“Cooperation is the thorough conviction that nobody can get there unless everybody gets there.” 

Virginia Burden Tower

I am totally convinced that nobody can get there unless everybody gets there, within your circle, on your team, inside your organization, and amongst the group of folks you with whom you closely associate.  Let’s look at the up-cut of that statement.  If there are people inside your circle that are not cooperating, you will never get there, no matter how much you are cooperating.

Take an inventory of the people you associate with, and rate their levels of cooperation in accomplishing the mission, the project, the goal or vision.  You can be, and do, everything you must do to win, however, if you are teamed up with anyone who is dragging their feet…..well, you know, you have an anchor keeping you from moving forward.

If the anchor draggers refuse to get onboard, and start cooperating towards winning, cut the rope and leave them behind.  It has to be done.  History is filled with failures by association, as in great people didn’t accomplish what they set out to do because of the non-cooperators that went with them.  Well, who are they, Andrew? You don’t know them, and that’s the point.  Imagine Michael Jordan’s career if he was surrounded by anchor  draggers, instead of Scottie Pippin, Dennis Rodman, and coached by Phil Jackson.

I’m showing my age, but remember Barry Sanders? He was surrounded by the Detroit Lions of old.  No matter how awesome his talent, skills, and work ethic, he was surrounded by anchor draggers.  He never played one snap in a Super Bowl, and he only made it to two  play off games, his entire career.  YIKES!!

Take a hard look at those with whom you associate, are there any anchor draggers? Get them onboard or cut the rope.  Don’t waste your dream, vision, or goals on those who will not cooperate.  (Hint: Often times, the anchor draggers are those closest to you.)

Boo yah!