Purpose
A Non-Profit community swim team dedicated to the physical, emotional, and virtuous growth of its swimmers and the positive morale and service to the community in which they live.
Vision
We endeavor to be a source of goodness in the community that manifests itself through the positive development of the hearts, minds and bodies of swimmers and volunteers. We endeavor to be a shining light of excellence to the community built upon things worthy of praise. We endeavor to foster an environment that will serve as those moments in time that swimmers fondly reflect upon throughout their lives when they were encouraged, supported and labored in a team environment.
Core Principles
1. Encourage Open Communication
“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” - Proverbs 18:13
Communication is essential within any team, and promoting open communication helps team members express their thoughts, opinions, and ideas comfortably. It is essential to welcome feedback from team members and encourage them toc communicate freely about their grievances or concerns within the team. Honest communication helps reduce misunderstandings and create harmony among team members, making it easier to achieve team goals.
2. Encourage Accountability
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” - Proverbs 27:17
Accountability is a necessary aspect of building a strong team culture. Accountability encourages team members to take responsibility for their actions, and it promotes honesty and integrity. When team members hold each other accountable, trust develops, and productivity increases. Encouraging accountability leads to a sense of responsibility among team members, which ultimately fosters personal growth and team success.
3. Lead with Humility
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” - Philippians 2:3-4
As a leader, it is essential to lead with humility. Humility promotes selflessness, compassion, and empathy, which can help in building a healthy work environment. Humble leaders listen to the opinions of their team members, put the interests of the team over personal interests, and are willing to admit their mistakes. Leading with humility promotes unity among team members and encourages personal growth.
4. Celebrate Success and Learn from Failures
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Celebrating success and learning from failures is a crucial aspect of promoting positive team culture. When team members accomplish a task or achieve a goal, it is essential to celebrate their success and acknowledge their hard work. At the same time, it is necessary to learn from failures and use them as opportunities for growth and development. Celebrating success, learning from failures, and growing as a team increases productivity, promotes positivity, and fosters a sense of community and togetherness.
Building a strong team culture is vital to the success of any organization. By applying Biblical principles such as surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals, encouraging accountability, leading with humility, promoting open communication, and celebrating success and learning from failures, a strong team culture can be created.
The Shark’s Founder’s Inspiration
Just after the outbreak of Covid we witnessed a society that overnight became overly fearful and distrusting of our fellow man either through lockdowns, government regulations, and through both news and social media that sowed division within our beautiful county.
Through prayer and a desire to bring peace and love to the Shearwater Community, the founder received inspiration in this verse in the gospel of Matthew, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22 36-40 ESV
This charge for us to love our neighbor was the inspiration
to form the swim team and allow love to rule over the families, coaches,
swimmers, and neighbors. The success of the
program now and years to come is a tribute to the glory and faithfulness of
God.
