FireFly Facilitation

How many species of fireflies would you guess there are in the world? 10? 50? 100?
Would you believe that in the United States alone there are 170 species of fireflies? More than 2,000 species inhabit the globe! Who knew a seemingly simple insect could display so much variety? And yet, how much more complex and unique are each one of us? How much greater is our capacity to shine brilliantly as one-of-a-kind human beings?

I do not imagine biologists could have discovered 2,000 species of fireflies without careful observation and close study of their differences. Likewise, one glance won’t clue you into the unique gifts inside of those around you. It will take time to learn what makes them tick and where they fit best on the team. However, if you’re observant, I guarantee you will be amazed by, and tremendously thankful for, the richness of diversity you’ll find.

Each November, do retailers decorate for Christmas earlier than they did the previous year? I almost feel like the malls and storefronts have forgotten all about Thanksgiving! Sadly, our treatment of the holidays seems to symbolize our approach to life—we rush toward the future without pausing to be grateful for today.

This Thanksgiving, slow down and show appreciation for the diverse talent on your team. Celebrate the unique contribution each person makes to the group. The more you discover, affirm, and combine individual strengths then the stronger your team will grow. After all, can you imagine how hopelessly unproductive your organization would be if every person had identical skill sets?

As you cast shared vision and build a common culture, be careful not to force everyone into the same mold. Your goal is to bring people together, not to make them the same. However, to fully encourage the uniqueness of your teammates, you must be able to see each person’s individual giftedness.