Tips for Becoming an Effective T.E.A.M. Leader

We approach the T.E.A.M. leader starting line with different strengths, motivations, and emotions to reduce antisemitism. The following tips can boost you to success regardless of your starting point. Just remember to do them!

“Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears”

—Arthur Koestler, British Jewish author and journalist, 1905–1983

Tip 1 — Start with YOURSELF!  Your answers to the following questions are critical.

  1. So that I am able to be thoroughly present, do I know and will I use techniques to calm myself before each T.E.A.M. meeting? (If your answer is no, for calming techniques, see Guidebook to learn some.)
  2. Acknowledging that slow and steady makes learning easier, do I have the commitment to aspire to a 15–20-minute T.E.A.M. meeting each week?
  3. Internalizing that sometimes T.E.A.M. members need hours, days, or weeks to process information, can I avoid criticizing myself if the meeting does not go as I expected?

Tip 2 — Schedule regular T.E.A.M. meetings — Make meetings a regular occurrence, not just when antisemitic incidents happen. Many activities in the Guidebook can be accomplished during one meeting.

Tip 3 — Use only Active Listening; hear another’s words with deliberate intention by always following active listening’s four key elements:

  1. Pay face-to-face full attention to the speaker, making sure to avoid distractions, thoughts of your “to do” list, sights and sounds in the environment.
  2. Show that you are listening by open body language; nods or a smile; short verbal comments, such as “yes”, “a-ha”, “mmmm”, “That sounds interesting.” Also, notice the speaker’s body language.
  3. Restate in your own words what the speakers have said to enable speakers’ checking that you understood their feelings and thoughts.
  4. Defer judgment. Be empathetic, nonjudgmental, consider what’s said from the speaker’s perspective.

MORE TIPS IN COUNTERING ANTISEMITISM & HATE GUIDEBOOK