Part of the Same Team

"We're all part of the same team, right guys?"

A Project Manager sometimes says this to his team when they've made a decision without consulting him and the decision has some repercussions elsewhere in the project:  money, time, or credibility.

A developer might say this to the management team of the project when the Project Manager or Team Lead has committed to a date that the developer knows is unrealistic, unattainable, or even justifiable.

The business area may say this to the project team when the team seems reluctant to embrace the total vision of the project and seems to be cautious, nervous, or even afraid of the impact.

It doesn't matter the perspective, nor does it matter the person who says it, when this statement is said there is an almost instant "us vs. them" mental image that pops into everyone's head.  Well, maybe not everyone.  Some people, some teams, actually work well together.  They understand the impact of their decisions and, if there are far ranging impacts they discuss them with the required people in advance of agreeing to them.  They understand that even though a request seems simple, they should talk it over with the rest of the team in case something is actually much harder than originally thought.  They understand that being part of a team is a good thing and that teamwork can overcome many obstacles.

Each of us has the ability to shape our team.  Each of us has the ability to help guide the team.  This isn't about being a Project Manager directing the team, it is about people being part of a team and committing to the common goals.

Five people working on the same project is not a team.  Five people, sharing the same vision and goals and working together, is a team.