To the Boys who are going for the LDC2 10-11 Dec (Sat-Sun)   :
Reporting Time: 0730 hrs Day 1 (Sat) School
Dismissal Time: 1800 hrs Day 2 (Sun)
Venue:  BB/GB Campsite, 1200 Sembawang Road, Singapore 758526
Attire:  BB Full Uniform

Equipment list

• Identity card (NRIC, school ID or ezlink card)
• Sufficient money for your travelling
• Sufficient change of clothes (including 1 extra set of Blue BB Polo T-shirt)
• Track shoes with socks
• Toiletries and slippers
• Poncho
• PT Kit
• Backpack or field pack, with identification tag
• Water bottle (at least 1.5 litres)
• Torch light with spare batteries
• Insect Repellent (spray/tube type)
• Writing materials

There will be a written assessment for all trainees. Please re-familiarise yourself with the basic BB knowledge that can be found in pages 4-15 and page 31 of the new Seniors Programme Handbook for Boys (March 2011) as well as lessons on LDC I.
Download your LDC2 Pre Course Reading Material on the link below. just paste the url into the navigation toolbar.
http://bb.swiiit.com/wbn/slot/pagetree/dn01/82e217dfc_u9705.doc

All other personal items are optional. Handphones will not be allowed to be used during the course. Valuables are brought entirely at your own risk. 
Boys must also report in proper haircut, which is defined as hair that is not artificially coloured, and does not touch the ears, eyebrows and collar. Fingernails must also be short and clean.


Junji

BBQ

Venue: Aloha Netheravon Terraces A (http://g.co/maps/74gbp)
A copy of the map is on Mr Bay's Facebook Wall.
Take bus 29 from Changi village terminal, alternatively, you can take a free shuttle service offered by Aloha (Check Aloha website for the timing).

Time: 5pm onwards

Pls bring $10 for BBQ thanks

LDC 2

Those who have not given me your LDC 2 consent forms + $25 please come to XMS this saturday 26 november to pass me your consent forms and money. Please come at 0930.

SGT Jesmond

SOP for BBSGB

SOP

     1.  Booths should be opened by 11 am daily, form 23 November to 21 December. It will be opened until 8.30 pm daily.

     2.)  Boys are to stay at the booths to collect the food items, which will be donated by the general public. Collected food items will be stored in the donation box and the cages provided by NTUC

     3.)  Collected food items that have expired are to be kept at a corner, separated from the rest of the food items, until after the booth is closed, then proceed to wrap it up in another bag. This bag must be handed over to the collection team. DO NOT dispose any food items.

     4.)  Lunch will not be provided, Boys are allowed to go into NTUC to purchase items to eat or bring their own food. Boys are to leave the booth, leaving the other Boy alone, to eat the food he has purchased. Boys have half and hour each to eat and return to the booth. Dinner would be the same.

     5.)  Do not tamper with the coin tins. At all times, you are not to hand over the coin tins to any people.

     6.)  At around 6pm, an NCO from our Company will collect the coin tins from you, but you are to continue collecting food items until 8.30pm

     7.)  This is a list of items we are collecting:

•                Rice

•                Milo

•                Cooking Oil

•                Biscuits

•                Beverages
(E.g. Coffee/Tea, Milk Powder etc)

•                Condiments/Seasonings
(E.g. Soya Sauce, Salt, Sugar, Tomato/Chilli Sauce)

•                Halal Canned Food

•                Instant Noodles

•                Toiletries
(E.g. Toothbrush/Toothpaste, Soap, Bath Towels, Detergent, Laundry/Dishwashing, Dettol)

• other food items

Do note that we do not collect any used textbooks, shirts or electronic items.

Food for Thought

STRAITS TIMES 19 NOV
Click on the image for clearer picture

BBSGB

Hello, please note that this shall be the finale schedule, if you have any problems, feel free to contact me. However, if you would like to change dates, please look for a date suitable to you and ask the person for a change of date. Please inform me if the change occurs. thanks

SGT Ivan

The Captain Speaks...

Dear Boys, Instructors and Officers

Indeed it has been very fast isn't it? In a month's time, we will be busy preparing for Christmas, celebrating Christmas and followed by a New 2012!

