A team is never made of people who share all things in common: it is made up of individuals with one or few specific goals in common. This implies that there are differences between these individuals, which might be background, intelligence, race, tribe, religion, preferences and even country, etc.
I once worked in a school as a primary school teacher where I taught kids in primary 3. Almot 2 months in the school and I rarely intersct with other teachers, they were expecting me to have gotten use to the system and would be taking to everyone; I was reserved and on my lane since I was the youngest teacher in the school at that time.
The Cultural Day of the school was approaching fast. It's a day when kid in the school puts on their complete native attire to school, native food and also show us their native dance. So we the teachers and the school owner (a very intelligent woman) had to meet to plan ahead.
Roles like director for choreography, dress, food, welfare, decorations and master of ceremony were to be shared among the staffs. Other teachers began pointing at each other for some roles since they know themselves quite well, except me. The school owner asked me what role would I pick and I told her I am not so good at any of those roles available. I told her I don't mind helping other teachers (males specifically) with their roles. It took while for us to agree to that because the female teachers felt I was trying to avoid work or being proud.
Fast forward to the morning of the event, afyer several rehearsals and work, the D-Day came and we were almost set to begin the event. The school owner came in, she suggested that we should make a face paint for the kids, because she saw some other schools who made same for their kids and it looked really good on them. No one knew quite enough about artwork, so I volunteered.
A pack of water colour was bought, I went home to get two of my brushes ( I learnt artwork while I was in secondary school and had some of the tools with me). It was obvious that they doubted me, it was written on their faces; I finished the painting on the first kid and they were convinced that I knew what I was doing.
I single handedly drew beautiful abstract shapes on about 75 kids.
This time round, it was a bigger event, a graduation party - every school and studnets take this serious. So, we teacher were expected to bring our A-game like big ideas, presentations, awards for best performing pupils & student in each classes and the whole school,etc. We came up woth different ideas when it was time to assign roles to teachers, they gave me a role I wasn't comfortable with. I couldn't argue like I should with the teachers and school owner since it was suggested by the school owner.
The task for me was to make sure all pupils & student are well mannered, dressed and sitted. This was quote hard for me at first because I was never a favourite teacher and they only respect a favourite teacher or the most strict teacher.... I wasn't any of the two.
The school owner got pissed and said I could leave the job if I can't agree with her.... she said other serious things (you know how women talk when they are angry)
On the Graduation day, I was stayed with the kifs as usual but I wasn't performing my job so well. Some kids tried to leverage on my attitude - being calm;the school owner also spoke to me badly because I couldn't control the kids.
So I decided to act a bit weird, strict I mean. I didn't allow any excuse from any of the kids, no standing, no loud side talk. Low key I wasn't feeling myself so I began praying to God for the best solution.
Not quite long, an idea came which was to bring the seniors to sit in between the juniors, which means no friendly interaction. It worked well till after the event and I was glad the school owner was satisfied at last. She knew I was more reserved but wanted to push me beyond limit.
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