Sergeant Karen Scobell, an Army medical technician, was having a challenging early morning. She seemed at ease with everyone in the x-ray section of the hospital. However, she had never felt more alone. As she sat at her desk and tried to organize roughly a dozen x-rays in service members’ charts, her mind went blank. Meanwhile, four other members of her team were working on other charts as the deadline to get charts to training units neared. Though Sergeant Scobell was section chief, everyone was going alone never seeking the help of another person.
By 1100 hours everyone seemed exhausted and hungry. Sergeant Scobell gave everyone permission to leave for an early lunch. Rather than eat lunch in the hospital dining facility, she decided to have lunch at a training area site. The dining facility manager seemed to have trouble with her staff. She made a brief announcement to a growing line of diners: “We have a couple of new privates in training that I’m working with. Things will be okay. I thank you for your patience.”
Within fifteen minutes, the line sped up without a drop off of service. The situation was organized and corrected when the manager became directly involved giving directions verbally as she went along. She emphasized team work leading to success of the busy lunch period.
As she bicycled back to the hospital, she received her directive. She learned that the secret to getting the job done was working together and helping one another. That afternoon, Sergeant Scobell immediately ordered a brief meeting with her staff. As a result of the meeting, she learned who was burdened with a great deal of work and was not. Three of her staff did not have a great deal of work. She organized her staff so that within two hours all charts were completed and delivered to the training unit before the due date.
Prayer: Almighty God, help me learn how to work with others to accomplish whatever task
You place before me. Amen.
