[JaneYoung]

One thought that comes to mind from reading this post is that the mentors and the team captain are doing their job.

There are all different types of FIRST teams and how the team develops over time in running a successful program will show itself.

Not everyone can be a driver, an animator, a team captain, or a mentor. There are reasons that there are different parts of the competition that come together to complete the whole. There are reasons that there are team leads and team mentors and it is appropriate that they make the final decisions.

In my job, I have a lot of responsibility that affects our office if I make a good decision or a bad decision. I also have a boss who has final say and who is the one who is ultimately responsible for decisions that are made. If I follow the rules, comply with university regulations, make decisions that continue to reflect the standard of excellence that our office has achieved - then it makes his job easier. If I perform poorly, make bad decisions, spend money unwisely, and am not accountable, it makes his job more difficult. We work together but ultimately, it is his responsibility in the role of boss.

Robotics teams have to have mentors and student leaders that make the tough calls, make the final decisions. It is a part of being on a FIRST team and it is a part of working in the real world as well.