Team Work

Ah the sweet taste of success... or near success! I've received a lot of feedback lately from students who have won, but fear losing in the future, or haven't won and "think" they know why. Today I want to write about the importance of Team Work, and I also have some tips for strategic success in the long run.

1) TEAM WORK

One of the wonderful aspects of Parli is that it allows you to work with someone else. You'll form a bond a friendship with the other person that is really unique. However, sometimes it is hard to connect and work together because you're both used to doing things on your own and thinking independently. The consequence: many teams are failing to work together well and as a result their speeches sound like they're on opposing sides! YIKES! WHAT A MESS!

Any time your on a team, you must learn to respect and appreciate the gifts in the other person. Wagging a finger constantly blaming your partner for every mistake gets you NO WHERE! Learn to appreciate your partner, find their strengths, and work together to use your talents well. The teams that keep winning finals are the teams that have decided to be friends with each other and work together toward success, rather than sitting back blaming their partner for every mistake.

The trick to learning how to win NEVER lies in spotlighting your partner's failings, but rather lies in finding your own and fixing them! When others win, watch what they do well and COPY their strategy. Learn to improve by finding good examples and focus on positive things you can do instead of making a list of 'don'ts'.

Partners who decide to love, respect, and befriend one another find that the greatest reward of Parli is the lesson of team work, godly compromise, and friendship! If you're fortunate, you'll end your debate experience with many new friends, and being partners with your new best friend!

2) "SHIFTING"

Have you ever read a tall tale? If you saw the original story, you'd probably be amazed at how much it evolved with time. Each storyteller adds to the tale, making it longer and more elaborate than the last.

Some Government Cases are like that! Be aware of the "ever-growing / ever-changing case." In debate, a case that changes with each speech, or is clarified and gives the impression of changing, is called a "shift." If the Government team says one thing in one speech, and something else in another, it's called a "shift" and basically gives the win to the Opp.

The reason is this: If you could "tweak" or "fix" your case with every speech, it would be giving the Gov. team a "magic wand" to wiggle out of every flaw the Opp. presents. This steals the Opposition's ground, or ability to debate. An experienced judge would instantly spot this and side with the Opp.

Soooooooooo what's the moral to the story? Think through your plans! Try to thoroughly cover all aspects of the Need/Plan/ and Benefits when you first introduce your plan. Consider all the necessary steps in order to make something feasible and don't forget to include these in your FIRST speech when the plan is presented. Be careful not to leave gaping holes in the plan and you'll win more often.

Also, NEVER contradict your partner in a speech. If your partner says something you disagree with, talk to them about it privately after the round, or during the round. Maybe together you can approach it with a compromise you both agree on. If you can't agree, but the information has already been shared in a speech- either ignore it, or clarify it. NEVER disagree. This also qualifies as a "shift."

3) The Myth of the Perfect Case

The Government team is obligated to try their best to come up with the hardest-to-beat case possible. The case must be debatable, but does not need to have obvious mistakes. In other words, you are not obligated to make the Opposition's job easier! Besides, it isn't much fun and it isn't much of an accomplishment to win because someone 'let you win'... in the end you won't be making them happier either!

So, what is debatable? Answer: ANYTHING that can be evaluated from the Cost/Benefit Analysis and follows the Need/Plan/Benefit format. There are many approaches Opposition teams can take, if nothing else, they may have a better plan.

Further, what you think is perfect MIGHT NOT be perfect! Lately, I've found many teams are repeating cases that 'never lose'- thinking they have the perfect case... suddenly a new team finds the correct tactic and beats their case! So far I haven't heard a case yet that couldn't be beat! Be careful about presuming perfection, this presumption leads to unpreparedness and surprise losses... particularly when God thinks it is an appropriate time to teach us humility!

4) Give it Your BEST by Giving it Your ALL:

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." I Corinthians 9: 24-27, KJV

I can't say it better than that! When Paul wrote about the life of a Christian, he used the analogy of running a race. He explained how as an athlete, one should bring your body "into subjection." He describes the perfect example of giving it your all!

Studying speech and debate is a commitment to learn how to better minister, how to better defend the faith, and how to exemplify the Lord in all things, whether in word or deed. We should always give it our best, give it our all, no matter how challenging it may be, as one running to obtain the prize.

I hope this helps you all!
I love you guys!
-Kristina