SANCTUARY
  • Open Book
    • Featured Interviews >
      • ARCHIVES: 2023-2024 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2022 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2021 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2020 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2019 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2018 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2017 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2016 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
    • More Interviews >
      • Archives : Interviews 2022-2023
      • Archives: Interviews 2020-2021
      • ARCHIVES: Interviews 2019
      • ARCHIVES: Interviews 2018
      • ARCHIVES: Interviews 2017
      • ARCHIVES: Interviews 2016
    • Autism Awareness 2024 >
      • Autism Awareness 2023
      • Autism Awareness 2022
      • Autism Awareness 2021
      • Autism Awareness 2020
      • Autism Awareness 2019
      • Autism Awareness 2018
  • Blank Canvas
    • Featured Artists >
      • 2024 Featured Artist Updates
      • Featured Artists Archives: 2023-2024
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2022
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2021
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2020
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2019
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2018
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2017
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2016
    • Selected Works >
      • Art Times Library
    • CULTURE CRAWL >
      • Archives: Culture Crawl
    • 2024 Focus on Youth >
      • 2023 Focus on Youth
      • 2022 Focus on Youth
      • 2021 Focus on Youth
      • 2020 Focus on Youth
      • 2019 Focus on Youth
      • 2018 Focus on Youth
      • 2017 Focus on Youth
      • 2016 Focus on Youth
    • 2024 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives >
      • 2023 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2022 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2021 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2020 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2019 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2018 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2017 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
  • Body & Spirit
    • HEALTHY BODY >
      • Archives: Healthy Body
    • HEALTHY MIND >
      • Archives: Healthy Mind
    • Nutrition & Exercise >
      • LAURA'S CORNER TABLE
      • Archives: Nutrition & Exercise
    • Personal Safety >
      • Archives: Personal Safety
    • ALTERNATIVE THERAPY >
      • Archives: Alternative Therapy
    • NAVIGATING RELATIONSHIPS >
      • Archives: Navigating Relationships
  • INSPIRED LIFE
    • TRAVEL JOURNAL >
      • ARCHIVES: TRAVEL JOURNAL
    • YOUR MONEY & BUSINESS >
      • ARCHIVES: MONEY & BUSINESS
    • CAREER JOURNEY >
      • Archives: CAREER JOURNEY
    • SMART STEPS >
      • ARCHIVES: Smart Steps
    • TRAILBLAZERS >
      • ARCHIVES: Trailblazers
  • GUEST ROOM
    • Community Compass >
      • Annual Community Project
      • Reader Ramble
      • TEAM TALK
      • SPONSOR CORNER
    • ASK AN EXPERT >
      • ARCHIVES: ASK AN EXPERT
    • KINDNESS & KARMA ARCHIVES
    • We Hear You >
      • Celebrated Readers
      • TALKBACK
    • Book Giveaway 2024 >
      • Book Giveaway 2024 Winners' Circle
      • Book Giveaway 2023 Winners' Circle
      • Book Giveaway 2022 Winners' Circle
      • Book Giveaway 2021 Winners' Circle
      • Book Giveaway 2020 Winners' Circle
    • Submit Your Work
    • Surveys
  • Advertise
    • Media Kit
    • Sponsor Ad Packages
    • Meet Our Sponsors
    • Events-Services-Specials
    • Sanctuary Events
    • Coffee & Conversation
  • About
    • Myrna's Musings
    • Our Team
    • Support Us
    • CONTACT US
  • Store
Your Money & Business

Who’s Going to Carry the Boat?
September 2023

Picture
By Dr. Jenipher D. Cornelius
We have all heard the term, "There is no I in team." While that is accurate, I would disagree with the sentiment in general. The Navy Seals have a saying, "Who's going to carry the boat?" This statement is about each individual being part of the team and needing to carry their weight for the team to succeed. The saying is about not letting your team down because you care so much about the team's success that you are willing to dig deeper when you are running out of steam. If you need assistance or help, your team is there to support you as well because they are asking themselves the same question, "Who's going to carry the boat?" Being part of a team requires individual commitment and, sometimes, even sacrifice.
 
