We have come to take for granted from movies over the past 70+ years that the US Military will win the day. We believe that John Wayne or Tom Cruise, or the Space Marines will rally the troops and repel the alien invasion with grit and determination.
Back in World War II, that was not the case. Victory was never certain. In the past few days, we have celebrated the anniversary of the Battle of Midway in 1942, credited with turning the tide of war in the Pacific, and D-Day, in 1944, where Allied forces successfully invaded Normandy to push back the Axis powers in Europe.
Both battles were a tremendous gamble that could have ended in disaster, and both changed the course of world history. There were great Admirals and Generals responsible for the victories, (which are only considered great because they won). But the battles were fought by ordinary men facing extraordinary odds.
I've been re-watching the fantastic HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers" about a group of paratroopers in WWII recently. One of the lines that struck me is that for many of the paratroopers, they volunteered for the Airborne Corps not for the additional level of danger that parachuting behind enemy lines presented but so they knew that they would be fighting alongside the best of the best, and they would have each other's back through thick and thin.
Thankfully, most of us will never experience the horrors of war, especially against the desperate odds they faced in WWII. But the sentiment of having the best team around you still is strong.
While your life might not directly be in the hands of your teammate, your livelihood is - and your career success. Are you surrounded by the best there is or are they just going through the motions? Do they challenge you every day to be the best version of your self or do they just put you down and complain? Are you afraid you'll let them down and work that much harder to achieve your goals? If you are a leader, have you built the best team you can? Are you driving them to success?
If you are climbing mountains, building a company, or just starting out in your career, it is so much better with the right team. Don't settle for mediocrity, as many companies are won't to do. Build the best team you can - or seek to join another one if your team is not the one you'd want to go to battle with, climb that mountain, or close that deal.
At The Rivet Group, we can help you find the right people for your team, or help you find another one if you are ready. Let us know how we can help.