TO READ A JOB DESCRIPTION, to interview, or to endure a corporate retreat is to encounter two words invoked with such reverence that you’d be forgiven for thinking they describe qualities as desirable as six-pack abs: “team player.” This dictum may not be the only valued trait in an employee, but try describing yourself otherwise and see how far beyond the handshake you get. Lately, however, the “team player” principle has presented dilemmas for Americans in and outside the workplace.
Take, for example, Penn State. E-mails reportedly came to light two weeks ago suggesting that former university officials knew more than they first admitted about Jerry Sandusky’s sexual abuse of children and chose to protect him and the university. While these men have been excoriated, their alleged actions can also be seen as those of solid team players: in short, a loyalty to the organization above all else.
Comments
Wow! Truer words were never spoken. A team player is usually a hack. Go along to get along, is sickening. We need some "rugged individuals" again. It is difficult to buck the statud quo but when (and if) vindicated - so rewarding. We need courage. We need to know the difference between right and wrong and call on it. These people are my HEROES.
Brendan, perfect.
Jonathan Haight's new book "The Righteous Mind" would suggest that valuing team cohesion started back in our early days; those in a group of loyal members were less likely to get eaten by wild animals, attacked by other groups, etc. It can be argued that the same holds true today. Unfortunately, cohesion can trump other concerns that broader society cares about, like respectful behavior. I agree with the author in that this type of behavior is everywhere in modern society.
Those who buck the system can be expected to lose their jobs and be tossed out of the system these days. Generally, even in better economic types, very very few people can tolerate respectful opposition, even mind Rambo-like bulldozing.