Let me recap what 45th has done this year:

• CCA Orientation in Jan
• BB Day/ Senior Proficiency Award Presentation
• Swimming
• RTC/LDC
• BB Week
• 1 Star Kayaking
• Enrolment Service/ Presentation of Colour
• CTC
• Transformer movie
• Athletics
• BB CARES
• Stage 3 Assessment
• (Upcoming) BB Share-A-Gift
• (Upcoming) BB Chalet and BBQ
• numerous parades

This is not inclusive of 2 annual competitions (BB Blaze and BB Character Quest) and school events such as Champions Day, X-Country and etc etc.

I would like to ask 2 simple questions.

Boys, this is what you have gone through. The first question I want to ask is: Did you know that in order for the activities to be carried out successfully, your seniors (e.g this year and last year NCO Council), instructors and teachers had to ensure that everything was running smoothly? 

Here's a kudos to the unsung heroes - the group of senior Boys, instructors and officers (including teacher officers) - for their dedication and hardwork for ensuring that whatever that was planned was carried out. I know everyone has their own commitment outside of 45th, but the fact is that we see each other week after week means that we had dedicated part of our time to come together as a Company.

My next question is, how can YOU contribute to the success of 45th? Or at least, how can you ensure that the Company is running and meeting its intended objectives?

Boys, your are not just merely participating in the activities blindly. Every activities and lessons (and even punishments) have its intended objective. Not clear what is the objective of the lesson? Ask your seniors and/or instructors and officers.

There are also several things that we have always emphasised - several things taught in BB cant be learnt in classroom. By this I mean that BB exist as a Co-Curricular Activity, which is to complement what the current teachers are doing in classroom. So, several skills such as servitude, leadership skills, communication skills and even lessons drawn from the Bible cannot be learnt outside. Some people had told me that they began to see how they had benefited from BB only after they had graduated. Don't be like them, start to see the values now!

So what do I expect from you Boys? I hope to see the following, 

-1. Maturity in your own character. - As you grow up, I hope to see you knowing what are the character traits (types) that are important, and learn to emulate (develop and show) it.

-2. Willing to participate in activities. - Almost all activities requires planning and hard work from your seniors, instructors or officers. Show your appreciation for them and 45th by participating in it. I also wish to state that officers and instructors are not perfect too, so we will definitely welcome feedback so as to improve the experience for the future batches. 

-3. Show your initiatives. -Take the opportunity to hone your leadership and social skills while you are young. This set of skills will become useful when you work next time.

So, some of your may ask, what can you expect from 45th? (This will be a secret and revealed during the Captain's Address next year)

Instructors and officers, allow me to express my gratitude (again) for your service this year. Alot of changes are occurring at HQ level (in terms of direction and programme) and are pushed down to the company level. Thus, there are several changes that had occurred or will be occurring next year. I appreciate the feedback given and will discuss with everyone during officers planning session in 1st December. Let's take a break and recharge for next year. Details for 1st and 2nd December will be sent via a separate email.

LTA Bay Qin Yao

Captain, 45th Singapore Company

BBSGB

Hello Boys, please check through the dates of your duties in the box below, if you cannot make it on the day i have place you on, please contact me at 96431610, please tell me your name when you message me thanks.

SGT Ivan Eng

Reaching The Last Lap..

Dearest Sec 3s. It has been a really fun and great experience with all of you. Soon, you will reach the last lap of leadership, CCAs will step down, prepare for your EOYs and off you go, starting of your new phase in life. Off to another school which is totally remote. It's reaching the last lap of your days in secondary school and in 45th. You will be going to face the society, going to a school which is totally not protective as compared to your secondary school. You pay for your own consequences, you make your own decisions. More or less deciding for your own. Freedom is all you got.

Going onto the right track of your life or to go onto the other side track of your life, it's a test for you. Can you resist the temptation to do something wrong? Can you resist the temptation of "Pon Tang-ing" school? Can you resist the temptation when your friends persuade you to have a puff of cigarette, have a taste of drugs and defy your parents? You make your own decision unlike secondary school life, you have no choice. The DM will come after you if you did not attend school with no valid reason. Come after you if you smokes, drugs, fights ETC.. WHY?

