When my time on Earth has passed, I’m not sure which is more likely to be engraved on my headstone: “Promotor of Good Teammates” or “Pursuer of Good BBQ.”
I hope it’s the former, but I doubt anyone would question the validity of the latter. Those who know me know that I love good BBQ!
As I’ve mentioned in several previous Teammate Tuesdays (Ellie Lou’s Secret, Dive Donuts, and The Burnt Ends Perspective), some of my favorite “good teammate” insights have emerged from my pursuit of good BBQ.
Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at NoBull Smokehouse in Fargo, North Dakota—and the experience did not disappoint.
I was in town for another event, and someone recommended I try NoBull. The frigid North Dakota weather may not have been especially welcoming to this Floridian, but NoBull’s kitchen sure was. They served some of the best BBQ I have ever tasted.
What they did not serve was any bull (i.e., rubbish, nonsense, malarkey, crap, “BS,” etc.)
I tried nearly every meat on their menu and none of them were low-quality, “BS” meats. They were all deliciously topnotch. Hence their deserving name NoBull.
When it comes to teamwork, good teammates have a “no bull” attitude. They don’t play games with other teammates’ emotions. They don’t get involved in gossip, pettiness, or any other drama-causing distractions.
Good teammates are singular in purpose. They focus on doing whatever is necessary to help their teams succeed. To them, anything that detracts from that objective is simply “BS.”
Anytime I visit a new BBQ joint, I make sure to ask my server if there’s anything on the menu I “have to” order. Without hesitation, my server said, “Yes, the cheese curds.”
Considering the restaurant’s delightful smoky aroma and meat-heavy menu, I was skeptical of her response. But she assured me that people come there just to eat the cheese curds and that they were “incredible.”
I took her advice and ordered the cheese curds, and she was right. They were incredible. In fact, from my perspective, they were what made my dining experience so amazing.
The same thing can happen on teams. The top performers and statistical leaders usually get the spotlight. But it’s the sacrifices and unselfishness of the unheralded that make a team amazing.
Besides the food and smoky aroma, I liked NoBull’s eclectic décor. The restaurant’s walls were adorned with a variety of knickknacks, memorabilia, and funny signs. My favorite adornment was a t-shirt that said: “A pig, a cow, and a chicken walked into a smokehouse…the end.”
My vegetarian daughter wasn’t amused by the t-shirt, but it made me laugh. It also made me think about the art of being a good teammate.
When pigs, cows, or chickens cross paths with a good pitmaster, it’s game over. The same is true when bullies, troublemakers, or toxic teammates cross paths with a good teammate. A good teammate’s “no bull” attitude brings those detrimental behaviors to an abrupt end.
If you’re ever in Fargo, North Dakota, stop by NoBull Smokehouse. You won’t be disappointed.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.
