One of the most important roles of a leader is building and fostering relationships with colleagues and within work groups and teams. The below story provides a little insight into the importance of being the bridge builder:

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in many years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed for mutual benefit. Then, one day things fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on the older brother’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox. “I’m looking for a few days work,” said the man.

“Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?”

“Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor, in fact, it’s my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll do him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence – an 8-foot fence – so I won’t need to see his place anymore.”

The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.”

The older brother bought the necessary supplies and then went off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

At sunset, when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer’s eyes opened wide and his jaw dropped open.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge… a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all – and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

“You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.”

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other’s hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. “No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother.

“I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, “but, I have many more bridges to build.”

Woten (2014) notes the following as keys to building strong teams – we  will explore each key point in detail in the coming week’s posts,  they are: 1) Fostering high levels of trust and support 2) Establishing/ emphasizing clarity of Purpose and Goals 3) Instilling a sense of identity, commitment and respect 4) Facilitating clear and open communication and 5) Encouraging creativity, innovation, diversity, focus and discipline.

Stay tuned!!!

References:

Woten, M. B. (2014). Team Building in Nursing Care: Implementing. CINAHL Nursing Guide.