Leaders in the Making Teamwork – Lesson Two Intentional

We are not here merely to make a living. We are here to enrich the world with a finer spirit of hope and achievement – and we impoverish ourselves if we forget the errand. Woodrow Wilson There is no such thing as “them and us”. In a world this size there can only be “we” – all of us working together. Don Ward Think about it...

Time for a little review... Character is... True or False _____ 1. Personal qualities that determine responses. _____ 2. How you act in front of a crowd. _____ 3. How you act when no one is around. _____ 4. Something you can control and change. _____ 5. Developed by choice. _____ 6. Strengthened by practice. _____ 7. Learned by watching others.

GROUND RULES: We don’t use names. The object is to realize that there are all kinds of people, with all kinds of attitudes, with all kinds of actions. What did you notice? When you spent time watching people over the last couple of days, what did you discover? What character traits did you observe? Which teamwork skills did you see? Did you watch people?

Good character starts with good intentions. Good intentions, however, are not enough. To develop good character, one must be INTENTIONAL. Just do it...

Decidedly Determined Recognizing the intentional person: They know who they are. They know what they want. They know where they are going. They make choices based on who they are, what they want, and where they are going. They believe and live like every action counts. INTENTIONAL

My aunt is one of the most intentional people I know. I saw her commitment and dedication as she was going after her nursing degree. She had wanted to be a nurse for a long time, but she was married, had a young son, and life was hard. Her life revolved around making ends meet. There was no opportunity for her to go to school. Then things changed. She became a single mom; now more than ever she needed the income that being a nurse could provide. With the help of her mom she enrolled in nursing school. She found a job that would work around her schedule. Her life now revolved around her son, her job and her schooling. It seemed to me that every waking moment found her working or studying. She devoted herself to those three things. It took her five years to get through nursing school. She made it. Now she is a full-time nurse. She loves her job. She continues to take care of her son. I continue to admire her determination. By Eboni Hicks Decidedly Determined

1.If being intentional means knowing yourself, what you want and then making choices on how to get what you want, how was Eboni’s aunt in our story intentional? 2.What obstacles did Eboni’s aunt face? 3.Which parts of the definition of being intentional do you recognize in Eboni’s story? Reflection

Being intentional about something is more than just wanting or hoping. The intentional person makes a conscious decision to make things happen. The intentional person is not distracted by opportunities or distractions that may keep them from the focus of their intent. Again, it is being decidedly determined. Intentional

Intentional Briefing: This activity assumes that each person will do his or her part to reach the goal. This activity also assumes that you will use care, caution, and be safe. You will have an opportunity to choose an area that you’re willing to be intentional in. As you work through the activity, remember this quote we discussed previously: “If you want help, help others. If you want trust, trust others. If you want love, give it away. If you want friends, be one. If you want a great team, be a great teammate. That’s how it works.”(Dan Zadra). Also reflect on the symbolism inherent in the activity. 1. Pass out a 3” x 5” card to each person. Have each person write their name on their card. On the same card they should write down something to which they are willing to be intentional. This “something” could be: a relationship that needs work a school subject that needs more effort a skill that needs developing

Intentional 2. Pass out a foam ball to each person. 3. Put the washtub on the ground with the group in a circle facing the tub. Each person should be holding their foam ball and their card. 4. Each person should sit in a circle tight enough so both their feet are touching the washtub. 5. Each person should put their card and their foam ball into the washtub.

With both feet on the tub, together lift the tub into the air using only your feet. Then slowly lower the tub back to the ground. That’s being intentional. Remember, being intentional is more than just having good intentions. It is knowing what you are capable of, knowing what you have to do, and acting like every action counts. Now reframe the activity. Real intentionality demands perseverance. As you are doing the activity, the cards represent you and the object of your intentionality. The balls represent all the distractions and disruptions that may keep you off track. Sometimes distractions or disruptions frustrate us and cause us to lose commitment. This time each person is to take off one shoe as the tub is being held in the air to represent that loss of commitment. But since we are a team, we take care of each other and support each other. So, please help each other put your shoe back on before you lower the tub. Just do it...

1.What happened? 2.How did you feel about what happened? 3.How hard is it to be intentional? 4.What sort of things might get in the way of your ability to be intentional? 5.How can those around you help you stay intentional and committed? 6.What life lessons can you learn from the tub? Thinking about it...

Be INTENTIONAL! Date your journal entry. Write down an area where you are willing to be intentional – a relationship, a school subject, a skill that you want to develop, etc. Journal how you will be intentional. What steps will you take? What sort of disruptions, fears, or disappointments might you face along the way? What are you going to do about those disruptions, fears, or disappointments? Journal who might help you keep your commitment as well. Journal # 3