Stoicess’ Poem: Being a Team Leader

March 20, 2023

Stoicess’ Poem: Being a Team Leader

A team leader I thought I wanted to be,
so I accepted the post, stood tall in my shoes, as I unleashed from my soul a tremendous amount of glee.

A commander of all, it was destiny in my mind,
but needless to say, I did not know my thoughts were unaligned.

For I learned quickly, it was one of the most thankless jobs I’d been assigned,
a job with responsibility, accountability, but when considering power, the job was so misaligned.

I had no authority over those I was to lead,
the phrase “herding cats” was a better term for what I had been assigned, I must say indeed.

Because the tools to command that a manager would have at hand,
are not in store for a team leader as one would think had been planned.

So, even those with the best people skills can be brought to their knees,
when dealing with that one individual in the group who is not a team player – it will make your heart freeze.

They’ll challenge your authority as well as your ability to lead,
make statements to catch you off-guard, for it’s your “supposed” power they want you to cede.

And those actions you may take are being watched by a few,
those assigned by management to see if you can make it through.

For management has its own problems in dealing with such folk,
so they throw you in the pit to see if you can succeed or potentially become management’s scapegoat.

The tactics for fair play are no longer in the cards,
it’s time to deal with this person as they continue to throw their shards.

Your mind returns to a verse in Proverbs, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise”, as you think to yourself, “Is it really that simple in how I win this prize?”

So as with a child’s tantrum, a parent will ignore,
the antics of this person, you treat them as being a bore.

You separate them from the group and let them work alone,
a type of stand-in-the-corner until they can behave has been shown.

And once their demeanor changes and subservience they now demonstrate,
you bring them back into the team so all can now coordinate.

For in the end, it is not the power over another that you seek,
it’s the ability to get the job done quickly by keeping everyone on the same wavelength, so to speak.

And as the team disembarks once the mission is complete,
you tell yourself, “Don’t be so eager to be a leader, but remain instead until management needs a Hero ….. in the backseat”.

I’m Lori Stith, The Stoicess
Your Christian Life Coach
AND I believe in YOU!

If you like what you mentally, now see, join my website to learn and think like me at StoicMatchmaker.com.