Value & Credibility of 4th robots on an Alliance

[dirtbikerxz]

I just remembered a question I had from all of this talk about 4th robots.
People give me advice on this :

Say for example my team was picked by another team for their alliance. We get to a match where I STRONGLY believe that a field setup of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th bot would have a better chance of winning that match (the captain bot sits out), how would I approach the alliance captains and propose my idea to them without sounding rude?

[Ernst]

Originally Posted by dirtbikerxz

I just remembered a question I had from all of this talk about 4th robots.
People give me advice on this :

Say for example by team was picked by another team for their alliance. We get to a match where I STRONGLY believe that a field setup of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th bot would have a better chance of winning that match (the captain bot sits out), how would I approach the alliance captains and propose my idea to them without sounding rude?

I think that's where good scouting data can come into play. It's one thing to go to an alliance strategy meeting with just a strong belief; it's another to go with a strong belief backed up by spreadsheets and binders full of robot and match data. It's a lot harder to argue with someone who can actually support what they're saying.

[dubiousSwain]

Originally Posted by dirtbikerxz

I just remembered a question I had from all of this talk about 4th robots.
People give me advice on this :

Say for example my team was picked by another team for their alliance. We get to a match where I STRONGLY believe that a field setup of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th bot would have a better chance of winning that match (the captain bot sits out), how would I approach the alliance captains and propose my idea to them without sounding rude?

I have personally struggled with this question before. I am of the opinion that the alliance captain has earned their spot and their judgement should not be subordinated, but I it is perfectly appropriate to bring this up in a strategy meeting. As long as you are respectful and have the best interests of your alliance as a whole in mind, you owe your alliance the diligence of making your opinion known.

However, once the decision is made, it should not be publicly questioned. Doing so hurts the unity of the alliance and ultimately decreases your chances of winning.

This is not just a situation for robotics. You should keep this in mind whenever dealing with superiors and subordinates. I remember a great quote from Kingsmen: The Secret Service:

Originally Posted by Merlin

No no no. You don't talk to me like that. If you have a complaint, you come here and whisper it in my ear.
...
You need to get that chip off your shoulder.

This is especially important when dealing with children. There is nothing worse to a child than being embarrassed in front of their peers. My personal motto is "Praise in public, discipline in private"

Ultimately it comes down to tact. Tl;Dr: Don't air your dirty laundry in public.