4 Safe Assumptions

When interacting with people, there are four safe assumptions that make a big difference.

MARK'S MUSINGS

Coach Ambrose

"People don't care how much you know till they know how much you care." During the time that I have been able to teach and coach, I have always sought to connect with students and athletes early on after meeting them. They will tend to learn much better the sooner they know that I am in their corner rooting for them. To help me do this, I embraced the following four safe assumptions a long time ago:

  1. Everyone wants to be valued

  2. Everyone wants to be encouraged

  3. Everyone needs a role model

  4. Everyone wants to participate

I borrowed these (and made them my own) from the following book Leading From the Lockers when I first read it a couple of decades ago.

Have you met anyone who doesn't want to be valued or who doesn't ever need encouragement? Every 'fight / argument' that happens in the classroom or on the athletic field or court stems from someone feeling like they have been disrespected or are discouraged in some way. Just like our bodies need oxygen to survive, I believe people many times need encouragement to survive. Encouragement is the oxygen of the soul. Value and encouragement go hand in hand. Be proactive not reactive! It's very hard to get respect (value) from others if we do not give it to others first.

It is necessary for youth to see proper behavior being modeled. People (esp. young people) smell hypocrisy pretty quickly. While teaching that students should eat well and exercise, my message will tend to get through more if I am a role model for that message. I better eat well and exercise myself. Common sense isn't it? Be a role model for others.

And finally, everyone wants to participate. People might not act like they want to jump in and play the game right away (some do!), but I haven't seen many athletes in my time who join the team to sit the bench! Learning and enjoyment in the classroom (or on the athletic field or court) best occurs when a person gets to participate in the discussion, the activity, the game!

So there you have it! As a teacher/coach (as a person), I proactively try my best to follow these four safe assumptions: to value and encourage others, to be a role model, and provide everyone the opportunity to participate. Just do it (Like Nike!) and your relationships with others will benefit greatly.

Hubba Hubba!

-Coach Ambrose

COACHAMBROSE.COM