The Stereotyping of Successful Teams

[MrForbes]

Great post!

Maybe I'm different....my stereotype image of more successful teams is that they just work harder and smarter than we do. Thanks for explaining how you do that.

[JudyVandy]

Just want to add, Al, that you and your team members are widely respected as consistent examples of 'gracious professionals', both on and off the field. People with whom I have volunteered and worked, think very highly of you all!

[MissDaisyGirl]

I don't mean to steer this back to the negative amid all of these positive posts but I did want to tack on something to Mr. Ostrow's initial post.

When you do end up stereotyping a team in the way that Mr. Ostrow points out, you're not only putting another team down but you are putting that team's students down. What pains me the most as a fellow mentor of Miss Daisy is having to explain to one of my students why someone may have said something to them that was off color in the midst of an atmosphere of "gracious professionalism". If you're thinking about saying something out loud like this, don't say it at all, least of all within earshot of one of my students. No team member needs to hear that when they may have only been on the team a mere handful of months.

And finally, I can corroborate all that Mr. Ostrow has said. Even though I'm a fellow mentor, I still call him "Mr. O" because I am one of those 341 graduates he speaks of!

[Hallry]

I am disgusted that anyone would ever stereotype or criticize Miss Daisy. For those of who that have, or let me tell you a story:

Last year, a small group of our students wanted to try to go to IRI for the first time in our team's history. We were lucky enough to be invited, but now we had to get out there. I, at the time Co-C.E.O. and a junior-turning-senior on the team, was basically in charge of organizing the whole trip for us. Without 341's help, our trip to IRI would never have been possible. They not only offered us spare spots on their bus out there, but they also offered us room on their trailer if needed. Additionally, they ensured that a car of one of our parents would be safely locked up at their school while we were away. Mr. Ostrow and Team 341 made sure they could do everything possible to help us. We all felt completely comfortable in their hands. Their hospitality was so amazing and inspiring. I and the rest of our team that went to IRI can not show enough appreciation and gratitude towards your team. You made us feel right at home, and Team 1676 is extremely honored to call you our friends. There's nobody we'd rather spend a 12-hour bus ride with than you =).

If there is any team that truly embodies the gracious professionalism of FIRST, it's Daisy.

[JB]

As many others have said thank you for making this post, it gives some real insight to the history and the workings of Miss Daisy. Miss Daisy has been an inspiration to myself ever since I joined FIRST back in 2008. However, since my return as a mentor in 2011, I have truly seen how amazing your team, robots, off season events, and overall mentality is with a better regard.

Every year the fact that your team comes up with a simple but successful design and truly embraces the ideals of FIRST is a tribute to the hard work that is done by all of team 341's members. Building amazing robots out of simple materials such as Bosch extruded aluminum, that accomplish the game tasks so well, only attest to the fact that teams with minimal budgets can accomplish a desired game task and help to inspire all.

I know Miss Daisy has inspired myself and Team 1403 greatly, here is just one example. At the start of this season, after the game had been unveiled, we had a strategy session to determine what task we wanted to accomplish. One of the first questions asked was what will Miss Daisy do in autonomous, seeing as how in 2011 and 2012 team 341 had one of the best autonomous in first. We immediately knew that you guys would be going for a 7 disk and made it a design goals of ours. Unfortunately we were only able to accomplish a 5 disk autonomous instead of a 7 but it just goes to show how team 341 is an inspiration to other teams throughout FIRST.

Unfortunately the haters are always gonna hate and they're is absolutely nothing that you nor anyone else in FIRST can do about that, but just remember that the next time you hear something negative, another 100 people are thinking something positive.

Edit: Stereotyping is something that will always be associated with success whether it be in the business, the academic, or the FIRST world. In the FIRST world it is amplified because of the massive High's and Low's throughout the season. My only advice is to keep on enduring so that Team 341 can keep inspiring the students, mentors, volunteers, and sponsors throughout FIRST.

JB

[David Brinza]

Bashing of successful teams is so contrary to the culture of FIRST. Enough of the "haves and have nots" - especially in FIRST. Their will always be disparity in resources, but more resources don't define or guarantee a team's achievements.

Successful teams work hard. Miss Daisy sets a high bar for teams to shoot for, not shoot down. HOF teams have achieved their status by commitment of the team. Having deep pocket sponsors, incredible machine shops, armies of engineering mentors are not required in FIRST. The essential elements for success are dedicated mentors and students - you cannot buy those.

I met 341 in San Diego (2009) and was so impressed by their commitment to the program. They had a very good robot (won the regional, as I recall), but even a better team. Team 341 handed out their "Team in a Box" CD which helps any team (rookie or veteran) become stronger. I recall their Chairman's Award being announced in Atlanta (2010) and was so surprised they hadn't already won it.

Teams focused on getting more sponsors, machines, mentors and trophies might be overlooking the mission of engaging more students.

