It's almost spring, and our thoughts are perhaps turning to April showers, spring cleaning, tax returns, and getting back outdoors after what, in many parts of the country, has been a long winter indeed. As Kari Schmidt and I settle into our new roles as co-editors at the Journal, I've been thinking a lot about the importance of teams and how the talents of individuals come together to achieve quality outcomes and useful products. A high-functioning team of professionals with special and varying talents clearly shows that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," an old adage attributed to Aristotle. What people can accomplish by working together is more (and usually better) than each could accomplish working individually. Everyone has strengths, and when those strengths come together, the results are amazing. A successful major league baseball team, for example, consists of individual players. Each has a special skill or ability such as powerful hitting, a devastating curve ball, crafty base running, endless hustle, "gold glove" defense, or a cool head under pressure. Each player contributes and plays a role, while depending on teammates to execute their positions to the fullest as well. Solid pitching with no defense leads to defeat; similarly, all hustle without the balance of calmness leads to chaos. Team members communicating and working together, however, improves the chance of success. When this happens, teams can look flawless and perform well, although adjustments in game plans, personnel, and resources are constantly being made.

To the casual fan, observer, or reader, team infrastructure and the decisions that determine the ultimate outcomes of a team may not be obvious. Yet, they are crucial to the end results, be it a championship game or an effective work team. The Journal depends on a team of professionals and volunteers alike for its continued success. Readers ask questions and provide valuable feedback via letters to the editor, e-mails, and other venues. Authors contribute raw materials to the Journal in the form of manuscripts, guest editorials, and new ideas. We rely on book reviewers and columnists to produce thoughtful commentary and insights on relevant nursing professional development (NPD) topics in each issue. Editorial Board members serve in the critical role of peer reviewers, and their work helps to maintain the accuracy and relevance of the Journal's content. Editors' decisions guide the direction and scope of the Journal, with the readers in mind. Copyeditors, proofers, and a myriad of other production and publication team members work their magic to make submissions come alive and ensure a quality, polished end product. Publishers market, promote, and distribute the Journal to readers. Each player has a special skill and makes a unique contribution, starting and ending with you, the readers.

We are each members of many teams. Our families are teams of sorts, as are our work units and departments. Task forces and committees are teams within teams, with their own specific goals and targets. Whether we act as team leaders, members, or supporters, it is important to stop and take stock of the contributions of each person in the group and the team as a whole. Are there team members who consistently go above and beyond what is expected of them? Is there someone from whose expertise we can learn? Are we doing our best and setting a good example for others? Are there barriers or facilitators to a team's productivity or efficiency that we may be overlooking? Is it time to infuse some additional motivation to the team or to refocus its energies? Do we need new equipment or more "practice" time? Are we ready for the next game or challenge? Have we recognized our teams' accomplishments? These questions, and the answers to them, give us much to think about and act upon. If nothing else, reflecting on the power of teams gives us an opportunity to appreciate the incredible things that the people we work with and for are doing. As a current team member with a new role here at the Journal, I am grateful for the expertise and experience of my teammates and am constantly amazed at the talent and bench strength of the JNPD team. We look forward to working with authors and volunteers to build an ever deeper, broader, and stronger JNPD team with each issue. Spring is right around the corner; let's gather up our professional teammates and "play ball!" My best wishes to you and your team for a successful spring season!