Has anyone taken advantage of you? If so, how did that happen. I thought about this today as I debated an issue at hand--am I being taken advantage of or am I choosing my role in the matter? Some people passively wait for others to do the work at hand, others take control and want to run matters, and still more may have differing opinions about what's important with regard to the matters at hand. When collaborating with adults with a vast array of experiences, it's rarely simple.
Generally when people look out for you, they won't take advantage of you. Instead, they'll think about what you need, what they need and then strike a balance. Sometimes, however, people don't think about you, and this happens for all kinds of reasons. Instead, they move forward with matters with little or no consideration of others. We can all be guilty of this from time to time, and that's why it's always important to consider the needs, wants, and desires of others as you collaborate.
On any team, I like to do my part. I also like to share my ideas, look out for others, and strike a good balance. Sometimes that's easier to do than other times. I also don't want to be taken advantage of--I don't want people to simply lean on me because they don't want to do the task or share in the responsibility. In any team, we all have to do our part, support one another, encourage each other's best effort and work together.
So with this task at hand and others, I'll seek that balance which results in a job well done. Onward.