The Smile Behind: 2010

Teamwork 1021

Teamwork… cooperative work by group: a cooperative effort by a group or team.
Mr. Toastmaster, fellow toastmasters, parents, and guests. Hi my name is (as many of you probably know) Jeremiah Hoppman And this is my 10th speech in which I’m supposed to inspire you, my fellow students. To start out, I must explain. This speech will be divided into two parts. Part one will be on teamwork and part two on leadership. The definition that you heard was from the Encarta World English Dictionary. To begin with, I have a story:
To Cross A Road

Once upon a time, a body wanted to cross a road. The legs, the arms, the brain, the eyes, and the mouth all held a counsel. The brain was the leader. They argued and argued over how to cross the road. The eyes said the legs should carry the arms across the road and then the arms tow the rest of the body over, the legs loudly disagreed, while the mouth wailed that: “We’re nnneeeevvveeerrr going to get across!” The brain just silently listened to each of them. (excluding the mouth of course!) than the brain decided how they were going to cross. “After hearing all of you out, except the mouth, I have come to a conclusion. We will all cross together, the legs will carry, the eyes will make sure there are no cars coming, the mouth will keep shut, and I will give any necessary advice!” The End .

The body ended up crossing safely but the point of this story, is to show that if a member of a team won’t cooperate the whole group will malfunction.
Moving on… I will give you the 4 stages of team development.

The Forming stage: This is where we “break the ice” so to speak, we start communicating. (Romans 12:1-2) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. When You are in a team, communication is vital. All communication begins with 5 Steps. These steps are:
a. Waiting
b. Attending
c. Clarifying
d. Reflecting
e. Agreeing
When you are talking with someone, and the person you are talking to doesn’t seem to be listening, the conversation goes something like this:

Me: Hi! How are you doing!
You: fine. u?
Me: I’m great! Thank-you!!
You: mmhm
Me: Welll, how is your sister? I hear she won the mini golf tournament!!
You: ya I guesso

And on and on and on. I think you get the idea! One thing you should always remember, ASK GOOD QUESTIONS!!! If you don’t, how will you find anything out?
2. The Storming stage: We decide who is in charge. There is some conflict as we notice differences. (Romans 12:3-5) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. If conflict arises, the best way to stop conflict is when you simply “overlook the offence”. Conflict is an opportunity to enable unity instead of uniformity. Unity is the working together of a team or having the same mindset. Uniformity is when everyone is outwardly and consistently the same.
There is something called “The Three P’s:
Pray
Pause
Persevere

3. The Norming stage: This stage is where trust starts to emerge, and we notice the strengths and weaknesses of our teammates. (Romans 12:6-8) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
4. The Performing stage: We are able to make decisions, and an effort is made to improve what is already working. (Romans 12:9-13) Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Leadership
When you have a team, it is best to have leader. I know that most of you are going to be leaders of a team some day whether in your family or in a club.

Here is another story by Neil Eskelin:
Alexander the Great, the Greek king, once led his troops across a hot, arid desert. After nearly two weeks of marching, he and his soldiers were near death from thirst, yet Alexander pushed ahead. In the noonday sun, two of his scouts brought what little water they were able to find. It barely filled a cup. Alexander's troops were shocked when he poured the water into the burning sand. The king said, "It is of no use for one to drink when many thirst." Treating those who report to you as partners or associates will not work if it's only a scheme of strategy. It must be a genuine heart-felt expression.

Here are some key Leadership principals:
Courage: Here is a saying my sister came up with:
Courage is not doing
something without fear,
it is doing something
DESPITE your fear.
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
2. Justice: Giving what is deserved, and I don’t mean: your brother takes a valued item of yours so now you have the right to take something valued of his, I mean: thieves sent to jail until what was taken is paid back in full.
'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
3. Self-Control: Moderation. don’t take too much, just what is needed.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is like a man who lacks self-control.
4. Prudence: When you apply wisdom to practice.
For giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.
To much of a good thing is bad (Meaning Leadership)… how many of you think candy is good? Ok, now what happens when you eat to much? You get sick, or get cavities. Who here thinks cavities are good? If a problem arises, listen to what the problem is. Decide what to do. Communicate what your idea is. And act on your decision. A thing to remember, Hypocrisy will completely destroy the team! When a problem arises, present the problem, consider the options, then act! But always, whatever you do, make sure you look at the big picture. Whatever you do, put this into your decision: “Will my choice bring more, or less glory to God?” Also, if possible, put yourself in the person that will be affected’s shoes. Then Share your opinion with someone who has discretion. Ask yourself if anyone outside the group needs to know the information. Then share the problem with the people who were part of the problem. Remember, YOU are part of the solution!
Thank-You.
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This is a speech that I wrote, I thought maybe you would like to read this.