Build Season Drama

[Austinmead]

Hey during the build season did anyone else have team drama, like between engineers and fabricators, or between mentors and kids, i wanna know if its just my team or if its happening everywhere.

[popnbrown]

It happens, It definetely happens. But the key thing to always remember is that you're all a team. That whatever is a result of those discussions/drama, you guys are still a team, and everything that people say about your team affects you, your engineer, your mentor, and your fellow student members.

Pretty much what I'm trying to say, is that drama, discussions, arguements, disagreements, always exist anywhere. But as a FIRST robotics team, as a member of an organization that strives on the principles of gracious professionalism and coopertition, you've got to solve your problems and continue. You've got to work for the greater good to reflect your team, so just be the bigger man.

Sorry for the long post.

--Sravan

[GaryVoshol]

Why would anyone want to air that dirty laundry here in public?

[santosh]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

Why would anyone want to air that dirty laundry here in public?

I dont see a team number, nor would i actively look for which team this is when i see that it is a student asking for help/advice on what to do. the fact that you are taking this as dirty laundry is more of an issue to me
The kid didnt put out any team number or anything like that.

But hey kid, yeah, stuff happens all the time. I try and tell my students that this is part of FIRST. You need to be able to overcome these and work together.
Things you learn during FIRST include time management, leadership, etc, but the biggest thing I learned was how to work with students/mentors with differing opinions/attitudes.

It happens on every team that I have started, mentored, or been a student on (I have been student or mentor of 4 Chairman's award winning teams, regional winning teams, etc. so it even happens on those types of teams too). And if it doesnt, I think that the kids are missing out on a possible learned lesson.
This is where a strong leadership group is also able to come in and diffuse the situation.
Good luck, if you need any help, feel free to pm me or maybe leadership.

[Austinmead]

alright thanks bro, if i need any help or advice ill be sure to ask you...

thanks

[BrendanB]

Biggest drama:

When all of the powertools in the shop broke on the Saturday of ship- chopsaw, bandsaw, drill press, table saw, and the hacksaw.
Not a fun weekend!

[JaneYoung]

The more organized a team becomes and the more that communication skills improve within the team, the less potential there is for continual drama. There may be occasions when emotions run high or conflict develops but good communication will help defuse or resolve those quickly, rather than let them fester.

Anytime there are 2 or more people involved in achieving a common goal, opportunity arises for sharing of opinions, ideas, suggestions, knowledge, and wisdom. Maturity plays a key role in how students and mentors resolve conflicts that arise in a team. Passion plays into the team makeup and it can help fuel inspiration and enthusiasm. It has to be guided so that it doesn't fuel unnecessary drama and stubbornness. Building a team is hard work and it is an ongoing process that never really ends.

Jane