The Value of a Great Team
My Thursday mornings are often taken up attending the public speaking group, Toastmasters (down in Covent Garden). On Sunday (21st August 2011), we agreed to head down to Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park and allow the public to learn more about our club (plus, a great opportunity to practice speaking in public - "real" public!).
I knew it would be nerve-racking, but more than that, it was a fantastic experience. I learnt a lot, and was able to relate this experience to everyday life - to business - to being a part of Base Creative. This is why.
Team Mentality
It brings out team-mentality. Not mob-mentality (this is usually similar to many against others). Everyone was encouraging, even members of the public. Some of our speakers messed up, but that was ok. The audience were forgiving and empowering. It was obvious that this helped, and fed into the strength any speaker needs when in such an exposed situation. I could see how an encouraging team make the biggest difference in everyone's abilities.
Step Up
As part of the agenda, we encouraged everyone (tourists, passers by and on-lookers) to get involved. I was so sure this would fail and no-one would step up. But they did, and they loved it. Some initially nervous, but many willing to step outside the comfort zone (and speak on a topic they were given 10 seconds beforehand). All ages joined in, and from as young as 10. If that isn't encouragement, I don't know what is! Before long, people were regretting they had not stepped up themselves.
Not everyone plays ball
Not everyone wants to get involved, and some people want only to disrupt. That's when instances of heckling began! I wasn't on the box at the time, but on two occassions, the speaker was heckled by unsobering characters who wanted only to disrupt proceedings and shout abuse. You get these types in all situations, and may see these qualities in people you've worked with (minus the Special Brew, I hope). But what comes from that can be surprising. As a group (audience included) we banded together and made sure his abuse wasn't heard. A few seconds of loud chanting and pointing, and he shamefully walked off, losing all motivation and energy to compete. Had we given him the stage, and allowed his abuse to continue, I'm sure he'd still be there today. The lesson here is not to give these people an audience, and remove them from the mix immmediately (and appropriately).
The Key Ingredient
In all instances of success, the team, the group, the people came through as the winners. Without the team, it wouldn't have worked. Probably one of the key ingredients to Base Creative, too.