This is incredibly sad to see, especially with how FRC events are generally structured. Here’s a few things I can say about what I’m seeing here that might be of help:
If the mentors are being a legitimate problem/detriment to the team instead of helping to lead ideas, then you need to let someone know. Even if there aren’t many possible contenders for team mentors, tell a higher up about what your current ones are doing wrong and see if they can help figure out the issue.
If the team is putting serious stress on you and/or other team members, then you shouldn’t be afraid to quit. Yes, it may be a bit of a big expression, but it can and will let the others know that there are serious problems that needs to be addressed. If they can’t get the work done without a specific group because everyone else is being too lazy or apathetic, then at this point, that’s their own problem. Their reliance on you does not give them the right to push you well past your limits.
Underappreciated or undervalued work could most likely be sorted out with a team meeting or some kind of general conversation about it. Morale is especially important to have in a team, and based on the clear lack of it here (which is not at all your fault), it needs to be addressed before the team really starts to suffer. Find a leader or someone that you trust to have everyone focus and listen so that you can mitigate the amount of team members tuning it out. They need to know how important the motivation from compliments can be - just as how people need to remember that missteps still move forward.
Unfortunately, this is not a one-off issue. Several things such as this occur in multiple teams, especially during build season due to the nature of the competitions. Even so, it’s unfortunate to see that it can get this bad.
I’m so sorry that you and the other competent team members have to put up with this. It’s always disappointing to see something that’s supposed to be engaging and fun turn into a whirlpool of arguments and accusations. Hopefully a few of the things I mentioned above can be of help, but even if not, I hope your issues get resolved. And remember - if you know that you’re frustrated and you’re truly done, then do what your gut tells you.
It happens, but NO, that’s not the way it’s supposed to be. I don’t know your fellow students, but I wouldn’t be so quick to put this on them. Our students are way more mature than I and my peers were way back when we were in HS.
Team culture starts with mentors and IMO is their most important responsibility – nothing is more important than a physically and psychologically safe and welcoming environment. You have hit upon the key aspects (unfortunately via negative examples).
Respect for everyone, their skills and contributions is essential. We were all clueless beginners once. Teach, don’t denigrate.
Many hands make light work and everyone has the ability to contribute. It is normal that some people will put in more hours than others, though – everyone has different other responsibilities. However it is critical that everyone remember that Robotics is (at best) a fourth tier activity (1 self care, 2 family, 3 school, 4 extracurriculars lie robotics).
We expect that our students will progress through Learn > Do > Teach > Lead. If a student’s work is not up to expectations, then it is a Teaching/Leading issue, not a Learning/Doing issue.
However, failure is not only an option, it is inevitable as none of us are perfect. The important thing is a culture that forgoes blame and treats it as an opportunity to learn and improve as a team.
Developing and then living by a shared set of team values is critical and takes a conscious and continuous effort by everyone, but especially mentors and student leaders.
Trouble recruiting and students quitting are huge red flags.
If your mentors are unwilling/incapable of creating a similar team environment, then I am sorry to say your team is probably a lost cause.
This is not on you. You [and the other members] need to do what is right by you (remember: tier 1: self care). Perhaps this will be the wake up call that gets the mentors to turn the team around.
I’m so sorry this is happening. Drama can and does happen everywhere but the goal is to keep it minimal, identify and address the issues, and train away from it. Your experiences sound like they’re on the more intense end of the spectrum.
Give yourself and your friends permission to walk away if you are not finding a way to enjoy this and have a quality experience. If the team will not survive without it’s most unhappy participants, maybe that’s okay.
If you are not ready to step away yet, start setting some boundaries for yourself. Make it clear what aspects of the build you will take on (and under what circumstances) and communicate it. “I can get the pneumatics roughed out by week 3 if the Z is complete by Friday of week 2. I won’t be able to work on electrical.”
If most people on the team are feeling parts of this and are impacted, as a group, set behavior guidelines. Try to find a time to create them when it isn’t in response to a specific issue. This is an agreement that is signed by everyone on the team. It’s not magic and won’t solve everything but setting expectations and reviewing them occasionally as a group (kickoff day review, pre-comp team review) gets you closer.
There are some good leadership podcasts/ted talks/books by Brene Brown. Daring Greatly offers perspectives on teams and leadership that might be a good resource, even beyond your team issues.
I have a write up, Rules of Engagement, on how to approach difficult conversations. Let me know if you think it would help and I’ll figure out how to make it available to you.
I need you to understand that i just quit my team for literally every reason you just listed. I made a throwaway cheif delphi account with a random email just to tell you this. I have gone through almost the exact same thing you are going through right now, and i went through it for 3 years. Every year, i wanted to quit, but i stayed because i hoped it would get better. I quit my team 3 days ago because i knew it wouldn’t. I gave my everything to that team. Hundreds of hours. Do you know what i did? all i could do was hand people tools or vacuum the field because i cared about the team. 3 days ago i decided it wasn’t going to get better. I decided it wasn’t work crippling anxiety during the months of January through may. So i quit. This post means the world to me. I have wanted to quit my team for years, but i stayed because i love FIRST and i love robotics competitions, and my heart aches knowing i wont be apart of it anymore. Please let me know if you want to talk more about this. Because it truly does suck.
I’m sorry to hear that the leadership on your team is not listening to sound and well educated advice.
I am a mentor, so my opinions might be irrelevant, but I remember the one time there was drama on my old team (4814) and how it made me feel. The following season, I reformed 3739 so that I could build the work culture from the ground up. No more all nighters, no more fights. We did not do well, but I can honestly say that I was happier coming in last at a regional with my little community team than being on a highly competitive team.
All this to say that if you feel you are not being heard, you are not alone on your team. Talk to your team partners to see how they feel and potentially what resources are available for you to make the change you want to. Whether it means a referendum on the team, a mass exodus, or the creation of a new veteran team to build a lifestyle and team that works for you in your situation.
So sorry that is tough and thank you for sharing
I saw a thing a few days ago (probally Dr. K), talking about a romantic relationships study, where people rated where they were the happiest. Most happy was in a healthy relationship, second most was single, least happy was in an unhealthy relationship. Which means leaving an unhealthy relationship is an upgrade. Seems obvious from the outside of course. This all probably applies to team dynamics as well. I can’t see why not, people and relationships are not easy, maybe even harder for those who tend “nerdy”.
(As an aside for others, if you already have a CD account the mods can give you anonymous privileges (i.e. posted by username Anonymous10) )
