The Value of Teamwork

December 2024 | Eric Jennings, Lawrence County Commissioner Opinion Editorial, Black Hills Pioneer

I am certainly not an avid basketball fan, but I did follow the women’s college basketball tournament last spring. While much of the media attention is given to the players who have the most impact on their team, but they wouldn’t be able to excel if not for the contributions of the rest of the team. Last years University of Iowa’s team is a good example of that.  Caitlin Clark was the most impactful player on that team and received most of the attention. Kate Martin was also a starter on that team.  She didn’t score as many points as Caitlin Clark, but she contributed in many other ways. In fact, Martin contributed in enough other ways to be drafted by the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA even though she didn’t have the game statistics most players do who get drafted.  Martin was drafted because she is a team player. She understands her role, is always in the spot on the floor she is supposed to be, and is respected and liked by her teammates. She has become a fan favorite even though the Aces didn’t have her play very much last season. Martin has developed a large fan base by being recognized as a good teammate who seems to also genuinely be a nice person. So much so that the Golden State Valkyries drafted her away from the Aces to be on their new team to grow their fan base.       

Being a team player is important, even in county government. I am fortunate to serve with four other commissioners who have a team mentality. That doesn’t mean that we always agree on the issues, many times a motion has passed on a 3 -2 or a 4-1 vote.  But even though we may disagree on an issue, we respectively debate the issue and not allow it to become personal.  It also means supporting the decisions of the commission whether you voted on the affirmative or negative side of the vote and working with and not against our fellow commissioners. Unfortunately, these are traits that have become the exception instead of the rule in politics these days. Not being team players has caused polarization in all levels of government and has made it more difficult to move legislation forward. Compromise has become a bad word and a sign of weakness and abandoning your supporters, when it should be a path to good policy. 

As a commission we also strive to populate the various committees and boards of the county with team players. That doesn’t mean we want everyone to have the same view point, we encourage different opinions. We want committee members who are respectful to the other committee members and the public, and who represent the county in a professional manner.  

We expect the same from our county’s employees, I have always been very impressed by the employees of the county and they seem to work very well together. As I have interacted with them, they have always acted in a professional manner and understand they are public servants. 

When making appointments on the boards and committees, we factor in expertise, knowledge of the county and willingness to engage. We also look at team chemistry and choose people who will work well with others for all the appointments we make for the county, much like a coach chooses a team that will work together toward a common goal. Through teamwork we can continue to make this county a desirable place to live and work.