Building a Cadet/Senior Team

“BONES” Someone said the membership of every organization is made up of four kinds of Bones: There are the Wishbones who spend their time wishing someone else would do the work! There are Jawbones who do all talking, but very little else! Next, there are Knucklebones who knock everything else everybody tries to do! Finally, there are the Backbones who get under the load and do the work! What kind of Bone are you??? Mr. Wilburt Hill

Overview Team and Teamwork Defined Team Building Techniques Correcting Inappropriate Behavior Rewarding Appropriate Behavior Senior Member Roles, Traits, Principles Developmental Stages Communication Skills Counseling Techniques

Team and Teamwork Defined Team: A group on the same side. A group organized to work together. Teamwork: Cooperative effort by the members of a group or team to achieve a common goal. Together Everyone Accomplishes More

Team Building Techniques Treat Cadets with dignity/mutual respect. Avoid sarcasm. Get to know your cadets. Learn their strengths/weaknesses. Communicate expectations/standards. Provide support and encouragement. Praise in public…correct in private. (cont)

Team Building Techniques (cont) Never belittle their ideas. Establish behavioral expectations. Sell them ownership in the Code. Emphasize Safety, Safety, Safety. Encourage positive, motivational, and effective training. Accentuate the positive.

Correcting Inappropriate Behavior Determine the root cause. –Attitude –Training –Other Correction must be immediate, consistent and tied to the behavior. (cont)

Correcting Inappropriate Behavior (cont) Correcting Inappropriate Behavior: –Discipline Track Verbal counseling, letter of counseling, admonishment, letter of reprimand, suspension –Progressive buildup –Temporarily withholding privileges

Rewarding Appropriate Behavior Recognize accomplishments. Initiate Swearing-in, NCO Appointment, Mitchell, Earhart, and Eaker Award special ceremonies. Involve the parents. Develop a merit system. Praise in public. Create certificates/awards. Communicate your appreciation. Nominate for Cadet of the Year.

Senior Member Roles Role model Coach Teacher Counselor Medic Driver Cheerleader (cont)

Senior Member Roles (cont) Disciplinarian Surrogate parent Sounding board Mediator Mentor Leader

Senior Member Traits Integrity: Total commitment to the highest personal and professional standards. Loyalty: Three-dimensional trait which includes faithfulness to superiors, peers and subordinates. Commitment: Complete devotion to duty. Energy: An enthusiasm and drive to take the initiative. Decisiveness: A willingness to act. Selflessness: Sacrificing personal needs.

Senior Member Principles Know your job Know yourself Set the example Care for your people Communicate Educate Equip Motivate (cont)

Senior Member Principles (cont) Establish goals. Accept your responsibility. Develop teamwork. –Leaders must mold a collection of individual performers into a cohesive team which works together to accomplish the mission. Teamwork results when people are willing to put the mission before all else.

Developmental Stages Mental Characteristics Relationships/Social Experiences Social Experiences Values Experimentation

Comparison of Adolescent Development

Communication Skills Learn to listen. Keep an open mind. Be interested. Talk with them, don’t speak at them.

Counseling Techniques Directive Approach: counselor-centered –Informational or advice giving –Disciplinary or rule setting –Support giving Must have all the facts and know the right solution to the problem. (cont)

Counseling Techniques (cont) Nondirective Approach: counselee-centered –Counselee takes responsibility for, and solving his/her problem. –Advantage: the person with the problems “owns” solutions. (cont)

Counseling Techniques (cont) Problem-Oriented Approach: Elements of both the Directive and Nondirective. –Moves the focus away from both the supervisor and subordinate and attempts to define the problem using both of their inputs. (cont)

Counseling Techniques (cont) Be prepared Plan the interview Open the interview Identify the problem Conduct the interview Document (cont)

Counseling Techniques (cont) Keep it friendly Keep door open, another senior present Ask non-threatening, open-ended questions Listen, Listen, Listen Confidentiality--trust and rapport

TEAM Together Everyone Accomplishes More

Summary Team and Teamwork Defined Team Building Techniques Correcting Inappropriate Behavior Rewarding Appropriate Behavior Senior Member Roles, Traits, Principles Developmental Stages Communication Skills Counseling Techniques