Hard Lessons Thursday, June 01, 2006 |
Teddy bear in teacup.Canon Powershot S1Is. Shot with available light.
I am an individualist by nature. I can function independently, and do really well with little or no outside help. Well, most of the time anyway. Here I find my greatest strength is also my Achilles' heel.
I had to learn the hard way that I am "not an easy person to work with". That's a really nice euphemism for saying that someone is a real pain in the you-know-where. Not only that, I'm also told that "you're not a team player". It's really humbling when that 'title' comes by a unanimous vote cast by close friends. Ouch.
Before you draw any conclusions, allow me to qualify the previous paragraph. While I say I am an individualist by nature, I do not in any way advocate individualism. "No man is an island," as the cliche goes.
Some may find it hard to believe that I am able to function within a team. Yes, I am able to function well on my own. But I am only effective when working in a team. The ministries I am responsible for are all run by many different teams. I am an integral part of those teams, spending much of my waking hours in making sure these guys work together.
Okay, this all sounds so contradictory. On one hand he says he's a team player. On the other hand, others see him as not. He says he's an individualist and yet he depends on team work to be effective. Will the real Melvin Migin please stand up?
The final analysis: the problem lies at the personal level. I cannot work with just anyone. Let's face it, there are bound to be situations where it's just 'not happening'. My strengths may appeal to some, and yet may be repulsive to others. Some people love working with me, and some find my presence as appealing as chinese herbal medicine.
I'm sure I'm not the only one here who goes through this. It's part of life, part of God's ongoing 'Character Development Program'. For all that I have been through this week, I can only say that I'm thankful. Life is good, and Jesus has never failed me nor forsaken me.
Now I must go... and give some people a good dose of chinese herbal medicine (you know what I mean). ;o)