It is not at all unusual to find inspirational quotes and phrases in various workplaces. In fact, if you pay attention next time you are in your accountant or doctor's office, you will likely find many great positive sayings posted up. There is much more to posting these types of things rather than just to cover the bare walls. Consider how using inspirational quotes could benefit your team. You might be surprised to discover the immense difference it can make to team members on a personal level. Draw up calendars or make small posters to hang around the office. Better yet, study and discuss quotes at team building meetings.
Henry Ford once said, "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." This man is the founder of the Ford Motor Company which helped to pave the way in the automotive industry. However, there is no way that he could have done this on his own. From the very first Ford cars to the current cars of today, none of them would have existed if the Ford team had not worked so well together. Large corporations that claim to be built by a team are perfect for using as an example for your own team.
Michael Jordan was told by his UNC coach, "Michael, if you can not pass, you can not play." This was to prevent the famous athlete from believing he did not need to share the ball. He needed to realize that by refusing to pass to team mates and get them involved, he was destroying the team unit and therefore, sabotaging the game. A team must learn to share everything; this means both the good and the bad. It is not right for the same one person to get all of the credit and glory or all of the hardship and discipline.
"Teams share the burden and divide the grief." This quote was said by Doug Smith. Every successful team will keep this as one of their mantras. It is true that you can not win all the time. So during those times when things are not as good as you'd like, make sure your team does not fall apart. Being a team means more than uniting for the good times. It also means coming together to share the burden of the hard times.
Thomas Edison was quoted as saying, "If we did all the things we were capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." Quite simply this means that more often than not, people do not try nearly as hard as they could. Because of this, they do not go as far as they could or even realize what they are missing. This is a mistake that does not have to be made. Bring this quote up at your next team meeting and see how everyone reacts.
"No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it." H.E. Luccock said this very thought provoking quote. Ask your team how they feel about this quote. It certainly is inspiring in its truth. One person alone can make beautiful music, but a team together makes it magnificent. Consider the many ways this applies to your team in the business world.