Team Success
In the Spirit of Unity
Exploring the power of team camaraderie
Ever wondered what makes a team click like a well-oiled machine? It’s that magical elixir called camaraderie. And guess what? History is brimming with epic tales of teams whose camaraderie conquered mountains, seas, and everything in between. And if it worked for them, why wouldn’t it work for you?
Camaraderie is essential to team success.
Let’s have a look at where the word comes from. Originally, it derived from an Old Spanish word meaning “room mate.” We share an office room with our team mates today — so far, so good. By the 18th century, “comrade” in English expanded to refer not only to those sharing quarters but also to individuals who fought alongside each other, creating a strong bond through shared experiences, challenges, and victories.
In the 19th century, “camaraderie” came to encompass the sense of goodwill, rapport, and friendship among people who share common interests or experiences.
For me, the emphasis across the centuries is on “shared.” There has to be a perception that the struggles, goals and victories of the team are shared and that all contributed.
Cast your eyes back to the Apollo 11 mission for a quick example of teamwork shooting for the moon (literally!). As Neil Armstrong took his giant leap, he wasn’t alone. It was the combined camaraderie of astronauts, engineers, and ground control that transformed a dream into reality. Hard skills obviously mattered but so too did team spirit and the togetherness of the people — it’s a universal language and it will work in your office every bit as much as it did in NASA.
