6

A Checklist for Responding to Team Troubles ..................................................

Before you act on any apparent problem, especially when
things seem to be out of control, always outline a plan. Great
coaches don’t react to situations. They give themselves time to
think a problem through. One of the many reasons that Shirley
Tilghman, a pioneer in mapping the human genome, was chosen
as Princeton University’s first woman president was her strength
in pulling dissenting opinions together. She acted, not reacted,
after listening and studying each position. Others might respond
on impulse with their first thoughts or react to a time pressure. A
good coach plots exactly what course is needed to remedy the
situation.

To help you keep a cool head in a crisis, answer these eight
questions before you make a move.

1. What are the facts of the problem?
   Be thorough with this one. Do your homework. The act of
   listing the facts can be the shortest route to revealing an
   obvious problem.
   A form like the “Fact-Recap Sheet” shown here provides a
   simple but solid way to organize your thoughts and shape
   a plan of action.

Integrating the Individual and the Team

Fact-Recap Sheet

Known Numbered by First step Second What created What would prevent

problems importance to take step the problem? recurrence?