Engagement matters. Performance matters. You matter. Everyone needs to be involved and valued in the 'story.'
Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy, Scandal) has a wonderful MasterClass on writing for television. Many ideas translate across platforms.
Her class on the Writer's Room was particularly illustrative. Here are some highlights that work for our "room":
1. Study all episodes. A writer studied "what the difference was" between every first draft, production draft, final draft, and the show. That tells you what the process is supposed to look like. (Why did stuff work or not work?) See which players enhance the process and the end product through effort and attention to detail. As Ron Howard says, "the movie is made in the editing room."
2. Embrace the culture of the room. Find a way to fit in and add value. Find solutions for problems that hold the team back. Communicate more and better.
3. Be energetic and contribute. "Make sure you talk." "Try to be useful, be helpful, be kind, and be nice. Be the first one there and the last one to leave. Always." This might sound obvious, but you're making an impression every day. Management guru Tom Peters echoes, "Every day is showtime."
4. "You have to be willing to fight for your opinion." Every idea won't be great or even good, but you need a presence. What is your talent? How are you making the team the best it can be? Preparation is everything. Want your teammates to respect your game, your ethos, your attitude.
5. Your performance and contribution relate to character (role). Your opportunity derives from your role...what are you bringing to the table?
Lagniappe: Monday's practice focus was on shooting. Today's practice will focus on skills for half and small-sided group play (2 v 2, 3 v 3) for the second half. Players must learn to create together. You don't learn how to run campaigns by solely reading about campaigns. You won't master SSG in one practice or five. Remember, these children don't live at the playground.
Sampler of 2 v 2 concepts
Sampler of 3 v 3 concepts