Are You a Lone Ranger?

Before coming to work at Stellar Enterprise I had owned a small business. I often worked alone and did not have a lot of experience working in groups. Of course working here I have learned the power and huge advantages of team work. Really and truly I tell you that a team can accomplish so much more than a Lone Ranger.

Even in nature you can see the power of team work. I have recently purchased the Planet Earth DVD Set and saw a pack of lions who normally hunt smaller prey in smaller prides take down an elephant with a huge group. That is not normal. It is so amazing but they knew that extraordinary feat was necessary for them all to survive in their current condition.

As markets change each company must decide what their target market is. What product or service will support their costs of doing business best and which groups of people working together are the right fit for each department.

The residential real estate market has been impacted dramatically and most loan officers and real estate agents should be asking themselves "Where is a similar market that can sustain my current income needs"? Is is leasing, property management, REO services or commercial real estate a new revenue stream we can consider?

The You Are a CEO program teaches CEO's, entrepreneurs and business professionals how to ask the right questions and that is exactly what a successful CEO needs to constantly consider. We have been taught by Mr. Parker that the CEO must set the direction of the company and with out the proper leadership the team can wander individually and lose the unity and power of the team.

Here recently we added two new team members to one of our subsidiaries. I saw the two new team members on their first day getting settled. As the day progressed I saw them fitting in and finding their places. I could have been worried how they would impact us but what I saw instead was the benefits their presence brought.

They had worked together at their former company and they were already united so I watched as they worked together accomplishing what they saw was needed around the office. I think their unity made the transition easier to unify with others.

At the end of the day I was impressed. They had significantly contributed to the group with their improvements. Many of the other team members, one by one, were praising them for their work and appreciating their work. We were all so glad they were here and had the heart to help. This was what I call value-added. They added to us and this benefited the customers internal and external.

This reaction does not happen in every company. The culture we are taught at Stellar teaches us to work together and it does not allow company jealousy or division among the team members.

So my admonishment to all the Lone Rangers working out there is why don't you consider becoming a a team player. For when you are willing to work with a team you can bring down extraordinary success impossible alone. Yes, you still work individually on your part but hook into others when needed!

As for me - oh, yes, my Lone Ranger days are gone. I've changed my spots for good. I have learned that when facing elephants I like the power, safety and security of a large, strong team that has diverse skills. I have learned our survival may depend on the strengths of others and what they may bring down could feed me.