“Don’t you bug out on me, Maverick. Get you’re a** in here!”
– Iceman (Val Kilmer), in the movie “Top Gun”
Engaging, or re-engaging to help teammates, or even other teams who need it, is a great way to make a difference. Considered in the broader context, however, I’d suggest that the team that doesn’t raise its hand to ask for help is just as guilty as the person who doesn’t offer it.
Pride is a dangerous thing. It’s easy to “not want to be a burden.” It’s easy to think that if you can’t get through a challenge on your own that it somehow makes you less valuable in the eyes of others. All of that is just plain silly. Here’s the deal: If you need help, ask for it. Ask loudly. Ask forcefully. Ask specifically. Ask repeatedly. But, doggonit (as Dad might have said), ask!
In the movie, Maverick knew he could help. He knew he should help. One could argue, however, that if Iceman hadn’t asked (loudly, forcefully, specifically and repeatedly “Engage, Maverick, engage!”) that it would have been pretty easy for Maverick to “bug out.”
Don’t be too proud to ask for help. And don’t be too busy to offer it. Within the team. Across the teams. Across all of your field of influence. That’s the “team” part, and it’s the key element to bringing about permanent, broad-sweeping and transformational change. It’s one of the keys to making a difference.
Leave a Reply