Marcus creates an award for the most supportive employee of the month and challenges the team to be supportive, saying everyone will be judged on who offers the most support to Tammy. People offer various forms of support and the outcome results in more winners and losers than expected. Marcus feels everyone is a winner.

In a team meeting Marcus asks what it means to be supportive and people offer definitions. Marcus creates an award for the most supportive person each month and it is clear that the person he feels needs the most support is Tammy.  Different members of the team are then shown being supportive to Tammy in a number of ways, some more successful than others.  Tammy discusses with Steve her difficulties in dealing with Sanjay and he tells her a good way of looking at fear. Marcus makes some strange awards at the end of the month.  Tammy is invited to say who she felt was the most supportive. Marcus feels everyone is a winner, and Carol later rewards a true winner.

  Key Learning Points

"Being supportive is an essential skill for teams. It takes very little effort to show support"

BE SUPPORTIVE AND CARING

Don’t ignore someone who needs help
INSTEAD: Be someone who offers help 

Don’t focus only on your needs
INSTEAD: Make others feel special

Don’t be selfish with your skills
INSTEAD: Coach others to be independent

Don’t expect rewards
INSTEAD: Show humility and enjoy giving