In many parts of India during an auspicious day in the year the idol of a Hindu God comes around the temple in a city in a big chariot pulled by the devotees. The chariot is pulled by hundreds of devotees. To move the chariot it requires effort from each and every one of those who pull the chariot. When everyone really puts the effort that he/she can, then the chariot starts to move and when the momentum picks up it becomes easier to pull. On the contrary if people just act as though they are pulling, then the effort doubles or triples up on those who really try to pull and they will burn out soon.

There is not much difference in the way a team executes a project with devotees pulling the chariot. It requires each and every person’s complete effort irrespective of what his/her area of involvement in the project to keep the project going. When someone does not do his/her part then the burden could fall on someone who already has his/her load of work. Why it happens? Because irrespective of someone putting effort or not, the project timelines have to be met. So as a team member the bare minimum requirement is to contribute ones effort to the maximum extent so that there is no additional load on other team members.

Have a great week.

This post is part of the Foundation Stone series.