Rational

Why? Why must the school enforce so many rules, being so strict with us, being so protective over us? WHY?! Simply because WE ATTEND SCHOOL TO NOT ONLY GAIN KNOWLEDGE IN THE BOOKS, BUT ALSO TO BUILD UP YOUR CHARACTER. Why must be abide by the rule? Simply because simple rules you cannot follow, how are you going to abide by the LAW? The rule is still the rule, No means No. THINK* What happens if there is no rule in the school?! Anyone can just bully anyone, beat up anyone. The whole is going to be chaotic. How are you going to gain knowledge and build up your character? What is going to happen when there is no LAW? Killing a human will be as usual as killing an ant. Everybody has to follow the rule, the law. You break it, you face the consequences ALONE. You faith lies in your hand. You choose.

NCO Council

SGTs, Ask yourself what have you learn so far? Are you treating your authority as a Position or as a Role? It's reaching the last lap of your leadership already. Make it worthwhile or not? Are you following your dreams or are you realizing your dreams?

Lastly

I won't be able to be in parade as much because of my work commitment. I'll try my best to be in the parade thou. All the best in your exams and may God bless you.

SCL Poh Ding Han,

Drills 2 Practical Test

Gd'day,

here's some instructions for the drills stage 2 practical test. We'll be starting with the commanding component this sat (16 sept). I won't be around for the test, and instructors hongyou, marcus and gasper will be your assessors.

Remember that you'll need to give full words of commands for the test and do prepare yourselves mentally for the test and recall how each parts of the words of command are supposed to be given (i.e. your pauses and how long you should drag for cautionary words of command)

I've attached the grading criteria for your reference.

seems like the image isn't clear, but generally it's your confidence level, command and control (which include words of command) and your turn out.

do tell your friends about the drill test and that it's commanding component this week.

Mr Yap

First Aid 1 Re-Test

Date: 17.09.2011 (Sat)
Theory Test

You will be having your retest. Sec 1s, its your last chance. Practical test will be on the next parade.

SCL Poh Ding Han,

Are you managing your stressors well? :)

Some tips here:)

Mr Bay

Founders Man Application(s)

Hi,

Just some words for those who are taking this prestige award. Ask yourself this question, "Am i taking this award to help the coy to earn some points for JM fraser? Am i taking this award because its the highest and most honourable award?"

Well, i gave up attaining this award. I wanted it so badly, this is the highest award one can get. Mock test was around the corner, officers and instructors made efforts to do up the mock test and preparing us. Did i studied or prepare for it? NO. On the 2nd half of the day that we had our mock test, i realize that, i don't deserve this award. Like what our precious captain, Mr. Authur Lim said, " Are you Finding the way man, or Founders Man?" I asked myself, and i know it deep in me that im Finding my way man. Im finding my way to come back to the correct path, to overcome temptation, to be obedient and have self-discipline. I told Mr. Bay, i don't want it and i want to give up. As usual, he will persuade me, to carry on. I jolly well know that, even thou i attain this award, i won't be as joyful as it will seems to be, because i have not found my way back then. Ask, ask yourself if you really want to attain this award? Than you have to put in effort, and do things willingly. The award is just a piece of material, It is always the Journey that counts. You don't have to stress yourself when you already have so much with you. Why does this award requires you to have this skills, that skills. Hours and hours of C.I.P? WHY? Because we want you to learn through the journey along with your way up to this award. Afterall, it is still how, what you learnt.

For me, i don't have this award, but im glad that i'm able to take charge and grow together with a platoon, to be able to serve on in this Company. To be able to attend parade every week, seeing every batch come and go. Seeing them growing up its like seeing a bean growing its sprout. Yes i do not have Founders Man, but i have more than what a Founders Man could have, a Platoon, a Squad, Officers and Instructors to guide me through my life, My peers there to always readily support and encourage me. What i'm trying to emphasis is that, you don't have to attain Founders Man award in order to be one. You do not have to fork out so much time for Founders Man and making yourself very stress over juggling with Family, school and awards. Ultimately, we are here to guide you through your way as a young teenagers, to go through with you. "Nurture youths" will always be with us. Internal Gold. Something that will stay with you throughout your years, and its a gold that would not RUST.

Lastly, on a side note, happy Mid-Autmn my beloved Boys', Officers and Instructors and peers. Good day, good week, good month and good year ahead!

SCL Poh Ding Han,

Citizenship Presentation

Hi Boys

For Citizenship 2 and 3, I need the you to finalise your presentation and present this Saturday.

