Team Work: Lessons from the Flight of Geese

A month delay in the data gathering of one advisee, as discussed in the previous post, has a domino effect on our overall schedule. Supposedly, the data gathered in December were scheduled for processing in January. Just the time another advisee filed her official leave from employment for data gathering. In this way, there would be focus in advising work.

However, due to previously cited voluntary involvement of a nun advisee, the two groups conducted data gathering simultaneously resulting to an overlap in the schedule of organization of data and processing. With the scrambled schedule, we were compelled to confront the pressures we wanted to avoid. More so, that another advisee was affected by the changes of schedule of the accreditation involving our own department.

Much as I wanted to keep my cool to ease the tension, there were times when I had to be realistic in assessing the situation. Especially, that I am still in the process of recuperating from critical illness which has dramatically changed my lifestyle.

While in the past, I could work effectively under pressures, I have learned to avoid such situation after my ailment. Previously, I loved doing homework; especially rush paper work until early morning. My mind had been conditioned to function well within that period. However, since my sickness, I have disciplined myself to sleep early with strict resolve not to bring home any school or office assignment. Conscious of health, I avoided any stressful activity that would trigger the recurrence of my illness. 

Faced with the dilemma vis-à-vis the aforementioned limitations, we braved the tough times with faith in God and team work. I encouraged them to share with one another the development of their work to challenge each other. Similarly, the under development to make each one aware that she is not alone in such situation. It is in this context that the lessons from the flying geese related to team work became relevant to both of us.

My first encounter with the flight of the geese concept was in 2004 when I participated in the Phil-Australia Short Term Course on Technology Training Program (PASTT) by Queensland University conducted in Makati City. Sponsored by the Caucus of Development (CODE) NGOs, the training was focused on Strategic Human Resource Management for NGOs. One of the resource persons presented a power point on the Fight of Geese and related the lessons to team work in the organization. Since then, I have been using the concept in my classes, trainings, seminars and other speaking engagements.

The flight of geese is summarized on this link. Five lessons can be gleaned from the story, as follows:

Foremost, sharing the same direction and working as a team get us to the destination quicker and easier. By helping ourselves, the accomplishment is greater.

Secondly, staying in tune and united beside those who are going in the same direction, the effort will be less. It will be easier and pleasing to reach the goals. Everyone will be inclined to accept and give help.

Thirdly, to share the leadership, there must be mutual respect all the times. Sharing involves even the hardest problem and tasks. It is also manifested in gathering of abilities, and combining our faculties, talents and resources.

The fourth lesson states: When there is courage and encouragement, the progress is greater. A timely word of encouragement always motivates, helps and strengthens. It produces the best benefits.

Finally, to stay beside each other no matter what the difference specially in times of difficulties and great challenges.

Applying the lessons in our experience made us overcome the difficulties. In the most critical times, they took over my classes so that I could work with their papers. Every one tried to encourage one another especially when some were tempted to give up. At one instance, when I reached my own limitation, our office secretary, Carol Kay, who is also an advisee reminded me of the good words of the Dean of the Graduate Studies for me. Her high regard and trust and confidence on me as far as writing and thesis advising is concerned served as impetus to stretch beyond my limits. In fact, I was able to conquer my fear when in two instances, I succeeded to stay overnight working on their paper to beat the deadline in the final stage. 

TEAM THAT WORKS. (L-R) Carol Kay Cortuna- Blando, the author,
 Araceli Tondo,  Sr. Aubrey Casimiro, and Kareen Jay Diesto,

Indeed, team work made us rise to meet challenges. We found ourselves tougher than the tough times we encountered.

Team Work

Yesterday’s 84th Commencement Exercises of  Central Philippine University marked the 10th year of the revival of  our Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program. It was in 2002 when we reactivated the program,  a couple of years after I finished my Master of Social Work from  the University of  the Philippines- Diliman. An adventurous attempt, considering the odds, with a  simple goal i.e. to have even just  one graduate. By this, we can  convince the  apathetic targets including those who shifted to other courses  that we mean business this time.

The goal was achieved   during  the University’s historic Centennial Year in 2005. Since then, we have produced 10 graduates including  this year’s biggest figure, so far. There are four of them who made it. But this is not the sole reason  that  makes the event very significant.  It is also because of the circumstances surrounding their graduation.

The author, flanked by Kareen Jay (L) and Carol Kay (R).
At extreme right is Carol's husband, Eleazar Blando

Of the four,  two are faculty of our Department of Social Work, CPU. They have been close to me being  my students during their undergraduate years;  colleagues when they joined the teaching force of the Department; partners in volunteerism and development endeavors.  As such, I have known their commitment and dedication in work.  In fact, their masteral studies was part of the Vision-Mission-Goal we formulated  during my stint as Department Head.  Unfortunately, when I left my position to serve as  director of the University Outreach Center, there was a lag  in their  studies. For whatever reasons,  their enthusiasm were seemingly quenched.

It was only when, by another circumstance,  I was appointed as officer-in-charge of the Department for  a year effective August last year that their studies were given a boost. Renewing  our relationship, we  committed to resume the interrupted partnership and  development agenda for the Department including their MSSW degree. Thereafter, I served as their thesis adviser  struggling with them  through thick and thin until they were conferred  with their hard earned degree yesterday.

The other two are personnel  of the Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus.  The bonding we have may not be comparable to the previous ones. Yet, it is also interesting and equally significant.  Adverse circumstances did not hinder their desire to finish studies according to their schedule. Even my serious sickness and subsequent health limitation could not withstand their earnestness  to complete the course.

The photographer may not know it,
but her shots represent the process
we have experienced as a team.
From gloom to bright, happy graduates
 deserve their smiles.
 Photo below (L-R) Kareen Jay Diesto,
Sr. Aubrey Casimiro,
Araceli Tondo, the author,
and Carol Kay Cortuna- Blando  

I can  still recall instances when we held  reportorial sessions at home because of my limited mobility. We used  the University  gazebo because  I could not make it to  the 3rd floor of the building  where the office and classrooms of  Graduate School are located. There was even a time we had classes under the acacia tree  near the Department of Social Work office which used to be  an alternate venue for classes. However,  with the change of management,  I  no longer had  access to the department during weekends. Instead, I was at the mercy  of part time faculty with review classes at the adjacent room who were fortunate than I was at that time to have a duplicate  key.

But  tougher  times  were just waiting ahead. These happened  during their thesis writing stage. I was designated as thesis adviser for  them both. Aware of my health limitation, we tried to organize  their respective  schedule, with emphasis on  team work,  to avoid overlapping that would put unnecessary pressures on us both.  Despite this, however, unavoidable  circumstances  forced  us to  face the challenge we wanted to escape.

The  devastating flash floods in Cagayan de Oro, triggered  by Tropical Storm Sendong  scrapped   the scheduled December leave of Sr. Aubrey Casimiro, DC for data gathering and processing. The pressing need compelled her to volunteer there  for about a month. Such situation, however,  was just a spark of   tougher times encountered by other advisees that made our schedule scramble.  Like the storm, they brought dark clouds that could have marred the glimmer of hope to finish, had it not been for the team work we have established. A lesson from the flight of  geese we learned in our classes.

(To be continued)