Teamwork
November CCA Way Contest Submission
Teamwork, one of the most commonly used terms in the workforce industry. More importantly than the term that we so often hear, is the meaning behind it, by definition, team work is; "work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole". The definition does not do the meaning justice. In our line of business, work done by several associates is looked at in a whole new meaning, CCA as a company would define teamwork as goals and objectives obtained by a group working as "family" and supporting one another in every aspect in order to meet the goals and objectives.
In the line of corrections your team is your family and we as a team would provide any support and motivation necessary to maintain the well being and success of that "team". I have worked in corrections for over ten years and have also played many sports teams, and have never had a more "team" based atmosphere as the one I have with CCA. Through the most difficult of times with the economy I have watched CCA pull even closer together as a team in order to implement more cost effective ways to save money and meet budgets rather than join the trend of most of the nations largest company's and resort to staff layoff's.
At the facility level, I have first hand witnessed the strong bond of a team pulling together to get through some of the roughest of situations and doing what ever it takes to protect the team members. Whether it be preparing for a major audit or responding to an emergency situation. The team always works together to achieve the best results for the collective. Our facility has a saying "We are North Fork", this saying and the meaning behind it is taught to each and every staff member who go through our pre-service academy so they can understand from day one the atmosphere that is promoted and that which they have been accepted to.
In closing I would like to say that the word teamwork has a much more profound meaning to it than most people could ever perceive. Until you have been in the thickest of situations and seen the best in people who would give their all in order to preserve the team that they care so deeply for, you can not truly understand the personal meaning of the word. CCA instills this meaning into every staff member with best of intentions because it is the right thing to do. Teamwork is one of the greatest assets any CCA corrections professional could ever have on their side.