Where I work, everyone helps out other departments when they can. It's just unspoken and the teamwork is awesome. I was asked by a co-worker and someone I consider a friend to help out by stuffing envelopes for an extremely large mailing that needed to be out by the end of the day. Normally I would have helped her without reservation because I know she would have helped me if I needed her. This time I said no. I didn't want to help her because it was tedious, boring and not part of my job description.

By goodness she wasn't only mad, she was pissed! Not only had I violated the working rule of being available to help out, I was rude about it. As the day went on, she ignored me and when I would try to ask her questions or just have a conversation, she would look at me coolly and simply say "No, counseling you is not part of my job description!" and turn away. Finally, I showed her, almost had to drag her to my desk, my homework assignment. At first she wasn't impressed but after I bought her coffee and begged her forgiveness, she softened up again and we were good then.

I learned that unwritten policies are just as important as written policies when it comes to teamwork and is very necessary for the proper function of a company. I violated an unspoken policy and alienated a friend because I refused to do "busy work". It felt awful to let others down and hurt a friend. Luckily, she's a very mature person who understood.

The assignment was interesting to say the least.

Karen Jennings (kjennings@iste.org)