Conversations in Management
After
a miserable Atlantic crossing, it didn’t take the Separatists
(AKA Pilgrims) long to figure out that they weren’t in Virginia.
That wasn’t good news. Those who had survived the voyage were
seriously weakened, supplies were running low and winter was
fast approaching. Adding to their difficulties was the fact that
they weren’t exactly sure where they were. The situation
was as bleak as the weather. The Separatists hadn’t caught a
break in a long time. Their opposition to the Church of England
had resulted in a long exile to Holland.
Even after the dread Sovereign
Lord, King James (they meant “dread” in a positive way) granted
them the right to colonize northern Virginia, their expedition
literally foundered when their sister ship, the Speedwell,
leaked so badly it had to return to port
shortly after their voyage to the New World began. Things
didn’t get better. Fierce north Atlantic storms pushed the
Mayflower off course and extended the trip by weeks. But as the
Separatists dropped anchor off what later would be known as
Provincetown Harbor, they did something unusual for people in
trouble—they came up with a plan.
If you
suspected that a group of folks calling themselves “Separatists”
would have authority issues, you’d be right. Not only did the
Separatists have disputes with the Church of England (to say the
least of Rome) and with the King, they had more than a few
quarrels amongst themselves. Yet at this critical juncture—when
in-fighting and blaming could have been at its peak—they decided
to work together. They formalized this decision in what
we know as the Mayflower Compact. The Compact is a
brief document—only 200 words—and entirely unique for its day.
Foremost, the Compact is a covenant. That is, a
deeply personal commitment on behalf of the signatories. It
reflected a commitment that went beyond a contract or a pledge.
In this covenant, the colonists promised to, “enact,
constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances,
Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be
thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the
Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.”
In other words, they agreed to form a government by the mutual
consent of those to be governed. What’s more, they agreed to
follow the rules of that government even when they were in
disagreement providing the government continued to operate with
the consent of the people.
The Mayflower Compact was an
important step in the evolution of American democracy. John
Adams went so far as to call it the foundation of the U.
S. Constitution. But it’s also instructive for anyone who works
with others toward a common end. That’s because it demonstrates
that great things can be achieved when folks self-consciously
agree to work together. The Compact isn’t
voluminous or complicated, and that’s its strength. In just a
few words it straightforwardly lays out the principles of
effective teamwork. The first principle calls us to amicably
covenant with each other. This means personally committing
to a common goal and to the success of the team. Secondly, it
recognizes that change is the fuel that drives success
and though it may make us uncomfortable, it’s intended to
achieve a greater end. Finally, it reminds us that disputes are
to be resolved with civility and without lingering hard
feelings. The Separatists literally set out to build a shining
city on a hill. If we follow their lead, we might at least find
our cubicles shining a bit more brightly.
—Ebert
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