Empathy Fuels Connections
People don't want to follow someone who leads from above. Even if this person is extremely skilled and has a powerful vision, there is a void of leadership if there is no connection. Instead of, "why can't you do this like me?" the leader says, "let's do this together."
One of the most powerful phrases from the T.E.A.M. First chapter in my book, Leadership Training for Softball (or Baseball), is, "Don't get mad, get curious." I am convinced that empathy is underappreciated and that teaching it better can significantly improve team chemistry. I hope you find the three minutes to watch this video as useful as I did:
Leaders invest time into their teammates. Coaches create a team culture that generates respect and encourages connections. Here are a few strategies I've used to empower leaders and build team chemistry:
- Have players share information about themselves with the team such as three things on their bucket list, favorite sport other than this one, favorite quote, or one thing about themselves that nobody on the team knows.
- Make a team rule that says player to player communications on the field or court are not allowed to be critical, but they are allowed to be curious.
Can you add a strategy to this list?