Sport and the Growing Good #141 Coach Phil Jackson (6): How to give feedback.
1. De-personalizing the feedback. Disassociating the person from the action when providing feedback.
2. Players can be offended and defensive when receiving feedback. The system is the overriding key. “This doesn’t fit into what we do as a group.”
3. “It goes beyond words.” Players physical responses matter.
4. When providing feedback, you’ve got to be at the point of the action. Going up and down the court with the team in order to give immediate feedback.
5. Video sessions. There can be tension. Be purposeful about defusing the tension – perhaps inserting short humorous film clip.
6. Timing of feedback. Intuitive feeling.
7. Coaches who talk too much. There are 5,000-7,000 meetings that a player has with an NBA coach in a season… so, “There’s a lot to knowing the spirit of the activity. Knowing when to step in and when to allow.”
8. When and when not to give praise. “There are players that need it and thrive on it… and others that it goes right over their head.”
9. Issues with using the word “but” when giving feedback. “Sometimes it’s best to get right to the point.”
10. The importance of periodic tactile feedback to connect.
11. What makes a teammate effective at giving others feedback?
12. Sometimes with criticism, “just accept it.”
13. Bill Cartwright’s subtle leadership when competing with Michael Jordan.
14. When players are ready for feedback. The example of Kobe in game 7. “Just let it happen.”
15. Active listening. Taking graduate courses in psychology.
16. “It’s a valuable thing for coaches to just open things up and allow.”
17. George Mumford as a valuable third party listener.