Mr Bay

Changes for tomorrow please take note.

Reporting time will be 0730 at Xinmin Secondary School. Attire will still be pole tee and shorts.

SGT Jesmond

For the Boys taking part in Character Quest please meet at Potong Pasir Mrt on this saturday (10 September 2011) at 0740. The attire will be Pt Kit (BB Polo).

Please finish up on the preparation of Character Quest.

SGT Jun Ji

CQ Teams 2011

The finalised teams of Character Quest 2011 are being listed below.

Team A
Jesmond
Jacky
Jerrell
Zi Ming
Reserve: Yee Lok

Team B
Ian
Zheng Ying
Dylan
Kerry
Reserve: Jowin

Team C
Jun Ji
Chuan Tai
Daniel
Jia Han
Reserve: Javen

SGT Jun Ji

CQ Final Revision

Hi everyone

The content covered for the final revision includes the whole book of Luke and memory verses.

Mr Bay

Plt 1 you guys will have your First Aid test this Saturday too. Test format will be written, oral and practical. Practical includes bandage and CPR. Passing mark will be 75%. I expect no failures.

So please study for First Aid and Citizenship. Thanks

SGT Jesmond

Citizenship 1

Platoon 1 please take note that there is citizenship 1 test this Saturday. Slides will be uploaded please read through and study for the test. Heres the link to download the powerpoint http://t.co/Pl7isVs

SGT Jesmond

Important Dates for Platoon 3

Hi Platoon 3

Here is a list of important dates. (FAA denotes for Founders Award Applicants only)

LDC2: LDC 204/11 from 10-11 Dec (Sat and Sun) ($10/person, absentee without valid reason will have to pay $60)

FAA stage 3 assessment: 5th Nov 2011

FAA share a gift project (each slot will mean a duty for 3 days e.g. if you sign up 23rd Nov, then it will be 23,24 and 25th Nov)- as of 30th Aug

23 Nov 2011 (19 Vacancy)
Closing Date: 25 Nov 2011


29 Nov 2011 (8 Vacancy)
Closing Date: 1 Dec 2011


2 Dec 2011 (9 Vacancy)
Closing Date: 4 Dec 2011


5 Dec 2011 (24 Vacancy)
Closing Date: 7 Dec 2011


8 Dec 2011 (20 Vacancy)
Closing Date: 10 Dec 2011


11 Dec 2011 (33 Vacancy)
Closing Date: 13 Dec 2011


14 Dec 2011 (23 Vacancy)
Closing Date: 16 Dec 2011


17 Dec 2011 (11 Vacancy)
Closing Date: 19 Dec 2011


20 Dec 2011 (22 Vacancy)
Closing Date: 22 Dec 2011

Jesmond, please help me pass the message to the rest of platoon 3.

Mr Bay

Exams

Hi Boys

I know exams are coming, so i decided to post some study tips for your.

Mr Bay

Citizenship for platoon 2&3

Please note that you have to do finish up to checkpoint 4d of your valuesventure project and do a short presentation on what you have researched on during the next parade (3rd sept).

Also,

Ivan Eng, Daniel Ng, Ashley please do up your valuesventure to 3d ASAP.

Any queries can come ask me.

-weijian

Xiang Wei, Qing en, Kar Aip, Zi Ming and Dylan you guys are taking your Drills 2 theory on Wednesday.

SGT Jesmond

CQ Training/Preparation

Hi CQ teams

Due to some miscommunication, we are not able to have training today. Please note that the next training is on 30th Aug 2011, 9am, Blk 650 (opp xinmin). Please do not be late.

I have also placed an additional reading/commentary for you to read (and clarify your doubts) in the box below. Do raise questions if you are unsure of anything.

Mr Bay

Wednesday Parade

This Wednesday (24 August 2011) will be Drills 2 Theory test for plt 2 and those who failed drills 2. Xiang Wei, Royston, Qing En, Shuan and Chun Jiang will have to come back for drills 2.

