Remembrance: A Tribute to Service, Duty, and the Lessons of Teamwork

Remembrance Sunday is a solemn occasion observed in many countries around the world to honour the sacrifices of those who served in the armed forces and to remember the fallen heroes who gave their lives for the greater good.  It serves as a poignant reminder of the selfless service and unwavering duty exhibited by the brave men and women who have served in the military. Whether in times of conflict or peace, these individuals put their lives on the line to protect their nations and their fellow citizens.  As a sibling of a serving soldier and former Army wife, I know first-hand that this sense of duty extends beyond themselves, embodying a commitment to a cause greater than any personal interest.

Remembrance Sunday has perhaps never been more important given current world events. This day not only underscores the importance of service and duty but also provides valuable lessons on teamwork and commitment, and so, I want to think about how Remembrance Sunday's themes of service and duty are linked to Patrick Lencioni's third Dysfunction of a Team: Lack of Commitment.

In his book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team," Patrick Lencioni identifies lack of commitment as one of the primary obstacles to effective teamwork. This dysfunction occurs when team members are not fully committed to the team's goals or decisions, resulting in ambiguity, hesitation, and a lack of confidence in their actions.  At first glance, it may seem that service and lack of commitment are at odds. However, when we delve deeper, we can see that Remembrance Sunday teaches us important lessons about commitment in the context of service and duty. Just as soldiers commit themselves to their mission and their comrades, effective teams require commitment to a shared goal.

In both service and teamwork, personal sacrifice is often required. Soldiers sacrifice their safety, time with loved ones, and sometimes even their lives. Effective teams demand a degree of sacrifice, too, in terms of individual preferences or priorities.  Also, military personnel are unwaveringly committed to their mission. They understand the importance of their roles and stay committed to achieving the objectives. In teamwork, commitment involves staying focused on the collective goals of the team rather than individual aspirations. 

So, what stops us from committing to the goals we set ourselves and our teams?  And what lessons can be drawn from Remembrance Sunday for Building Commitment in Teams? 

Firstly, our teams must have clear goals.  Just as the military has well-defined missions, teams should establish clear, actionable goals. A shared purpose provides team members with a reason to commit and strive towards a common objective.  Then we must have effective communication.  Open and honest communication is vital for building commitment. In the military, miscommunication can have life-threatening consequences. In teams, misunderstandings can lead to missed opportunities and decreased commitment.  According to Nancy Kline, individuals need to feel heard, and for the arguments to connect to their future identity (or goals) in order to really connect to take action.  Thirdly (though arguably most importantly) we must build trust.  Soldiers must trust their comrades with their lives. Team members should similarly trust each other's commitment and competence. Trust is the foundation of strong commitment.  And finally, we must celebrate successes.  In the military, victories, no matter how small, are celebrated. Teams should also recognize and celebrate their achievements to bolster commitment and morale.

Remembrance Sunday reminds us of the profound sacrifices made by those who served their countries with unwavering commitment and duty. The lessons of service and duty that we commemorate on this day are closely related to Patrick Lencioni's principles of teamwork, as highlighted by overcoming the third dysfunction by building commitment. By applying these principles in our own teams, we can strive to create environments where commitment thrives, leading to greater success and achievement of shared goals. As we remember the service and duty of our fallen heroes, let us also honour their commitment to a cause greater than themselves, and strive to embody that commitment in our own collaborative work.

Reflections:

How clear are your /your team’s goals?  Could you make them even clearer to aid team ‘buy-in’ or commitment to team decisions?

How open and honest is your communication as a team?  Does everyone feel ‘heard’ – a prerequisite to getting commitment?

How do you continually build trust with your team?