The Standard is The Standard

AO: The Olympiad

When: 12/08/2022

Number of Pax: 28

DR Names:

Number of FNGS: 1

FNG Names:

QIC: Blue Gill


Introduction

Millville reached out as he was feeling a little under the weather to see if YHC was interested in taking the Q.  I never back down to opportunities to Q, its invigorating!  Instead of changing the preblast, YHC just left it as is and instead made a comment that I heard there was going to be a surprise.  Surprise Blue Gill is the Q!

Noteworthy:  Upon YHC’s arrival to the AO to perform a cursory check of the AO and get ready for an EC Run, there were three of Joliet’s finest parked by the bus parking lot area.  I thought for sure as I passed by them that they would find me ‘sus’ and approach at some point to inquire what I was doing at 0420.  After passing by them and returning to the flag area, I saw two of them speed off for what seemed like an emergency call.  As YHC, arrived back to the flag area to plant a flag and take out a few shiny new coupons, the other black/white pulled up.  As the officer got out of his vehicle, we exchanged pleasantries and then he proceeded to tell me that there was a report by a concerned citizen of 5-6 people dressed black just up the road.  Mr. Friendly knew we worked out here in the the early morning and wanted to see if I knew whether or not the “dudes” dressed in black up the street were part of our group.  Although not 100% certain I conveyed that its most likely MEN that are part of our group, rucking.  Apparently there’s been an uptick in vehicle theft in the area and the only description is the criminals are dressed in black.  A call to dispatch, the officer relayed that its likely the guys that workout at the school in the early morning and shortly thereafter the other two officers returned to the school area.  We chatted for a bit more and then they departed and YHC met up with a few other HIMs to go do an EC 3 Mile Run.

Warm-O-Rama

The warmup consisted of SSHs, Arm Circles, Good Mornings, The Other Tappy Taps (so I named them) but were in fact just modified Abe Vigodas after one of  the PAX corrected me (TIA), and Hand Release T Merkins.   Once we finished WOR, the PAX Rucked and we moseyed to a different parking lot (near the bus area where YHC first saw Joliet’s finest hanging out….again)

The Thang

This beatdown was all about form and cadence.  YHC went over the below movements and standards using a ruck and then as a group performed 5 good reps in cadence.

  • [ ] Squats
  • [ ] Shoulder Press
  • [ ] Front Squats
  • [ ] Chest Press
  • [ ] Leg Raises
  • [ ] Flutter Kicks
  • [ ] Down on 12 and Get Back Up
Q Calls Cadence
  • [ ] Squats
  • [ ] Shoulder Press
  • [ ] Front Squats
  • [ ] Chest Press
  • [ ] Leg Raises
  • [ ] Flutter Kicks
  • [ ] Down on 12 and Get Up
Perform movements with varied reps as group and in cadence.  After going through each of the movements do short group mosey and then repeat.  Increase/vary reps and cadence with each set.
After about 25-30 minutes, the PAX Moseyed back to flag area to swap out rucks for coupons.
Repeating a similar setup as THANG1, THANG2 was performed by the PAX with just coupons (no rucks)
Taking advantage of the situation, YHC asked who has not Q’d a beatdown before (a handful of PAX raised their hands) YHC called on each of these MEN to lead the group in an exercise
Performance Standards
Demo and then have PAX perform 5 good reps in cadence
  • [ ] Back Squats
  • [ ] Shoulder Press
  • [ ] Goblet Squats
  • [ ] Narrow Chest Press
  • [ ] Leg Raises
  • [ ] Flutter Kicks
Mary consisted of a few flutterkicks to close out the session

Circle of Trust

As always some great AAR was provided and YHC encourages future Q’s to get that AAR not only for their benefit, but also the benefit of everyone else.  Stronger Together.  Announcements were read (thanks so much Soft Hands) and then we were reminded we had a FNG (who found us through social media), Karl was brought into the center where he told us a little about himself.  A local guy that lives by the Target in Shorewood.  YHC did a little recon on his FB profile and found out one of his hobbies.  Karl fessed up 🙂  Welcome @Spare Change!

My COT focused on one of the Q Points in Q-Source, Quadrant 4 (Leave Right)…..

Team Accountability – Setting and maintaining high standards within the team.
  • [ ] We are a team as we are both purposeful and proximate
A Team needs collective Accountability just as a HIM needs individual Accountability
A Team without Standards will rapidly Decelerate and becomes static, which is the opposite of Dynamic. A static Team (at best) might morph into a Club (a Group that accomplishes nothing but continues to exist because its Members like each other) but will more likely disintegrate altogether, as it is the nature of the HIM to search for a Group that is Purposeful.
Standards are meaningless if the Q will not Enforce them
If a Team does have Standards, but the Q can’t or won’t Enforce them, the Members will lose respect for his Leadership, which erodes the Trust necessary for the Team to Prosper. The same result occurs where the Q does not Enforce the Standards evenly between all the Members–loss of respect, leading to erosion of Trust, ending with disintegration of Team.To set effective Standards for his Team the Q must do more than just announce them or write them on the wall. He must weave them into the culture of the Team through constant repetition and reinforcement. It should also go without saying that the Q himself must be able to meet the Standards he has set for the Team. In fact, that’s too soft a statement. To Lead by example, the Q must exceed his Team’s Standards.
The Q does not quit on the willing
This is why the Q does not give up on the Members of his Team who are willing to Accelerate to Standard. Not only because he recognizes that it would be to the Advantage of the Team, but because he loves the man and wants the best for him.There is a big difference between a man who can’t (injured, don’t know, etc. ), but Willing to follow the standard versus a man that won’t and is unwilling (a man that is putting all his effort to row the boat in the opposite direction then the rest of the team)
Team Accountability – Setting and maintaining high standards within the team.
The standard is the standard! 

TAPs (Thoughts and Prayers)

Naked Man Moleskin

The goal today was to reinforce the need for standards, high standards, and the need for accountability!  Each PAX is there to serve not themselves but the men around them.  By holding each other accountable (with love) , we ensure that we are setting and maintaining high standards.  Once everyone is meeting the standards, we move the bar a little as we don’t just maintain standards, we maintain high standards and that requires setting the bar higher. (Acceleration)  Maintaining is decelerating and that leads to mission failure.

Thanks to Millville for providing the opportunity to Q (hope you get better soon brother) and thanks to Soft Hands for reaching out in advance, getting the plan, and having our six!   If you see officer friendly out in the gloom at The Olympiad make sure to say hi…they know who we are! (some guys that workout at like 0500)  Now we just need to EH a few of them!

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