Attire: Full u

Time: 3pm-6pm

SGT Jesmond

CQ teams

This is the CQ Teams

Team 1	Team 2	Team 3
Jesmond Kweh	Ian Lim	See Jun Ji
Jerrel Tng	Dylan Teo	Ho Jia Han
Foo Zi Ming	Ong Zheng Ying	Javen Tan
Chan Yee Lok	Jowin Koh	Daniel Ng
Jacky Seow	Kerry	Tan Chuan Tai

SGT Jesmond

CQ Test

Hi Boys

Gentle reminder: We will be going through Chap 1-8 tomorrow.

Mr Bay

Reminder to CQ team there is training this Saturday please read up and bring your CQ notes. Thanks

SGT Jesmond

CQ Info

Hi everyone

Here's the info:

Area of focus:

oCSI: Investigating HIStory

oLuke (focus on Chapter 4-19)

oLessons about Jesus' love and sacrifice

Competition Format

o Part 1: Indoor Segment (50%)

o 1hour Written Paper (4 sections)

nMCQ

nTrue or False

nStructured questions (based on parables)

nFacebook Page

          o Part 2: Outdoor Segment (50%)

          o3-hour Investigation Crime Scene

          o Games stations format

Mr Bay

Athletics

Hi Boys for next's week parade you guys are going to attempt the athletics badge. There will be 4 events 100m, 200m, 400m and 1500m. The two MAIN events would be the 100m and 200m. These two events are what you guys are going to attempt. In case you do not pass, you may try the 400m and 1500m. You have to pass 2 events to earn the badge. The timings are below

	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3
100m	15 seconds	14 seconds	13 seconds
200m	33 seconds	32 seconds	30 seconds
400m	75 seconds	69 seconds	64 seconds
1500m	7min 53 seconds	7min 10 seconds	6min 50 seconds

SGT Jesmond

*Note that you can get stage 3 straight away if you are fast enough!

FW: Why Teams Work

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Why Teams Work By Tim Elmore Stop and think about what makes you marvel. My guess is—not much. It takes a lot to "wow" us today. However, I bet I know something that moves you every time you see it. Outstanding teamwork. After informally polling hundreds of people during my travels around the world, I discovered the most inspiring act is the sight of a group of people who, over time, become a team and pull off something they could've never achieved as a set of individuals. Consider the man-made wonders of the world. They inspire us because we know they required teamwork. None of them could have been built alone: The Pyramids in Egypt. The Great Wall of China. The Eiffel Tower in France. While we all love stories of rugged individual accomplishment, we celebrate even more the achievement of teams. Case in point. Lebron James already enjoyed personal achievement with the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning the MVP trophy twice. He moved to Miami because he wanted a championship more than a trophy. It's been said so much its cliché, but it's still true: everyone wants to be part of something bigger than they are. I believe authentic teamwork is stunning to us because while we understand the psychology of it—we experience it less than in the past. Our lives often don't reflect that we even need each other. Why is genuine teamwork rare? Few great NCAA athletes remain in college a full four years. It's difficult to experience rich teamwork in a short amount of time. Professional sports foster a "free agent mindset" which prevents players from mentally settling into one team or franchise. Few lay down roots. Great athletes have agents that lobby for individual benefits and rewards, not for team or shared rewards. It's all about the individual not the whole. Parents push for their own kid to get the limelight or the big break; few see the big picture and teach the honor of playing any part of something bigger. What Separates Teams From Groups? So what makes for great teamwork? What happens when a group of athletes or musicians or employees transform themselves into a team, that experiences synergy and achieves far more than the sum total of all their parts? My friend, Winkie Pratney, shared an idea with me years ago that I want to build upon and use to answer this question: what makes for great teams? 