The foundation of a team is rooted in mycorrhizal connections. What we eventually see is a consequence of cycle after cycle of investment, collaboration, experimentation, and adaptation. History matters. Every success and failure in each developmental stage of the team is delivered forward to the next stage. The team inherits both sickness and wellness.
Accrued knowledge about how to solve complex problems is shared with future generations. Scars from previous injuries and traumas are likewise displayed as reminders of the vital role of adversity in growth. Teammates come and go but the momentum flows forward, sometimes perceptibly but most of the time not.
Today’s iteration lasts only as long as it takes to notice it. The DNA of the ecosystem evolves without interruption. With each decision and every action, the community transforms either toward or away from the goal. Someone leads while others choose to follow or resist. Teammates communicate fit by engaging or disengaging. The entity shifts.
It’s tempting to pretend that things stay the same since change is uncomfortable. Adapting consumes energy and depletes the system. Every drain, however, has a corresponding replenishment. The very action that uses up energy prompts the team to reinvest. A goodbye to the old becomes a hello to the new. The world keeps turning.
There’s no need to urge anyone to embrace change. The team moves forward anyway. When you zoom in, each teammate’s contribution appears important. But when you zoom out and look at the big picture, we are humbled by the vastness of slow and steady growth and reminded of how small we really are in the grand scheme of things.
