Another Culture Change

[EricH]

Originally Posted by JVN

So back to the topic...
Can we change the culture within FIRST to where it is no longer okay to make mean remarks about a team on YouTube just because you're jealous of them?

How can we teach teams to use their jealousy to raise the bar instead of try to lower the ceiling?

How do we instill a culture of professionalism?

Can we? I certainly hope so, and think so.

But how? Well, we could respond to every post/comment with a "You don't know the team, please withhold this type of judgment until you do" or some similar device. But that can also make us look bad.

Could we simply ignore actions and comments like that? NO. We cannot afford to. If ignored, they will get worse. Sometimes it might work--but only if the person is a troll looking for a response.

What we can do is to respond appropriately to actions and comments of that form: Invite those making those comments to join us for a while, or ask if we can work with them for a time--the remainder of the event, or a build week(end), or as long as they like, as long as necessary or until one or both decide that differences are irreconcilable. Maybe even trade a few members for a short time, or arrange for the experience to happen with another similar "powerhouse" team. Fight fire with water, if you will. This works especially well if the team making the invitation is the team that has been accused/badmouthed, etc., but may also work for a similar-level team.

If a team opts to accept that offer, ideally both teams benefit. One more team wants to be like the powerhouse, which keeps the powerhouse innovating and the level of competition climbing. One more team "gets it". Two teams become friends. Ideas are exchanged. Teams are exposed to some of the inner workings of other teams.

If a team opts to decline the offer, OTOH, then that's their choice. There isn't a limit to how many times the offer can be extended.

All teams should be reminded of <G60>: Be civil while in the arena. You can't be penalized for off-field actions in a match, but you can be held accountable by field personnel. (paraphrased) I would also say that other teams may help said field personnel in some cases. I'm not going to suggest any methods, but there are a few that could be employed, most of them less than gracious and/or taking way too long to implement (i.e. multiple years instead of weeks/months/one year).