Key point #1: Sam Walker (The Captain Class) shares vital information about communication within great teams. He discusses champion captains Yogi Berra, Didier Deschamps, Tim Duncan and others. An MIT study explains, "whether a team was packed with talented, intelligent, and highly motivated individuals, or whether it had achieved solid results in the past, its communication style on any given day was still the best indicator of its performance."
You've interacted with players and coaches who barely needed words. Walker emphasizes Duncan's range of expressions - wide-eyed questioning of a call, narrowed eyes with chin dipping to reprimand a teammate's error, darting eyes probing for a solution. His vision and expressions commanded respect.
Key point two: Great communication is "practical, physical, and consistent". "Energy and engagement" defined positive results. Most coaches preach, "early, loud, and often."
We recognize effective communication WITHOUT WORDS. Studies of 10 second clips of teachers, with the SOUND OFF yield ratings of effectiveness converging with their audio counterparts. Our body language informs our Emotional Intelligence.
Kevin Eastman points out, "silent teams lose." Not only what we say, but how we deliver messages determines their impact. Anson Dorrance argues for constant positivity with girls and women. He believes that negativity and film of errors undermines player confidence.
Key point three: Reach out and touch. Walker describes Duncan's willingness to put an arm around a teammate, give an enthusiastic back or butt slap, or support with a gentle palm on the chest. "Teams who touch the most win the most." This releases the hormone oxytocin, also called the "cuddle hormone". Touch facilitates bonding. Coaching girls, we give out fist bumps or a rare head tap...
We need to be aware of what we say, how we say it, what we communicate non-verbally, and what we don't say...successful relationships have at least 3:1 positive to negative perception, but for marriage it has to be at least 5:1 positive!
Use communication science to improve our coaching.