1. A Sense of Destiny. Great teams experience, either immediately or over time, the inward sense that they are destined for greatness. This spirit is difficult to measure and impossible to conjure up artificially, but it moves teammates to greater performance than they're capable of without it. In 2004, the Detroit Pistons shocked the world by beating the more talented Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA championship. They appeared far more hungry than the champion Lakers. This team of athletes spoke of a "sense of destiny" that pushed them to do the impossible. While teams must possess talent, great team performance is more about perception than potential. They believe its possible to upset the better opponents. 2. A Sense of Family. Great teams always create a family atmosphere among the members. Love for each other goes beyond the playing field or the office. They serve each other and protect one another beyond their working hours. This is what drove Pee Wee Reese to look out for Jackie Robinson in 1946. Those Dodgers became a blended family. In 2002, the Cinderella team of baseball, the Anaheim Angels, won the World Series. They finished 46 games out of first place the year before. What happened? This team of free agents, not superstars, gelled in April as manager Mike Soccia began rewarding and fining players based on whether they sacrificed for each other. This built incredible trust among them. They soon learned that great teams are more about trust than talent. It paid off. 3. A Militant Spirit. Finally, great teams cultivate a "do whatever it takes" attitude. It's a radical passion to find a way to win; to extend themselves and push for more than they felt they could produce. It usually stems from a hunger to win a championship not a trophy. I mentioned Lebron James earlier. One may presume that a team with James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh would trample any other NBA team. Not necessarily. Winning has become more difficult than they assumed. Why? Three superstars used to scoring most of the points for their previous teams have to adjust to playing second fiddle. It's the hardest instrument to play—but stars who learn to do so, also win. Probably the most powerful picture of these elements occurred in a rock band named U2. Most bands are never considered a team. They play for a few years and break up because members don't like to sacrifice their personal stardom. Not true with U2. Lead singer Bono, lead guitarist "Edge," bass player Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. have played together for over 30 years. That's unheard of for most teams. They see themselves as partners in an enterprise that is far bigger than any one of them. While Bono is clearly the voice of the band, they possess a clear vision and set of values. U2's mission is to improve the world through its music and influence. Bono calls it the spark that sets U2 apart from other bands. He describes U2 as a "tight knit family." They split all income evenly, between the four band embers and their agent. They value excellent performance and continuous improvement but they stand for something bigger than that: social justice and human rights. Further, each member knows his strengths and weakness. Bono says he can hear melodies in his head but is unable to transfer them into written music. He relies on fellow band members for that. They've each experienced struggles and often argue over new songs—but they only move forward when each member agrees to do so. If one of them is in need, the others rally around him to support him and put that need above the performance of the band. One incredible illustration of this happened during the 1980s when U2 campaigned to observe the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. as a national holiday. That year they performed the song, "In the Name of Love" written about Dr. King. Before one concert, Bono received a death threat, warning him not to sing that song or he'd be shot. The band debated if they should strike the song from that night's concert—but Bono insisted they do it. In an interview, Bono said as he sang the song, he closed his eyes. At the end of a verse, he opened them to find Adam Clayton standing in front of him to shield him from harm. Evidently, each member took turns protecting him during the song. I don't know about you—but I long to play on a team like that. Few get to do it. When groups of people are willing to set aside their own agenda, however, it can happen. And when it does, it makes people marvel. Tim You can follow Tim's personal blog and learn more about developing the next generation in his latest book, Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future