In the business world, team player often refers to an individual's ability and willingness to work collaboratively and effectively with others in a group setting. Group and team settings require a range of qualities, behaviors, and attitudes that contribute to the overall success of the department and, ultimately, the organization.
 
The following are some of the most critical attributes of a team player:
 
Communication skills: Team players are effective communicators if they are open to one another, are active listeners, ask for clarification when needed, and share relevant information and insights that can have a positive impact on the team's goals.
 
Actively collaborate: Team players share skills and expertise with others regularly. They view the team's success as their success and value contributions from everyone. They know there is extreme value in diverse perspectives. With collaboration also comes respect.
 
Respect: Good team players respect differing opinions and allow open forums to discuss the best options to move forward. They do not criticize others. They ask clarifying questions to get on the same page when needed. Respecting everyone on the team by offering empathy and consideration will help the group and the organization as a whole.
 
Flexibility: Being rigid in your ways will only hinder the team. Being open-minded, having a growth mindset, and adjusting your approach are key traits of being a good team player. Flexibility also includes stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things to move the team forward. This isn't to say you need to try to sit with a different group in the lunchroom. It's more about being open to new ways of thinking, brainstorming, and taking on additional roles or work when needed.
 
Supportive: Teamwork is about supporting, elevating, and motivating those around you. Offering support is a clear indication of your commitment to the team. You are consistently lifting each other up, rather than trying to outshine one another. 
​Shared Credit: On a team, credit is shared for tasks, projects, and jobs well done. Celebrating each other's achievements and successes helps build strong teams. There is a certain level of humility required on a team. Individuals do not seek out personal recognition; they understand that the successes achieved are genuinely a shared effort. To get to a place of shared credit, team members must also be reliable and have a positive attitude.
 
Dependability: Being dependable shows your teammates that you are dedicated to their success as well as your own. Continuing to show up with a positive attitude is contagious. It can really inspire others or help them out of a rut.
"Being dependable shows your teammates that you are dedicated to their success as well as your own."  ~ J.D.C.
​Ask yourself these questions: “Who does my calendar say I am working for, myself or my team? Am I mentoring anyone? Can I be? How am I showing up?” This will really help you understand what kind of team member you are at the moment. Reflect on these questions and make adjustments if necessary.
 
  1. What does your calendar say? Look at the meetings and the work you have blocked out. Who does it serve the most? You or others? If the work you have blocked out is primarily self-serving, it may be time to course correct and start planning how you can help those around you more. What can you start doing today to help your team achieve greater success?
  2. Are you mentoring others? You may think this is not your job, that it's a leader's role to be a mentor. Think again. Team players mentor each other all the time. If you are a subject matter expert (SME) in one area, it would be highly beneficial to mentor anyone on the team interested in your area of expertise. This helps the team grow its experts, which in turn helps the organization even more.
  3. How do you show up? When you come to work, do you bring positive energy, or are you looking to unload your burdens? When you keep a positive attitude, it helps others stay positive as well. You have an opportunity to turn negative situations into learning opportunities for others.
 
Being a team player is about commitment. The commitment is not just about the job, role, or task you are assigned to. It's a much deeper commitment. It's about showing up, being fully present and actively engaged, and continuously providing input to help the team progress. It takes a great deal of "individual" commitment. That individual commitment is not for oneself; it's for the team. After all, who's going to carry the boat?

Picture
Picture
Picture
Dr. Jenipher D. Cornelius is an expert in organizational change management, leadership development consulting, adjunct professorship, and curriculum development. With a doctorate in strategic leadership and a master's in business administration, Jenipher has over 20 years of experience in finance and operations and is a reliable authority in leading organizations through significant changes. In addition to her change management experience, Jenipher also specializes in facilitating virtual and in-person leadership development workshops.

​NEWS...

