![]() Every athlete, coach, sport scientist, manager or executive in a club or sporting organisation is different. This is the single most important factor in supporting teams and individuals to be the best that they can be. I have saved the best and most crucial tip till last. Ensuring the culture is about “self-awareness” Whereas by asking better questions such as “How can we make sure this goes better next time?” or “To make this move go more smoothly next time what do we need to do?” this then turns the conversation into a group effort with no one singled out for making an error.ĥ. It had a big impact on their confidence levels. In video analysis sessions in a professional rugby team that I’ve worked with in the past, often errors would get pointed out by taking the approach of “What happened and why?” players often came away angry and deflated. However, if you are going to build a sporting environment which maintain psychological safety your focus must be on solutions and what needs to happen. It is so easy when things go wrong in sport, when emotions are running high to get involve in blaming people. This can then stop them approaching you for even the smallest things.Įnsure meetings take place to set some standards around blame, so everyone is on the same page. Make sure if you are a coach that you are aware when you look tired, bored or unhappy – players will see it a mile off and they may internalise messages you’re sending. Nodding your head in discussions and leaning forward can be helpful. As a coach, you could rephrase it – I heard you say that you struggle to come of your line to deal with crosses, why is that? This can open up conversations and help clarify any misunderstandings.Įye contact, your facial expressions and actively appearing interested by the way you hold your body can demonstrate that you are engaged. For example, a goalkeeper may struggle coming off their line to deal with crosses. For instance, if a player complains that they can’t do a certain skill. In addition to actively listening, you could get into the habit of trying to understand the other person’s perspective by asking effective questions when you have these conversations. ![]() It certainly won’t create an environment where people feel speaking up is encouraged and accepted. If you’re distracted or there in body but not in spirit, not interested in what they are saying then this is likely to cause significant challenges. Whether you are a player, coach or senior manager in the club or organisation ensuring that you actively listen to your colleagues shows that you respect them and value their ideas and opinions. Senior coaches and players should be given training and spend time understanding why this is so important too and how they can influence the culture. How can we create a psychologically safe environment?įrom the top down, senior management of your club or organisation must buy into this approach or the chances are the processes that you put in place will break down. In sports psychology Kahn describes it as: “Being able to show and employ one’s self without fear of negative consequences of self-image, status or career“. ![]() As a result, employees don’t feel the need to censor themselves before talking and are not afraid to speak up.” Harvard Professor, Amy Edmundson describes psychological safety as“creates a team climate where people are encouraged to take risks fearlessly and nurtures mutual trust, support and respect. Psychological safety has interested many people in different psychological fields and in the workplace in recent years. So how can you help yourself if you’re a coach or help your players take more risks and stretch themselves more freely. Yet to progress in your sport, to achieve your potential, risk taking and stretching yourself is essential. Throw in sport, when players are exposed to a competitive, emotion charged environments, with attention coming at them on the sidelines and now more and more through digital platforms, this can be overwhelming and frightening. Being comfortable, playing it safe, taking the back seat or being routine like is a big part of some individuals personality. Taking risks come naturally for some people and not for others. Where does this come from? Often FEAR is a big reason. Often situations crop up where players don’t want to tell the coach that your unhappy with tactics employed or team-selection, especially if you’ve recently had a bad game! Some even play it safe in a group environment wanting to voice something but then retreating back and regretting it later. Whether it is on the pitch when passing the ball or selecting a shot to play many players retreat into their shell taking a safe approach.
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