Tim Elmore | Growing Leaders, Inc. | Copyright 2011 | Atlanta, GA info@growingleaders.com | Phone: 770.495.3332

FW: Why Teams Work

Hi Boys

For your reading:)
 
Regards
qinyao


Unless we know the difference between flowers and weeds, we are not fit to take care of a garden. It is not enough to have truth planted in our minds. We must learn and labor to keep the ground clear of thorns and briars, follies and perversities, which have a wicked propensity to choke the word of life.
SOURCE:  Clyde Francis Lytle

---

Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:15:34 -0400
From: info@growingleaders.com
To: eusin_bay@hotmail.com
Subject: Why Teams Work

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Why Teams Work By Tim Elmore Stop and think about what makes you marvel. My guess is—not much. It takes a lot to "wow" us today. However, I bet I know something that moves you every time you see it. Outstanding teamwork. After informally polling hundreds of people during my travels around the world, I discovered the most inspiring act is the sight of a group of people who, over time, become a team and pull off something they could've never achieved as a set of individuals. Consider the man-made wonders of the world. They inspire us because we know they required teamwork. None of them could have been built alone: The Pyramids in Egypt. The Great Wall of China. The Eiffel Tower in France. While we all love stories of rugged individual accomplishment, we celebrate even more the achievement of teams. Case in point. Lebron James already enjoyed personal achievement with the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning the MVP trophy twice. He moved to Miami because he wanted a championship more than a trophy. It's been said so much its cliché, but it's still true: everyone wants to be part of something bigger than they are. I believe authentic teamwork is stunning to us because while we understand the psychology of it—we experience it less than in the past. Our lives often don't reflect that we even need each other. Why is genuine teamwork rare? Few great NCAA athletes remain in college a full four years. It's difficult to experience rich teamwork in a short amount of time. Professional sports foster a "free agent mindset" which prevents players from mentally settling into one team or franchise. Few lay down roots. Great athletes have agents that lobby for individual benefits and rewards, not for team or shared rewards. It's all about the individual not the whole. Parents push for their own kid to get the limelight or the big break; few see the big picture and teach the honor of playing any part of something bigger. What Separates Teams From Groups? So what makes for great teamwork? What happens when a group of athletes or musicians or employees transform themselves into a team, that experiences synergy and achieves far more than the sum total of all their parts? My friend, Winkie Pratney, shared an idea with me years ago that I want to build upon and use to answer this question: what makes for great teams? 1. A Sense of Destiny. Great teams experience, either immediately or over time, the inward sense that they are destined for greatness. This spirit is difficult to measure and impossible to conjure up artificially, but it moves teammates to greater performance than they're capable of without it. In 2004, the Detroit Pistons shocked the world by beating the more talented Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA championship. They appeared far more hungry than the champion Lakers. This team of athletes spoke of a "sense of destiny" that pushed them to do the impossible. While teams must possess talent, great team performance is more about perception than potential. They believe its possible to upset the better opponents. 2. A Sense of Family. Great teams always create a family atmosphere among the members. Love for each other goes beyond the playing field or the office. They serve each other and protect one another beyond their working hours. This is what drove Pee Wee Reese to look out for Jackie Robinson in 1946. Those Dodgers became a blended family. In 2002, the Cinderella team of baseball, the Anaheim Angels, won the World Series. They finished 46 games out of first place the year before. What happened? This team of free agents, not superstars, gelled in April as manager Mike Soccia began rewarding and fining players based on whether they sacrificed for each other. This built incredible trust among them. They soon learned that great teams are more about trust than talent. It paid off. 3. A Militant Spirit. Finally, great teams cultivate a "do whatever it takes" attitude. It's a radical passion to find a way to win; to extend themselves and push for more than they felt they could produce. It usually stems from a hunger to win a championship not a trophy. I mentioned Lebron James earlier. One may presume that a team with James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh would trample any other NBA team. Not necessarily. Winning has become more difficult than they assumed. Why? Three superstars used to scoring most of the points for their previous teams have to adjust to playing second fiddle. It's the hardest instrument to play—but stars who learn to do so, also win. Probably the most powerful picture of these elements occurred in a rock band named U2. Most bands are never considered a team. They play for a few years and break up because members don't like to sacrifice their personal stardom. Not true with U2. Lead singer Bono, lead guitarist "Edge," bass player Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. have played together for over 30 years. That's unheard of for most teams. They see themselves as partners in an enterprise that is far bigger than any one of them. While Bono is clearly the voice of the band, they possess a clear vision and set of values. U2's mission is to improve the world through its music and influence. Bono calls it the spark that sets U2 apart from other bands. He describes U2 as a "tight knit family." They split all income evenly, between the four band embers and their agent. They value excellent performance and continuous improvement but they stand for something bigger than that: social justice and human rights. Further, each member knows his strengths and weakness. Bono says he can hear melodies in his head but is unable to transfer them into written music. He relies on fellow band members for that. They've each experienced struggles and often argue over new songs—but they only move forward when each member agrees to do so. If one of them is in need, the others rally around him to support him and put that need above the performance of the band. One incredible illustration of this happened during the 1980s when U2 campaigned to observe the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. as a national holiday. That year they performed the song, "In the Name of Love" written about Dr. King. Before one concert, Bono received a death threat, warning him not to sing that song or he'd be shot. The band debated if they should strike the song from that night's concert—but Bono insisted they do it. In an interview, Bono said as he sang the song, he closed his eyes. At the end of a verse, he opened them to find Adam Clayton standing in front of him to shield him from harm. Evidently, each member took turns protecting him during the song. I don't know about you—but I long to play on a team like that. Few get to do it. When groups of people are willing to set aside their own agenda, however, it can happen. And when it does, it makes people marvel. Tim You can follow Tim's personal blog and learn more about developing the next generation in his latest book, Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future

Tim Elmore | Growing Leaders, Inc. | Copyright 2011 | Atlanta, GA info@growingleaders.com | Phone: 770.495.3332

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