TEAMS

For teams to work the members of the team must each agree to follow a code of honor. The leader must clearly communicate the code of honor in writing. The code of honor sets forth expectations for each and every combination of relationship between team members. Each team member agreeing to the expectations better prevents the relationships from failing.

Teams come in all shapes and sizes. A team I recently wrote a code of honor for was my wife, me, and my daughter who started college. We agreed to a code of honor for a point of reference or guideline for my daughter’s four years at college.

When a student decides to attend college the future is uncertain. For instance, the student and the parents are concerned how the student will fit in. As part of the leader communicating clearly, less is more.

The code of honor includes my daughter must stay busy. The busier a student is the more efficient the student remains. The student decreases mind clutter because the student does not have time to second guess. The student has less room to make errors with extra time if the student is busy enough the student by force learns how to use time wisely.

The code of honor requires a commitment to personal development. The most significant habit of personal development is eradicating offers or events for which the student does not have a passion. Part of the college experience is gathering experiences and exploring a variety of disciplines then discovering what the student does not like. The commitment will define the student’s vision and provide focused direction as the college years go on. The personal development of the student includes equipping the student with skills matching the student’s talents.

The student within the code of honor must contribute financially. No one has a sufficient stake in a commitment without some skin in the game. Education should address the two resources over which each student serves as a steward: time and money. When the student contributes financially, the student learns the relationship between time and money.

The student must ask for help. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. The student healthily seeks independence but should know she is supported. As a good steward, the student will understand the benefit of asking for help before the resource of time, for example, is expended and there is no hope for recovery.

The student timely shares grades and report cards. Codes of honor essentially have methods to measure progress. Report cards with grades reflect whether the student is meeting the expectations of the professor who is the authority providing the measure.

I will write about another code of honor example tomorrow. Tomorrow’s entry will address coaching.