Welcome to WM8C's Team Building Guide
Legos Team Building Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
You may also listen to this article by using the following controls.
Blueprint for Leadership - How to Be a Better Leader
from: Steve KayeIf you were to build a house, you would begin with a blueprint. This blueprint proves useful because it contains more than directions on how to build a house. It also describes the finished house.
So, what does this have to do with leadership?
Last month I asked an audience of leaders to tell me the characteristics of an ideal leader. Their answers were (in the order collected):
A good listener, enthusiasm, passion, shows appreciation, a visionary, role model, trusting, integrity, organized, knowledgeable, credibility, persuasive, charisma, team building, clarity of purpose, problem solver, attitude of service, leads by example, patience, willing to act without complete knowledge, understands followers, consistent, empowers other people, and adapts to change.
I'll add that this is essentially the same list that I receive from other audiences when I ask this question. From this comes some useful insights.
1) Notice what the list contains. All of these characteristics relate to the human side of leadership. That's interesting because I often hear people minimize this side of leadership with terms like "soft" or "touchy feely." Actually, applying these characteristics requires more strength than not.
2) Notice what the list excludes. Absent from this list (and all lists from other programs) are characteristics such as stern, mean, serious, short tempered, vindictive, tough, angry, harsh, punitive, controlling, violent, or ruthless. And that's interesting because many popular representations of leadership emphasize at least one of these "hard" characteristics. In fact, these characteristics are the refuge of those who lack the strength (or the skills) to apply the human side of leadership.
3) How about you? How would you rate yourself as a leader compared to the list of positive characteristics? If you were to survey the people who report to you, how would they describe your leadership? Would they list characteristics from the "soft" list or from the "hard" list? Could you become more effective by improving upon any of the "soft" characteristics? And how about the other leaders in your organization? Do they truly maximize human potential?
People want leaders who treat them with genuine compassion, courtesy, and respect. They want leaders who help them become more successful. They want leaders who inspire them with a vision for a better world and show them how to go there.
About the Author
IAF Certified Professional Facilitator and author Steve Kaye works with leaders who want to hold effective meeting. His innovative workshops have informed and inspired people nationwide. His facilitation produces results that people will support. Call 714-528-1300 or visit his web site for over 100 pages of valuable ideas. Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.stevekaye.com
Legos Team Building News
First-year LEGO robotics team wins regional competition - Charlotte Observer
First-year LEGO robotics team wins regional competition Charlotte Observer In the basement of coach Shannon Jefferson's home in Charlotte, from October to January, nine young scientists could be found working furiously to program robots, build LEGO structures and conduct experiments. Decked out in red and yellow tie-dye ... |
Teams compete in LEGO challenge and even invent patent-worthy products - Gainesville Times
Teams compete in LEGO challenge and even invent patent-worthy products Gainesville Times By Brandee A. Thomas bthomas@gainesvilletimes.com Students from two local schools may have been building things with their LEGO pieces, but they weren't playing around. They were creating prize-winning robots. Robotics teams from Gainesville Middle ... |
Lego team builds winning reputation - Maxwell Gunter Dispatch
Lego team builds winning reputation Maxwell Gunter Dispatch “It was an exciting opportunity for team members to do real-world research toward the challenges facing today's scientists,” said teacher and coach Rebecca Hill. “The team also developed essential 21st century skills in critical thinking, team-building ... |
President Obama to Host White House Science Fair - Whitehouse.gov (press release)
President Obama to Host White House Science Fair Whitehouse.gov (press release) Sixth graders Ma'Kese Wesley and Isis Thompson and their LEGO robotics team from the ACE Collegium Campus in Kansas City, Missouri researched ways in which they could improve food safety. Their invention, a UV-light lunchbox, sanitizes food between ... |
The Lady Bots win FIRST LEGO League competition - Fox 13 Now - Salt Lake City
The Lady Bots win FIRST LEGO League competition Fox 13 Now - Salt Lake City Hundreds of Utah teens got together on Saturday to show off their impressive LEGO-building skills. Teams competed at the University of Utah Union in the second annual Utah FIRST LEGO League Championship. The global competition encourages middle school ... |
Turning 30000 Legos into a replica of Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis Star
Turning 30000 Legos into a replica of Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis Star Lucas Oil Stadium Lego replica: Brian Alano, Bloomington, Ind., talks about building a Lucas Oil Stadium replica out of more than 30000 LEGOs. The model, which took three years to complete, is on display this week at the JW Marriott. |
100 kids compete in LEGO Mania - Fort Morgan Times
100 kids compete in LEGO Mania Fort Morgan Times By DAN BARKER Times News Editor Teams had to build on a platform and construct something relating to the theme of Out of This World. The LEGO Mania is growing, with about 100 participants this year on eight teams. Kids from 6 to 13 years old signed up ... |