FAHA: Disappointment in a Team's Lifecycle

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I would guess that this happens more often than anyone thinks. If you take a look at the teams that have split into two or more teams, internal strife could be a cause. If you think that the team is suffering, it likely is. A real honest and controlled discussion is warranted. It might be the kind of thing a few younger mentors talk over first with the sponsor and then open it to interested parties on the team. It should not be a bash fest but people should know that they need to bring concerns and solutions to the meeting. I think all teams go through these issues as sponsors see a need to do well, student involvement falls off, or a large number of students graduate and leave only younger students. Teams need to keep thinking about the impact on the students. I don't say this thinking we do it better than anyone. I say this because we struggle with our methods and solutions as any team should. I also don't believe there is any one right way to run a team. Ours seems to work pretty well with students working alongside mentors. I also know of some great teams that are truly student run and some that are mentor driven. We should weigh all factors when considering the team. Are the students having fun, learning new things, considering college after high school, and feel like they are part of a team? Do they know more today than when they joined, have they met new people, did they expand their horizons and do they take some responsibility? When we can answer yes to these questions, then we are doing OK. If we can do all this and still do well in competition then even better. When we stop asking ourselves the hard questions, whether as team leaders or in life, then we are failing.