347: Earning and Teaching Respect in Today’s Athlete
May 5, 2024
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Exploring the evolving dynamics of respect in sports, the hosts discuss earning respect from athletes, questioning traditional norms of authority, and navigating challenges in coaching. They emphasize the importance of communication, care, credibility, and consistency in fostering respect, highlighting the need for coaches to adapt to modern athletes' attitudes towards authority.
Respect in sports is evolving, with athletes preferring conversations over yelling from coaches.
Earn respect through open communication, care, credibility, and consistency in coaching.
Define respectful behaviors, model respect, set boundaries, and address disrespectful conduct promptly to maintain respect in coaching relationships.
Deep dives
Teaching Respect Through Historical Sports Films
Reflecting on the importance of earning respect from athletes, the podcast host recalls the impactful scenes from the sports film 'Hoosiers' where a coach's authority commanded respect without question. Drawing parallels to modern coaching challenges, the host emphasizes the need to instill values of respect in today's athletes, highlighting a shift from demanding respect to earning it.
Earning Respect Through Communication and Care
Engaging with athletes to understand their perspectives, the coaches recognize that respect must be earned through open communication, care for individuals, credibility, and consistency in coaching. Athletes value coaches who listen, seek feedback, and demonstrate genuine care, indicating a shift towards a two-way street of respect between athletes and coaches.
Defining Respect and Setting Expectations
Creating a mutual understanding of respect, coaches are urged to define respectful behaviors with their teams and maintain consistent standards. Encouraging coaches to model respect, show empathy, and have frank conversations with athletes about respectful conduct, the podcast advocates for setting clear boundaries and enforcing them respectfully.
Maintaining Respect Through Ownership and Continuous Improvement
Highlighting the importance of maintaining respect over time, the podcast emphasizes admitting mistakes, taking ownership, and committing to continuous improvement. Coaches are advised to reevaluate their understanding of respect, engage in respectful interactions, and address disrespectful behaviors promptly to foster a culture of mutual respect.
Encouraging Respect Through Awareness and Co-Creation
To cultivate respect within teams, coaches are encouraged to be aware of generational differences in defining respect and to engage in ongoing conversations to co-create standards of respect. By showing respect for players' time, being responsive to their needs, and avoiding reliance on past achievements, coaches can earn and uphold respect while fostering a collaborative relationship with athletes.
Exploring the changing dynamics of respect in sports, the hosts delve into the topic of respecting elders in the context of the coach-athlete relationship. Drawing from personal experiences and conversations with athletes, they reflect on how respect is evolving in the sports world. From athletes preferring to be spoken to rather than yelled at, to questioning traditional norms of respect, the episode raises thought-provoking questions about generational shifts in attitudes towards authority and respect.