How important is harmony within a team? Can we work together without it? Does it hold value?
In an article from Clifton StrengthsFinder they asked the question, What is Harmony?
The article stated, "You look for areas of agreement. In your view, there is little to be gained from conflict and friction, so you seek to hold them to a minimum. When you know that people around you hold differing views, you try to find common ground. You try to steer them away from confrontation and toward harmony. In fact, harmony is one of your guiding values. You can't quite believe how much time is wasted by people trying to impose their views on others. Wouldn't we all be more productive if we kept our opinions in check and instead looked for consensus and support? You believe we would, and you live by that belief" (galluup.com)
Of the 34 strengths listed in Clifton Strengthsfinder 2.0, Harmony is one of nine strengths within the Relationship Building domain denoted by the color blue. According to Gallup, the person whose strength is Relationship Building is the one who helps build strong relationships that hold a team together.
Ty Howard stated, "It's better to have a team in harmony, then a so-called team of individuals in chaos."
I'm a born and raised Kansas girl. Of course, we were raised on the Wizard of Oz. In fact, there is a small museum in Wamego, KS where you can walk the yellow brick road, view a set of the ruby slippers, and stand in the house that landed on the Witch of the East.
While growing up every time I told someone I was from Kansas they either called me Dorothy or asked me where Toto was. Sometimes they asked me where my ruby slippers were and would quote "there's no place like home...there's no place like home" as they clicked their heels together. I wouldn't call it annoying, just redundant.
In the photo above, I love this scene from the Wizard of Oz movie. They are following the yellow brick road to a destination unknown.
What I saw in this photo, besides Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, was total harmony. Their relationships started out rough, but in the end they found a common goal.
Each one on a separate journey with different goals, talents, and experiences, yet through an unusual circumstance they collided and became a team. Their combined outcome became finding the Wizard though he had different plans for them (but that's another blog).
According to Gallup, "When you know that the people around you hold differing views, you try to find the common ground. You try to steer them away from confrontation and toward harmony. In fact, harmony is one of your guiding values" [CliftonStrengths.com].
So the next time you are in a meeting and looking for consensus and support, visual the yellow brick road and those who journeyed down it together. Then sing with me..."We're off to see the Wizard...the wonderful Wizard of Oz..."
What She Said ~ Beverly
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