This is a topic I have to wrangle with every once in a while. Woodie says it very well in the manual, to the point I used this quote verbatim as the second or third slide in 4901's first meeting:
Quote:
FIRST celebrates high-quality, well-informed work done in a manner that leaves everyone feeling valued. Gracious Professionalism seems to be a good descriptor for a big part of the ethos of FIRST. It is one of the things that makes FIRST different and wonderful.
Gracious attitudes and behaviors are win-win. Gracious folks respect others and let that respect show in their actions. Professionals possess special knowledge and are trusted by society to use that knowledge responsibly. Thus, gracious professionals make a valued contribution in a manner pleasing to others and to themselves.
In FIRST, Gracious Professionalism means that we learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. We try to avoid leaving anyone feeling like they have lost. No chest-thumping barbarian tough talk, but no sticky sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, pride and empathy comfortably blended.
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(Six-by-six rule for slides? Ain't nobody got time for that!)
It seems like the further you reach in FIRST, the more likely it is that someone will frown upon your work and make it known loudly. (It's happened to me twice in recent years, and both times it was a punch in the gut. I don't know how Simbots manage it.) Gracious Professionalism is a test of yourself in these situations. If they smoked a motor, do you give them your spare? If they've got the other color bumpers on, do you still loan them the ballast so they can play better defense? If they stop moving in Finals 2, do you call your alliance's timeout before Finals 3?
The answer had better be yes. Be great, let others be great, and get as much dirt off your shoulder as possible.