The Stereotyping of Successful Teams

[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.