I was looking at my backyard fence the other day, while sitting outside. A fence services two purposes. First, it’s to keep unwanted things out. Second, it’s to keep precious things safe inside. I remember when I put our fence up. I worked hard to make sure that the slates were buddied right up next to each other so there were not any gaps or overlaps in it.
I have children and dogs. It’s comforting knowing our fence allows us to be safe in our environment-safe from other animals or strangers. I’m also happy that my dogs are not able to get out. If the slates weren’t buddied up to each other correctly, my fence would have gaps. My dogs are small, so a small gap would be just as bad as if I had no fence at all-both would cause the same problem. My dogs would still get out and my fence would be inefficient.
My point is this. In working with others I truly believe no matter what your job or task, an efficient “team” is one that minimizes gaps, as well as overlaps. Everyone understands his or her role, communicates well and doesn’t try to micromanage (overlap) someone else. An overlap on one end creates a gap on the other end and is inefficient like my fence would be.
Teachers will tell you that in a perfect world, assuming all kids were at grade level to begin with, they would be able to cover all of the material expected of them. When a student moved to the next grade, they would have the knowledge base needed for a successful transition. On the other hand, if a math teacher is only able to cover the first six chapters of a 10-chapter book during a school year but the teacher at the next level expects the student to be proficient in all of the previous material, there would be noticeable a gap in the student’s knowledge base and their ability to progress would be hindered.
When someone is hired to do a job, if they are micromanaged, then it’s almost as if two people were doing the job one was supposed to do. I’ve been micromanaged before and it’s no fun. Certainly, some overlap is necessary in order to ensure smooth transition.
When I was younger and would mow my grandpa’s lawn, he would remind me that with each pass I made around the yard that I needed a slight overlap with the cut of grass I had made the previous lap. This helped ensure I wouldn’t miss a piece. There was overlap but it was the right amount to get the job done correctly.
As a parent it’s hard not to micromanage my children. When my children were small and learning to tie their shoes, I had to remember not to do it for them, even if I was in a hurry. If I had done this then they would never have become proficient and they would’ve relied on me too much. When they do the dishes, they will most likely load the washer different than I would’ve, but different is ok and they are doing it. That’s what matters. It would be awful if everyone did everything the same way all of the time. Individuality and creativity would no longer exist.
Outfielders on a baseball team are another great example of team play and appropriate overlap. When one outfielder goes for the ball, the other one goes behind him or her to back them up. They are there in case their teammate needs help. That kind of overlap is appropriate-it’s not micromanagement. It’s being there in case you are needed.
So, the next time you are working as part of a team whether at work, or within your family unit-remember that every member of that team has worth. It’s important not to have gaps and to have just the right amount of overlap. The end product will be neat, efficient and the outcome will be positive just like my fence or my grandpa’s lawn.
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