Successes and Failures

Success and Failures

Here at True Balance Karate in Downers Grove, Illinois, we have a social-emotional learning program called True Character.

I’m Master H, the owner and chief instructor here at the studio. I have two master’s degrees in education, and we’ve developed this curriculum to meet the needs of our youngest students who are three or four and our oldest student who is 86.

This month, we are talking about teamwork. I work with others positively to reach our goals.

Failures

Today, we’re talking about how our team succeeds or fails and how our actions actually play a role in that.

Some things that might cause the team to fail:

I’d rather start with the negative and end on the positive side of things. Things that might cause the team to fail would be being selfish—doing only the things that you want to do without thinking about what the other team members need.

Let’s take throwing a party at our house as an example. We talked about how one of our teams might be our family. Picture this: You’ve got mom and dad, you, and your sibling. Mom and dad are working to prepare the food for a party, and you and your sibling are supposed to be cleaning up your toys in the toy room or living room.

Now, imagine your sibling decides to be selfish and takes their favorite toy, disappearing into their room to play while leaving you to clean up the whole mess.

Is it going to take twice as long for you to do that? Yes.
Are you going to be mad at your sibling for doing that? Absolutely.
Is there a possibility that it won’t be done by the time the party starts? That depends—do you have a half-hour to clean up, or do you have four hours?

Selfishness can cause the team to fail. If you take a moment and think about the impact of someone else’s actions, you might change your behavior to ensure you don’t do the same thing later.

Ignoring each other is another way for a team to fail.

Collaborating

Last week, I talked about how good teams are made up of active listeners. They don’t just share; they truly hear what others are saying. And that doesn’t mean hearing just to respond—it means hearing to understand.

A failing team is one where people are selfish, ignore suggestions from other team members, and insist on doing things their own way because they think they know best.

Other things that might cause a team to fail:

• Too many bosses—too many people being bossy.
• Team members who don’t do their fair share and are lazy.

Knowing what we know about teamwork and the things that might cause failure, we can put in place strategies to help our team be successful.

Some ways to build a successful team:

• Be positive. Have positive conversations. Ask, “How can we solve this?”
• Be very clear about roles and responsibilities. If needed, create a chart, graph, or list outlining each person’s jobs.
• When my kids were younger, I would write their tasks on post-it notes when preparing for a party. That way, everyone knew their role and worked together as a team.
• Practice positive communication.
• Take a moment to listen to each other’s ideas—not just to respond, but to understand. Someone else might have a great idea to make things more efficient, faster, or better.
• Make sure that fairness and kindness are priorities.

Positive Teamwork

Last month, we talked about having a positive attitude. All those positive attitude principles apply here too.

Ask yourself:

• Are you thinking of others?
• Are you listening to them?
• Are you fair and kind?
• Are you working together?
• Have you had positive, clear communication?

All of these things will help your team be successful.

Thanks, and I’ll see you on the mat!

True Balance Karate was founded in 2012 by Master Sue and Paul Helsdon.

We offer kids karate lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up. These lessons are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need — specialized for their age group — for school excellence and later success in life.

Our adult martial arts training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay) in shape, or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.

Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 630-663-2000. You can also contact us here. True Balance Karate is at 406 Ogden Ave Downers Grove Illinois, 60515 (next to CVS) Check out our Facebook!