There is bliss in unison

When teamwork flows, there are moments of absolute bliss. That feeling of unison, when everyone is doing what needs to be done and the whole thing works, is something quite marvellous.

Dave had three simple rules for teamwork. First, everyone must know what tasks they are responsible for, when to do them, and how to do them. Second, you focus on your own work and resist the temptation to “fix” someone else’s way of doing things. And third, if someone asks you for help, you help them. No conditions, no fine print.

In the past week, I have seen those rules in action on board, often under harsh conditions. Late at night, with physically gruelling work underway, the crew still move with a certain harmony. The other day, I passed three crew members working on a welding job. One person was welding, while the other two were assisting. Then a crackle came through on one man’s radio. Without a word, he nodded to one of the others, who instantly stepped into his role, covering both tasks while the first man went off to do what the officer had asked: no fuss, no complaint, no delay.

It was seamless. It was respectful. And it was precisely what Dave meant by real collaboration.