Team Value!

If we start with the premise that everyone on your team has great value, then a key role as leader of the team is to facilitate the realization of that potential value. So the question is how do we facilitate that realization... how do we get team members to bring their great value to the table?

Well, if leaders take a position of giving instructions, directives and commands - they'll probably get exactly what they asked for... and most likely nothing more. The challenge with this approach is that the value generated is limited to what the leader brings to the table. On the other hand, if all members of the team were encouraged to come up with ideas, plans, solutions, etc., consider how much more value would be added to the team effort.

Unfortunately, in many instances, people have become so accustomed to following instructions, directives and commands, that even when given the opportunity to bring their ideas, plans and solutions to the table, they still hold back, often awaiting instructions before proceeding.

Leaders who really want to bring out the potential value in their team members may consider adopting an approach where all members of staff are considered leaders... and they are therefore required to make decisions - not just follow orders, instructions, commands. The challenge here is that they may sometimes make the wrong decisions - but that's part of the risk involved in becoming excellent... the other option is to remain ordinary.

Caribbean Value

I had some really great conversations today with my Sport for Development colleagues as we noted that often the Caribbean (and other developing countries) are not recognized for the value that they bring to the global discourse. And of course, this is not unique to the field of Sport for Development. So whenever there are gatherings of regional or international groups, the Caribbean (and other developing countries) are often left out of the dialogue - and/or if we (the Caribbean) are included, we are often relegated to 'beneficiary' status - "Let's show you how you can benefit from the expertise of first world intelligence..."

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that we have nothing to learn from the expertise of the so called first world - all I'm saying is that new knowledge, creative ideas, innovative approaches... are not limited to first world thinkers... and in the past decade or so, I have personally witnessed a significant volume of new and innovative thinking emerging from the Caribbean - particularly in the field of Sport for Development.

So stand up Caribbean people and show your worth... so that the rest of the world may begin to benefit from the value that we add to the global discourse.

+ve vibes,
Mark

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

So another year passes and as we head into 2010 I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my reflections with you. As with any year, we always have some good stuff and some not so good stuff - my not so good stuff was the really sad passing of Mark Daly - and although he's been on my mind often since his passing, I'm feeling much less sad today than I did at his funeral. I'll always remember his beautiful spirit and hopefully we'll find a meaningful way to keep his legacy alive.

Probably the most significant positive thing for me in 2009 was my reconnect with the 1st Pres Sea Scouts - a movement that I grew up in... where I learned the true value of brotherhood and where I developed many valuable life skills - leadership, commitment, personal responsibility, initiative, innovation, problem solving... and I as I returned to the beauty of Turtle Bay on Monas Island - just off the Northwestern Peninsula of Trinidad, I cringed at the horror of what was left of two scout houses where we spent many a holiday camp. The 1st Pres scout house (Copper Hole) that doubled as a retreat centre for students at Pres College sitting at the point of the bay was suspiciously destroyed by fire earlier in 2009.  And the Fatima scout house that once boasted a picturesque kitchen and dining area on the water front, with a large dorm facility along the hillside overlooking the bay... was now nothing - the only evidence was the smashed concrete floor eroded by the ocean... and the neglect... it was an ugly sight and absolutely unbelievable!

And then there was the campfire... and the spirit of the young scouts who pitched tents on the same ground that once housed the dorms and who unaware of the history of the venue, lustily sang campfire songs, performed short skits and poked fun at each other... and reminded me that the value of this wonderful institution was not in the concrete structures, but in the hearts of those who embrace its value.

I pray that for 2010, you embrace those 'value' institutions - those institutions that really build character and that really shape who we are... who we want to be... who we want our children to be.

+ve vibes,
Mark

Christmas lessons

So every year around this time we get into the Christmas spirit... and even if you're not a Christmas believer, you've got to marvel at the powerful messages that the Christmas story generates. For me, there are two very significant lessons surrounding the Christmas story. The first is the idea of a little baby boy creating such an impact on the entire world... and I think about all of the little things in life that people do that add such great value to our world. Often times we overlook these little special things and so the Christmas story is a reminder that we all have something special to add to this world - no matter how small it may be.

The second lesson for me is about humility - no fancy private hospital - just a simple cow shed... and a reminder to us that wherever we may be placed in this world, whoever we may be, regardless of our rank, qualifications or position..., we are all called to serve and to serve with humility.

May this Christmas bring meaning to your life.

+ve vibes,
Mark