What's in a pronoun? Or, building a 'we' office

Jun 27, 2010

Editor's note: The Coaches Corner column appears regularly on the DrBicuspid.com advice and opinion page, Second Opinion.

Team building is in vogue. You have probably heard or seen management consultants as they enter the team-building part of their program. They typically comment that there is no "I" in the word "team."

You think for a minute, scratch your head, and think, "I got it, there is no I in the word team, and that means ... what?"

It means that in any organization a balance is needed between the mission, vision, and goals of the individuals who comprise it and the mission, vision, and goals of the organization itself. It is way beyond the scope of this short coaching piece to talk about what makes individuals tick. But we do know what makes organizations thrive, and that is where the pronouns become important.

"We" organizations are not made up of people without egos -- everyone has an ego. Rather, these are organizations in which individual achievements are seen and rewarded when they serve the needs of the larger collective. For that to happen, we need to have structures that develop that collective sense. The prerequisites are:

Mutual freedom of expression
Mutual trust
Mutual respect

I believe that staff meetings based on the idea that there is no rank and no privilege are the only way to build an organizational identity that truly embodies the "we" identity. They are the only way that true collaboration can take place.

I have described methods to achieve this on my website. Please read this along with its companion piece, my most recent coaching article on Dr. Bicuspid.com: "Whom do you serve?"

I have built my practice on the bridge between "I" and "we," and I invite you along on the rewarding journey!

Alan Goldstein, D.M.D., F A.C.D., is a member of the Dental Coaches Association, an organization of dentists and professional coaches who are committed to bringing professional coaching to the dental profession. Learn more by visiting www.dentalcoachesassociation.org.

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