People volunteered for these projects - sometimes as many as 700 over a 7-day period. My role was to create teams, and teams of teams, each chartered with a specific task on a very large project. Without fail, the process brought the best out in people - their skills and their attitudes - serving the higher purposes. I never worked with a bad person and was always part of an incredible team. Every project.
I've spent a number of years trying to re-create that experience. I sometimes catch glimpses of it but am unable to replicate in any consistent way. Without a higher purpose, you begin to notice a degree of individualism and entitlement that separates people rather than bring them together. Without the unifying theme, there is a dedication to the minimum standard rather than aspirations to achieve something great as a team.
This is not a judgement. I have begun to view this as a survival mechanism in our quasi-libertarian US political environment where our culture is training citizens to look out for themselves. Homage is paid to the system which can do no wrong. Everything is the fault of the individual - the myth of the rugged American individual. You're not making it? You're not trying hard enough.
And it's not everyone. I believe most people want something to believe in and to be part of a great team doing inspiring work. Our best work. On the other hand, it only takes a handful of people to sow the seeds of cynicism and work against the greater good. Especially in any system where the minority are protected.
Go team.
