RANGA SAI TEJA D. challenges our perception of teamwork by looking at it as an evolutionary imperative, as well as a platform for differences, independence, and sharing a collective vision.
The moment the word “teamwork” is heard, it reminds us of colleagues working together in an office. However, this is a very limited perspective. I would like to share what I have learnt about teamwork from two different perspectives – from the book The Biology of Belief by Bruce H. Lipton and from the Japanese anime, One Piece.
In The Biology of Belief, Dr. Lipton describes the evolution of single-celled organisms into multicellular organisms that arose because of the limitation of the cell membrane at storing information in single-celled beings. This limitation led to the need for collaboration and teamwork between cells, which helped them multiply their capacities to learn and store information. And so they overcame their limitation.
This chain of integration has continued for millennia, leading to the current state of evolution of various organisms and species. In fact, the beauty of evolution has been based on collaboration among cells. Slowly, in the process, certain cells developed specialist expertise, leading to the creation of organs that would help the organism to thrive.
Now, imagine how spectacular it is when three trillion cells work together. Isn’t that wonderful? Such is a human being! When seen from the perspective of a microbiologist, a human is a conglomeration of many millions of cells working together as a single being. This being uses mechanisms similar to an organization or a nation, with various tasks under different departments for the development of the organization or the nation.
For example, just as a nation has a border-security force for protection against external attack, and a police force to maintain law and order within society, our body has white blood cells to protect us from antigens, and the skin works as a border security force to protect us from external influences, like heat, rain, and dust. Similarly, there are many cells that are experts in their own fields, which together form various organs that work for the body as a whole. To further the beauty of evolution, most of these species have also learned to live and move together in groups and communities, forming various ecosystems. And these ecosystems have come together as one world on planet Earth.
The most important thing is to
give our best as
individuals,
for
our evolution,
while striving together for
the combined higher
cause.
The most important thing is to give our best as individuals, for our evolution, while striving together for the combined higher cause. Here, I would like to share the conversation between two characters from the Japanese anime, One Piece. Dr. Chopper, who has joined the group recently, is wondering whether he has boarded the wrong pirate ship, joining the wrong team. He asks Zoro, the first mate, the first person to join the agonists of the team.
They start talking about why each one joined the crew. Chopper remarks that the crew seems so wild compared to him. Zoro then starts talking about how everyone has different goals, but their goal to be the best in what they do unites them.
The following conversation ensues:
Chopper: You’re the oldest member of the crew, right?
Zoro: It’s not like there’s much difference between the older members and the newer ones.
Chopper: Why did you join him [the captain]? I’ve only just joined the crew. And everyone looks kinda wild and independent, to me. Especially you, Zoro.
Zoro: That’s true. In my case, things just happened to turn out like this or something like that anyway. The rest of the crew are like me, too. Our true objectives are different from his.
Luffy [agonist]: We’re all trying to accomplish our own goals. Jeez … someone once said that from the outside we don’t appear to have any teamwork, since everyone is independent from the captain. That’s a problem.
Chopper: I think so, too.
Zoro: But what does teamwork really mean anyway? Is it just about rescuing and protecting each other? There are people who believe that. But to me, that just sounds like kids playing around. Everyone should do what they can with their lives on the line, and then say to the next guy, “I did what I could. Now it’s your turn. If you don’t finish it … I’ll come and kick you!” Isn’t that how teamwork first comes about? When I look at it that way, I think it’s okay to have nakama [friends] that are wild and independent. That’s just how I think.
This is the beauty of teamwork and the spectacular magnificence of collaboration and evolution.
Original photographs by C. ANANTHA PADMANABAN
Ranga Sai Teja D.
