Dear Team...
I had a discussion last week with Mrs. Zimnie about goals and missions last week. Everybody on this team has a different mission that they are trying to fulfill and it is pulling us in opposite directions. My mission as a leader is to create unity and for students to take ownership of the team. Recent events make me feel uneasy.
First off, if there is anyone on this team that can honestly say that they made a concerted fundraising effort, that they tried their best and did everything in their power for the good of the team, then you have a right to be upset. And not with the engineers or other upper leadership, but with your peers. If we do not get to go to a second regional, or to the championships, we have nobody to blame but ourselves. I will be the first to take responsibility and say that I did not do my job. In my forum signature I have "Respect is earned. Attitude reflects leadership. Lead by example." I could have trieded harder. However, the finger pointing ends here. Take ownership. Of the successes and of the failures. Of all of the parts of the team, including the fundraising. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. It's your life and your team. Are you going to spend the coming weeks pointing the finger and being angry or are you going to get in gear and start fundraising.
Meanwhile, I want to hear no more griping about other members of the team. I know I was guilty of this as well and I regret it. Please learn from my mistakes. Nobody can control your life unless you let them. It's week five of build and we are all tired and stressed. At some point, everyone is going to hear some words of criticism. You may not agree with everything that someone else says but complete agreement is rare anyway. Instead of brooding over the negative aspects think about what they were trying to tell you. They're trying to help, even if they don't have the right words. I hardly ever feel like I have the right words. If you have an issue with someone else's actions, talk to them in private. If you feel uncomfortable doing so, come to me, or to another leader who can help you. Do not advertise your criticism to the world. That is not how a team reacts.
Did anyone ever consider that there might be more to this program than just building a robot? There is a deeper meaning. If there's anyone that didn't watch the kickoff speeches, or anyone that has forgotten them, go look up the video on the NASA site. That is just a small fraction of the bigger picture.
This is a team, act like one.
InvictusOut of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
-William Ernest Henley
First off, if there is anyone on this team that can honestly say that they made a concerted fundraising effort, that they tried their best and did everything in their power for the good of the team, then you have a right to be upset. And not with the engineers or other upper leadership, but with your peers. If we do not get to go to a second regional, or to the championships, we have nobody to blame but ourselves. I will be the first to take responsibility and say that I did not do my job. In my forum signature I have "Respect is earned. Attitude reflects leadership. Lead by example." I could have trieded harder. However, the finger pointing ends here. Take ownership. Of the successes and of the failures. Of all of the parts of the team, including the fundraising. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. It's your life and your team. Are you going to spend the coming weeks pointing the finger and being angry or are you going to get in gear and start fundraising.
Meanwhile, I want to hear no more griping about other members of the team. I know I was guilty of this as well and I regret it. Please learn from my mistakes. Nobody can control your life unless you let them. It's week five of build and we are all tired and stressed. At some point, everyone is going to hear some words of criticism. You may not agree with everything that someone else says but complete agreement is rare anyway. Instead of brooding over the negative aspects think about what they were trying to tell you. They're trying to help, even if they don't have the right words. I hardly ever feel like I have the right words. If you have an issue with someone else's actions, talk to them in private. If you feel uncomfortable doing so, come to me, or to another leader who can help you. Do not advertise your criticism to the world. That is not how a team reacts.
Did anyone ever consider that there might be more to this program than just building a robot? There is a deeper meaning. If there's anyone that didn't watch the kickoff speeches, or anyone that has forgotten them, go look up the video on the NASA site. That is just a small fraction of the bigger picture.
This is a team, act like one.
InvictusOut of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
-William Ernest Henley