We recently completed another Habitat for Humanity Care-a-Vanner build in Marquette, located in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was our first opportunity to be team leaders, and ... Yah, Ya Betcha ... we were honored to work with a group of talented and enthusiastic volunteers who quickly became friends.
While driving to the worksite one morning, I noticed groups of Canadian geese flying to the south in perfect formation. Were they trying to tell us that we better join in as the frosty days of winter will soon be upon us?
Possibly, but their magnificent flight pattern and potential was also a reminder of the power of teamwork ... teamwork that was evident as I looked around our Habitat for Humanity job site.
Lesson 1 - The Importance of Achieving Goals
As each goose flaps its wings it creates an UPLIFT for the birds that follow. By flying in a 'V' formation the whole flock adds 71 percent extra potential to the flying range.
When we have a sense of community and focus, we create trust and can help each other to achieve our goals.
 |
| Elizabeth and Kenny and their four children will call this house their home this coming Thanksgiving as a result of the UPLIFT of all the talented Habitat volunteers! |
Lesson 2 - The Importance of Teamwork
When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds in front.
If we had as much sense as geese we would stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
 |
| Using my LIFTING POWER to help hold up the ceiling drywall panels as those taller than me secured them with screws. |
Lesson 3 - The Importance of Sharing
When a goose tires of flying up front it drops back into formation and another goose flies to the point position.
It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks. We should respect and protect each other's unique arrangement of skills, capabilities, talents and resources.
 |
| Doug and Richard shared their SKILLS as they worked together to measure and cut eight unique openings in this piece of ceiling drywall. |
 |
| Would it fit? Of course! Perfectly ... the first time! |
Lesson 4 - The Importance of Empathy and Understanding
When a goose gets sick, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to the ground to help and protect it.
If we have as much sense as geese we will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong.
 |
| When some Habitat families faced DIFFICULT times, we helped rehab two Habitat homes. |
 |
| From painting ... |
 |
| To tiling ... |
 |
| To cleaning ... |
 |
| To more cleaning ... |
 |
| Our team STOOD BY EACH OTHER to help prepare the houses for new owners. |
Lesson 5 - The Importance of Encouragement
Geese flying in formation 'HONK' to encourage those up front to keep up with their speed.
We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups and teams where there is encouragement, production is much greater. Individual empowerment results from quality honking!
 |
| HONK, HONK to Richard and Sharon for sharing their incredible drywalling skills! |
 |
| HONK, HONK to Jon B. and Carolyn W. for diligently working to get to ensure that the house siding was on straight! |
 |
| HONK, HONK to Karen and Alan who celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary working with us! |
 |
| HONK, HONK to Captain Pete who took our group out on a tour of Marquette Harbor aboard his elegant yacht, The Pelican. |
 |
| HONK, HONK to Vicki, Marquette's Habitat Support Manager, who treated us to a delicious pasty dinner on the lake and encouraged us on every day! |
 |
| HONK, HONK to Barbara and her husband Phil who cheerfully and skillfully took on any task that needed to be done! |
 |
| HONK, HONK to this group of aspiring artists who got "down and dirty" in order to apply a layer of stucco to protect the house's foundation |
 |
| HONK, HONK to Maria who as a safety trainer, made sure that we all did it "the safe way"! |
 |
| HONK, HONK to Marci who brightened up our days with her smile and stylish painting attire! |
 |
| HONK, HONK to our site supervisor, Doug, whose knowledge and patience was top notch! |
 |
| HONK, HONK to Rick and Paula for assisting with the team building by organizing "extracurricular" activities ... they like craft breweries almost as much as us! |
 |
| HONK, HONK to my wonderfully nerdy husband who devised a way to indirectly observe the solar eclipse ... using scraps of drywall! |
 |
| HONK, HONK to all the talented people who will make this house a home for Elizabeth, Kenny and family! |
Until next time ... Honk words of encouragement to all around you ... and enjoy the adventures in your life!
 |
| The Wildebeest joined us on the job site on our last work day before we started our southern migration. We are Following The Geese! |
No comments:
Post a Comment