Being on a team is a feeling

Recently we were having a discussion about being on a team.  That it is more than "Team A" or "Team B".  Mouthing or introducing X is on our team.  She/he glues us together is meaningless if you don't proceed to make that person feel part of a team.

Being on a team is a feeling. That you are part of something bigger.  If you proceed to say Sheila is alone this week even if X will be there also, than is X really part of this "team"?  I have heard individuals say oh I meant one of us isn't here.  That means Sheila is the only one on her team here as X doesn't factor into it.  Period. If you don't include X in conversations, as part of a body being present, than don't mouth they are part of your team to outsiders.  What they are is support people. Which is fine but say it like it is.

There is nothing wrong with support people - we need them. They do their job and yeah can be part of the glue to hold a "team" together.  But they are not part of the team is they don't feel it. If they are excluded from writing their names on cards, don't know who is off that day or covering.  Don't be a hypocrite and tell outsiders X is on your team. That says to X is that you want to look inclusive when you're not. That is is all about you looking like a "team player".  Say it like it is X is our support person we couldn't do without.

Being on a team is a feeling.  Don't mouth it and think it makes it so. Don't make introductions that are not true and belittle an individual. Say it like it is. If you can't make someone feel like they are on the team. Fine. But don't "mouth" it to others to look better than you are.

My rant.