Dr. Woodie Flowers,
FIRST National Advisor and Pappalardo
Professor Emeritus of Mechanical
Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, coined the term "Gracious
ProfessionalismTM."
Gracious Professionalism
is part of the ethos of FIRST. It's
a way of doing things that encourages
high-quality work, emphasizes the value of
others, and respects individuals and the
community.
With Gracious
Professionalism, fierce competition and
mutual gain are not separate notions.
Gracious professionals learn and compete
like crazy, but treat one another with
respect and kindness in the process. They
avoid treating anyone like losers. No chest
thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet
platitudes either. Knowledge, competition,
and empathy are comfortably blended.
In the long run,
Gracious Professionalism is part of pursuing
a meaningful life. One can add to society
and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing one
has acted with integrity and sensitivity.
CoopertitionTM
CoopertitionTM
produces innovation. At FIRST,
Coopertition is displaying unqualified
kindness and respect in the face of fierce
competition. Coopertition is founded on the
concept and a philosophy that teams can and
should help and cooperate with each other
even as they compete.
Coopertition involves learning from
teammates. It is teaching teammates. It is
learning from mentors. And it is managing
and being managed. Coopertition means
competing always, but assisting and enabling
others when you can.