[Grim Tuesday]

No, no, I have the best Miss Daisy is awesome story! Back in Philadelphia 2010, we were the captains of the fourth alliance. Of course, daisy and Moe were on the first. When the semi finals rolled around, we were up against the best striker and full field shooter in that alliance. We were probably the one alliance there that could challenge the eventual champions for the crown. We were heartbroken when our defender sat motionless for a round with a broken crio. We called our time out but couldn't get them fixed in time.

To ensure the competition would be fair, Miss Daisy called their time out. Since they were up a match and this is technically illegal the myth (may be true) on our team is that they threatened to sit still a match with our partner off the field and the refs ended up letting them call the back to back time out.

In the end we lost 8-7 due to a silly penalty about our side panel detaching. But what I will always take away from that regional is how much of a class act Miss Daisy is. It was really the proof to watch them win rca then cca that same year.

341 is the team that, through their actions, taught me the meaning of gracious professionalism.

[CalTran]

Only on CD can a thread about a HOF team turn into a "flame war" on who has the best Miss Daisy helping story

[Steven Donow]

Originally Posted by Grim Tuesday

No, no, I have the best Miss Daisy is awesome story! Back in Philadelphia 2010, we were the captains of the fourth alliance. Of course, daisy and Moe were on the first. When the semi finals rolled around, we were up against the best striker and full field shooter in that alliance. We were probably the one alliance there that could challenge the eventual champions for the crown. We were heartbroken when our defender sat motionless for a round with a broken crio. We called our time out but couldn't get them fixed in time.

To ensure the competition would be fair, Miss Daisy called their time out. Since they were up a match and this is technically illegal the myth (may be true) on our team is that they threatened to sit still a match with our partner off the field and the refs ended up letting them call the back to back time out.

In the end we lost 8-7 due to a silly penalty about our side panel detaching. But what I will always take away from that regional is how much of a class act Miss Daisy is. It was really the proof to watch them win rca then cca that same year.

341 is the team that, through their actions, taught me the meaning of gracious professionalism.

Somewhere in Daisy's file archives there's a picture of an awkward, freshman me carrying a box out to our truck, trying to get through their crowd celebrating their Chairman's at that same event. Naive me was very unsure as to what all the hubbub was about

Of course I still desire a Daisy headband...

Sorry to derail this thread further into, "Let's tell our stories about Daisy!"

[D.Allred]

Originally Posted by OZ_341

[b]... In 2012, we built our best machine ever. Some visitors to our pit were visibly disappointed to find that our machine was a pile of extruded aluminum and urethane belting, just cleverly arranged and programmed. ...

Actually, I found that extremely inspiring. I used your 2012 "Behind the Design Process" to guide our students' design strategy this year. Thanks so much for sharing.

Our team enjoyed the opportunity to play with Miss Daisy and Team Mean Machine on the Newton field. Our 218 to 191 win was definitely one of this seasons highlights.

Keep up the great work!

David Allred
ROBOTZ Garage

[MechEng83]

Oh, to be the successful team that suffers from being stereotyped!

Unfortunately, this is the price for being an elite team (on or off the field). FIRST is at the vanguard of a culture change, but many people are not there yet. Jealousy and bitterness rear their ugly head again and again.

Don't be discouraged by the stereotype. Consider it a compliment in disguise. I appreciate seeing the story and explanation of team histories. As a coach, it allows me to show my students what can be accomplished with whatever resources you have, given the determination and resolve of dedicated students and mentors.

[OZ_341]

Thanks very much for the kind words. It really does mean so much to our team.
I just wanted to reinforce the original point, that any team can choose to have positive energy. It is truly a construct of the mind. If your team is not what you wish it to be, go out and make it happen.

Reach out to successful teams and ask them for help, rather than complain about them. I have never seen a successful team deny help to anyone. Learn from other models, work hard, and improve. It may take several years, but it will happen. Positive energy attracts positive people. Its totally up to you.

[Mike Marandola]

I know that Miss Daisy is a huge inspiration to our team. They are the perfect example of a team that works hard and becomes one of the best teams in the world.

[KrazyCarl92]

Well the return on investment for the effort spent clicking that hyperlink was huge.

Thank you.

[Jared Russell]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

From a growing team, let me ask you a question.

What is your biggest component to maintaining sustained excellence?

As a veteran in FIRST, I believe the continued success of the team is in the hands of mentors. This belief has served me well, and has only grown over the years.

However, I'm on a team that is very dynamic. A good chunk of our mentor base is college-level; a chunk that stands to grow in the coming years. With such a "volatile" mentor core, I'm wondering what factors other teams use to make sure they maintain a level of success for years to come?

- Sunny G.

I would take your belief one step further.

Students learn from, are inspired by, and emulate their mentors. A team with a solid mentor base helps to create a productive, inspired, and ultimately successful group of students.

Mentors learn from, are inspired by, and emulate each other. A team with a great lead mentor leads to a productive, inspired, and ultimately successful group of mentors.

Each level of the pyramid looks up at the next for inspiration and to grow (even within the student group it is obvious how much the rookies look up to the veterans...even if they won't admit it).

In other words, building sustained excellence happens when you start with the right pieces at the top...and pick up the rest of the pieces on your way.