12 Principles of Team Organization

The Twelve Principles for Successful Team Organization

Ethics

Always make the right, honest ethical choice and encourage others to do the same.

We all know what the "right, honest ethical choice" is in almost every situation. Problem is, there are plenty of people out there who can rationalize making a choice that doesn't necessarily fit the description of "right" or "honest" or "ethical". Primary among these "rationalizations" is the desire to win. Does winning trump the reward for making the right choice? Is winning more important than honesty? What role does ethics play in team dynamics, especially in the sport of flyball?

There is a principle that I live by and that is my "self-respect" is the most important thing I value in life. I am with "myself'" 100% of the time and if I make a choice that does not respect my own sense of what I consider "right" ....does not respect the "whole truth" and therefore represents some portion of "dishonest" ....or compromises in any way my personal ethical standards, then I disrespect myself. And, if I disrespect myself, I cannot expect to receive respect from anybody else. Its that simple.

I've heard any number of arguments that you cannot dictate to others your personal values and beliefs. I believe that to be true. But, that means no one can force me to make a "choice" that is outside of my personal boundaries. I may be pressured and encouraged to abandon those behavioral standards but, it is still a choice that I, alone "own". If I make a "wrong" choice, it still belongs to me.

So, what am I getting at? What do ethics have to do with flyball? Well, flyball is a team sport which means you have to ellicit the cooperation of others in tandem with your own efforts in order to gain any success. For that, it helps to gain the full "trust" of others. When you are a person whose word is trusted, its much easier to gain the full cooperation of others. You are also much more likely to attract the attention of people whose values and standards match your own. In this sense, the cliche holds true: "Birds of a feather, flock together". Like kind seeks out others of "like kind".

Flyball is NOT just about the dogs. It is about people. There is no one closer to you in "flyball" than your teammates and the very first principle that will make or break a team is what kind of ethics are held and practiced by its leadership. So, if you are looking for a team to join, find out what kind of ethical sense is practiced by the team owner or team captain. If you have decided to organize your own team because you cannot find a team that is compatible with your ethics, then I wish you luck! Make sure that as you make it known that you are forming your own team and that you demonstrate and communicate what kind of ethical standards you have and you expect others to have.

People don't like guessing. They want to know where you stand. Consistency will attract people and keep them loyal to you. Very few people actually live their lives over "winning and losing" and if they do, do you need them anyway? Wouldn't you rather build a team that has a reputation for honesty both in their training practices and tournament competition? You can lose as much as you win but, win or lose, there is no substitute for choosing the right, honest and ethical thing.

Good Luck and Good Racing!

............Chris

Coping With Tournament Stress

I get nervous every time I go out onto the floor with my dog. It's kinda like a "stage fright" of some sort. I like the people I've met playing flyball and my dog just LOVES playing. How do I get over feeling nervous before a race?

A.G. from VA

I really feel for you. Getting over nervousness before performing can be daunting. Flyball matters to you or you wouldn't feel nervous. Perhaps you are concerned about your dog's readiness or your ability to handle your dog. It won't be easy but, I have some advice that might help you to cope.

1.) Alter your perception – Remember, life is 10% what happens and 90% how you react. A rainy day may be wonderful to a farmer and frustrating to a golfer, yet the actual event is exactly the same. You can turn any situation into a positive or negative experience, depending on your perception. The same is true for flyball. Your dog may go around the jumps or spit the ball before crossing the line but, he will still have as much fun. Look at flyball the way your dog does and have "fun" no matter what happens out there!

2.) Keep a training journal – a journal allows you to list the day’s events including successes and difficulties. When you’re feeling down, look through the journal each month and recount how much you’ve accomplished. If you still haven’t met your goals, it’s good motivation to build a plan for yourself and your dog. A journal gives you an accurate record of your training path and should give you confidence that you and your dog are truly "ready" to compete.

3.) Manage your time – Make lists of what you need to do. Write down your ideas and do not trust them to memory. This works for training goals, dog equipment, human comfort and what to bring for lunch and dinner.

4.) Schedule fun time – Set aside an hour or two just for you and your dog. Use it to walk your dog, relax or do something you enjoy. Time "off" is just as important as racing is.

5.) Pay attention to your physical self – If you feel sluggish, achy or lethargic, your body is telling you to slow down. Don’t bulldoze through ignoring your need to rest. If you are hungry, take a break and eat. If you are exhausted, take a catnap and revive your spirits. You expend as much energy as your dog does so take the time to take care of your "self".

6.) Find a team that really "fits" your personality – Surround yourself with supportive people who build your confidence and are reliable. A positive attitude is catchy and you may find someone else’s smile rubbing off on you. We all need to belong.

7.) Take a real vacation away from flyball – A vacation doesn’t have to be expensive or jam-packed with activity. Take a quiet vacation, with no itinerary or schedules. In fact, you may want to stay at home – just make sure it is a real "break" from flyball. Flyball will always be there waiting for you to return.

8.) Let go of emotional baggage – Stop worrying about things you can’t control. Concentrate on the things you have power over. Don’t stay up all night worrying about whether you or your dog will "mess" up! Focus, instead, on going to the tournament with a good attitude!

Good Luck and Good Racing!

..............Chris