Lessons From My Son…

A couple of weekends ago, I watched my son and his team CYBERHEART-6009 in action at the FIRST Robotics Ontario District Ryerson University Event. The competition draws over 30,000 high school students from 39 countries around the world to compete in the ultimate celebration of mind and action, science and technology. Ontario alone has close to 200 teams of the 1,394 participating. For me, this was exciting and an experience filled with inspiration and learning. 

How it Works

Each team is required to build and drive a robot within a rigid framework and criteria, while following stringent competition rules. Students from grades 9 to 12 work in teams. The way the competition is structured is that three random teams are thrown together in an alliance to compete against three others in another alliance. Alliances change constantly - a team that was part of your alliance in one match can become a competitor in the next. 

I observed that very quickly teams began to play from their strengths in some alliances, while in other alliances teams played from their weaknesses. This competition ultimately promotes STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) but more importantly, it was clearly evident that what students really needed to demonstrate were the soft skills of teamwork, communication, collaboration, punctuality, critical thinking, adaptability and creativity; the very skills they will need in any career of their choice and the skills that employers actively look for.

What I Learned

I noticed how teams within alliances would constantly be switched around, so team members realized pretty quickly that treating one another with respect and fairness was critical for their success, as a competing team could very well become a part of their own alliance at some point. 

Isn’t this similar to the experiences we encounter within our own places of work? Team members rise through the ranks and a person you once mentored could one day be your leader. Undoubtedly, working with respect and fairness are basics tenets that can make or break careers.

I observed that teams within an alliance recognized that they were only as strong as their weakest link, and this motivated team members to strategize in ways that complemented their overall performance, by helping the weaker teams within their alliance. This was teamwork in action, and something we as leaders should ensure our teams practice each and every day.

I watched intently as creative exchanges, improvements, and the sharing of technology took centre stage as teams worked with each other. I heard in disbelief that CYBERHEART-6009 was up for their robot inspection but were missing a key member of their team, as he had left to assist another team in dire need. The willingness to put aside their own individual agendas to support others for the greater purpose was impressive and divine.

Gracious Professionalism

Then I was introduced to “Gracious Professionalism.” A term coined by Dr. Woodie Flowers and an integral part of the ethos of FIRST, Gracious Professionalism refers to “a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and teams.” With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not mutually exclusive. I was heartened to see these youngsters work so well at embracing this value by demonstrating that one can compete like crazy yet treat another person with respect and kindness in the process.

I could see many parallels between this event and the arena of work I play in at Investment Planning Counsel. I realized that our teams function beautifully most of the time and that there is still much for me to learn, including the Gracious Professionalism that my son, his team CYBERHEART-6009, and the other teams competing in the FIRST Robotics demonstrated so well.

This was truly a real life lesson for me, wherein the student became the teacher…