May Themes:
Motherhood/Grandmotherhood
Collaboration


Next Community Compass/Corresponding E-newsletter publishes:
Mid-June
​
Coffee & Conversation Play List


Next Coffee & Conversation Show (May):
"Imposter Syndrome"
Picture
SEND YOUR SUGGESTIONS:
Let us know what you would like
to see and read about in SANCTUARY.
[email protected]
MERCH STORE
Picture
Support Us
Please LIKE us and FOLLOW us!
USE:
#WheresYourSanctuary
SEND US A GOOGLE REVIEW!

© 2025 Sanctuary Online, LLC
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
​Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily the opinion of this publication.
  • Open Book
    • Featured Interviews >
      • ARCHIVES: 2023-2024 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2022 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2021 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2020 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2019 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2018 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2017 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
      • ARCHIVES: 2016 FEATURED INTERVIEWS
    • More Interviews >
      • Archives : Interviews 2022-2023
      • Archives: Interviews 2020-2021
      • ARCHIVES: Interviews 2019
      • ARCHIVES: Interviews 2018
      • ARCHIVES: Interviews 2017
      • ARCHIVES: Interviews 2016
    • Autism Awareness 2024 >
      • Autism Awareness 2023
      • Autism Awareness 2022
      • Autism Awareness 2021
      • Autism Awareness 2020
      • Autism Awareness 2019
      • Autism Awareness 2018
  • Blank Canvas
    • Featured Artists >
      • 2024 Featured Artist Updates
      • Featured Artists Archives: 2023-2024
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2022
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2021
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2020
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2019
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2018
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2017
      • Featured Artist Archives: 2016
    • Selected Works >
      • Art Times Library
    • CULTURE CRAWL >
      • Archives: Culture Crawl
    • 2024 Focus on Youth >
      • 2023 Focus on Youth
      • 2022 Focus on Youth
      • 2021 Focus on Youth
      • 2020 Focus on Youth
      • 2019 Focus on Youth
      • 2018 Focus on Youth
      • 2017 Focus on Youth
      • 2016 Focus on Youth
    • 2024 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives >
      • 2023 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2022 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2021 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2020 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2019 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2018 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
      • 2017 Celebrating the Men in Our Lives
  • Body & Spirit
    • HEALTHY BODY >
      • Archives: Healthy Body
    • HEALTHY MIND >
      • Archives: Healthy Mind
    • Nutrition & Exercise >
      • LAURA'S CORNER TABLE
      • Archives: Nutrition & Exercise
    • Personal Safety >
      • Archives: Personal Safety
    • ALTERNATIVE THERAPY >
      • Archives: Alternative Therapy
    • NAVIGATING RELATIONSHIPS >
      • Archives: Navigating Relationships
  • INSPIRED LIFE
    • TRAVEL JOURNAL >
      • ARCHIVES: TRAVEL JOURNAL
    • YOUR MONEY & BUSINESS >
      • ARCHIVES: MONEY & BUSINESS
    • CAREER JOURNEY >
      • Archives: CAREER JOURNEY
    • SMART STEPS >
      • ARCHIVES: Smart Steps
    • TRAILBLAZERS >
      • ARCHIVES: Trailblazers
  • GUEST ROOM
    • Community Compass >
      • Annual Community Project
      • Reader Ramble
      • TEAM TALK
      • SPONSOR CORNER
    • ASK AN EXPERT >
      • ARCHIVES: ASK AN EXPERT
    • KINDNESS & KARMA ARCHIVES
    • We Hear You >
      • Celebrated Readers
      • TALKBACK
    • Book Giveaway 2024 >
      • Book Giveaway 2024 Winners' Circle
      • Book Giveaway 2023 Winners' Circle
      • Book Giveaway 2022 Winners' Circle
      • Book Giveaway 2021 Winners' Circle
      • Book Giveaway 2020 Winners' Circle
    • Submit Your Work
    • Surveys
  • Advertise
    • Media Kit
    • Sponsor Ad Packages
    • Meet Our Sponsors
    • Events-Services-Specials
    • Sanctuary Events
    • Coffee & Conversation
  • About
    • Myrna's Musings
    • Our Team
    • Support Us
    • CONTACT US
  • Store