CHECK YOUR EGOS HERE

In January 1985 (yes, I know before most of you were even a thought)  director/producer Quincy Jones together with co-writers Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson (rest in peace) wrote a song titled “We are the World” for the famine relief campaign, USA for Africa. The American Music Awards (Grammy awards) brings the best of the best into LA every year and Quincy felt this would be the most opportune time to develop this project since everyone would be in town at the same time. After the Awards show, the stars gathered together.  Over 30 participated on a night when many had won Grammys and would have rather have been celebrating.  Singers Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, Ray Charles, Harry Belafonte, Kenny Logins, Cyndi Lauper, Smoky Robinson, Hall-n-Oates, Huey Lewis, Jackson brothers, Bette Midler, and Janet Jackson to name but a few.

Quincy had hung a sign on the door outside that read “CHECK YOUR EGOS HERE!” in big, bold letters for each to see on arrival.  He wanted to remind them they were coming to help others.

•          His objective:  Focus on why we are here not who you are!

The song sold over 800,000 in the first weekend it was released and it raised millions of dollars in support of  USA for Africa.  What a team!

A team is defined as a group (i.e. a collection of persons having at least one thing in common) that has developed toward a set of conditions that, in turn, eventually lead the group to extraordinary productivity. Simply, a team is a group of people coming together for the good of the purpose or goal.  The basic purpose of working in teams is the opportunity for several individuals to stimulate the creativity of each other resulting in multiple ideas, instant feedback, and heightened levels of productivity.

Today’s success in any organization large or small is its people.  Empowering employees to make their own decisions based on the education provided is imperative for survival.  Top management must recognize that a true team effort is a benefit to their organization and their bottom line cost savings.  The objective of team building is to understand first that we are successful when we believe in building excellence into every aspect of the organization by focusing on creating a workplace that encourages EVERYONE to contribute.  We too must leave our egos at the door and walk into the workplace wanting to make a difference each and every “today”.