1. RoboDrama 101
By Andy Baker

2. RoboDrama Ro-bo-dra-ma noun Problematic issue within a robotics team
Difficult to deal with politics within a robotics team
Issues or politics about a robotics team with outside organizations

3. Background Working since age 14
High school jobs
Co-op GE Plastics
15 Delphi
13 AndyMark
BS Mechanical Engineering ‘91, Univ. of Evansville
FIRST mentor since 1998 (FRC 45, 3940)
Championship WFA Winner
Co-founder of IndianaFIRST
Event organizer, volunteer
FIRST Crown Supplier

4. Root causes: Within your team
Poor student, mentor attendance
Not following school/team rules during travel
Not treating students equally
Failure to give credit to others while achieving success
Poor communication to parents, mentors, and/or students
Working under a tight timeline, with not enough resources and not enough money
Putting individual needs over the needs of the team
Not providing evidence when choosing student roles (only depending on opinions)

5. Root causes: External to your team
Incorrect self-awareness of your team’s ability, strengths, and weaknesses
Failure to give credit to others while achieving success
Members speaking, ing, or posting negative opinions about other teams or team members
Airing your team’s dirty laundry publicly
Putting your team’s needs as a priority over the detriment to your community

6. Tips to Handle Issues Respect Equality Communication
Expectations & Goals
Issues not Emotions
Follow Procedures
Be Accountable

7. Respect between Teammates and co-workers
Show up
Communicate as much as possible
Understand relationships and accommodate
Minimize gossip
Understand teammates’ struggles
Don’t think that you’re better than anyone
There will always be the “bad teacher”, “horrible boss”, or “crazy co-worker”
Admire and take advantage of experience

8. Respect between teams Sponsorships, award submissions
Chrysler, Delphi in Kokomo
Community > Awards
Website, Chairman’s Award entries
Give credit
Design sharing, “first to do this…”
Match play (co-opertition, “jerk factor”, etc.)

9. Treat People Equally Root cause for many issues Golden Rule
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”
Engineering / Union worker
Management / Team member
Hourly / Salary worker
Freshman / Senior
Boy / Girl
Student / Mentor
Minority / Majority

10. Communication Email Phone Text / PM / Messenger / Twitter Face to face
GOOD: Facts, details, record keeping
BAD: Emotions, arguing, speculation, issue resolution
Phone
GOOD: Issue discussion, speculation
BAD: details and record keeping
Text / PM / Messenger / Twitter
Mix of both, not good for issue resolution
Face to face
GOOD: Issue resolution, emotion, arguing
People prefer different ways to sell, convince, and discuss issues. Understand people’s preferences.

11. Expectations and Goals
Everyone must have same overall goals & expectations regarding how to achieve
Treasure hunt example
Purpose for regular, efficient meetings
Everyone has slightly different way to achieve goals
Slips and surprises happen, communicate them quickly
Good for competition, funding, project management

12. Issues not Emotions Understand, clarify the issues
Stay calm, but realize others may be upset
Address the problem, not person
checker
Time out
Don’t intimidate

13. Use Procedures Procedures are made after issues happen
Once made, communicate and follow procedures
Team role selection
Application process
Post match review
Student leadership role limitation
Parent issues
Attendance
Student role selection
Student behavior issues
Follow chain of command
School procedures and policies
Travel issues, rooming

14. Be Accountable Self-awareness Self-deprecation is a good thing
Communicate surprises and issues proactively, ASAP
Admit fault quickly if you are clearly wrong
Defend those who are not wrong
Identify and address bullies
Expect accountability of others

15. Thank you!