By Javier Sanchez

Teamwork starts with vision. And vision starts at the top. If everyone doesn’t know why we’re doing what we’re doing, then nothing happens and progress comes to a halt.

This holds true for cities and organizations. I’m finding that out the hard way. Sometimes I let inertia carry me through. The systems in place have worked so far, mas o menos – more or less. They have gotten me where I need to go. Unless there’s something more.

Or less. My teams haven’t been working as well as I’d like. That’s my doing and I have to own that. I wish there were a magical kumbaya moment when we all just get along and work in perfect harmony.

Yet some members don’t know where we came from and some don’t know the simple rules. But nothing is basic if I haven’t communicated that with them. These are the things I take for granted and the real consequences of such lack of accountability funnel down into poor performance, poor customer service, and an unmotivated team.

It’s hard to get everyone on the same page. The city has lapsed because we can’t do the same at the municipal level. Everyone has divergent needs, desires and reasons for being here. Our civic base represents a diverse and rich community.

The very thing that makes us love our community also makes it harder to build team spirit and unity than it does in traditional sports. But it shouldn’t be. Building a better city starts with finding common ground. You may not know all the players or even their disparate motivations, but we do know one thing: We all choose to live here. We all choose to be a part of the same organization. That’s a good start. The success of our team will depend on how much we’re willing to make it work. That takes participation and a willingness to do your part.

We stop progressing when we settle for what’s given. We resign ourselves to the status quo where everything becomes just barely enough or passable. Whether it’s a job that barely makes me enough money to pay my bills or a city that that’s barely enough to provide my needs.

Whenever we settle, a little part of us dies on the inside. It hardens into silent decrepitude because we have let that part of ourselves be forgotten. We forget what it’s like to live and what it’s like to experiment or see the world in nascent wonder. Many of you relive that experience with children who experience the world for the first time each and every single day. It’s joyous and refreshing.

We must fight to regain that sense of newness and authenticity when we choose to fight for something better. When we choose to be a part of that team or city, we choose to become a part of something bigger than ourselves. Something that outshines the sum of our parts.

I have to find a way to inspire and lead a team of hard-working, spirited individuals to achieve greatness. Our civic leaders must do the same to inspire a group of citizens. Even when there are no shenanigans or common enemies to fight, we must still search for a reason to exist. We must shed the clan mentality and the necessity for a common enemy. How about we hunt for a common good instead. That will lead the way better than any enemy could.

Javier Sanchez is an El Rito Media columnist, former Española mayor, and restaurant owner.