Building Team Culture Using a Great Communication Framework
Posted by Don MacAdam
Whether you are in the pre-season phase or have taken over a team in midseason, developing a system that allows for smooth flowing communication within your team will do wonders for team culture.
At the moment, we are going through the experience of taking over a team that already played 46 of their 68 regular season games. Even at this late point in the season, we immediately set out to change the framework for the type of communication flow we wanted. This was the starting point to build a new team culture.
The first step we took in building our communication framework was to address the entire team and clearly outline what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior, on and off the ice. Discipline, good habits, and such topics were outlined to the team. But the starting point was communication.
We stressed that communication needs to be based on respect and common courtesy. One point we made, as basic as it may sound, is the use of ‘please’ and ‘thank you’; basic common courtesy words. We also set up a scenario where players and staff were encouraged to vocally greet each other when they came in contact with each other for the first time each day. The act of saying ‘Good Morning’ to each other was a positive starting point for us.
The next step was to have one-on-one meetings with each player. We allowed 15 minutes for each, with the ability to go longer if needed. Here we identified individual player strengths and weaknesses, and with player and the coaching staff interaction, we agreed on the role each player would play on the team. Highlights of the meeting were written down for future reference. Free flow between each player and the coaches has to happen. A one-sided conversation is hardly a desired situation.
As the head coach, be sure to do the same with assistant coaches, trainers, staff, and team personnel.
Trainers are of particular interest in setting the communication for your team and building a positive culture. They are typically the daily first point of contact for your players as players arrive at the rink. This needs to be positive interaction for all to set an upbeat mood for the day.
Having a positive communication system is essential. Sure, there will be times when there might be a need to reprimand, address negatives, and yell a little. All these situations can be handled in a respectful and constructive way.
Dealing with every situation in a consistent way will help keep the lines of communication in tact and information flowing in all directions.
Taking the time to clearly define acceptable behavior within your team, taking the time to meet individually with all involved, and focusing on positive reinforcement will help establish a strong team culture.
Making a Coaching Change During the Season
Posted by Don MacAdam
Few can imagine why a coaching change would be made during the season unless those in power felt compelled to do so. Regardless of the reasons, here are some points to consider by those involved-management initiating the change, and the coach coming on board.
- Do your homework.
Have all avenues to correct the existing situation been explored? Communication is the key here. If all have been explored, it is time to pull the trigger on the change.
Have the players been playing to their ability and is the team framework allowing this
to happen? If not, then a change likely is necessary.
Does the new coach know what the goals of the organization are? He had better!
Has management addressed concerns to the new coach?
Have resources been made available to allow for success?
- Watch the team play with an analytical eye.
Management should know the level the team and individual players are capable of.
The new coach should take the opportunity to watch his new team as an objective observer.
- Plan for a smooth transition.
Be sure all the right people have been contacted in advance and there are no surprises after an official announcement has been made.
Have a plan to move the old coach along in an expedient and dignified way. This can be done in a professional and classy way, with planning.
- Get up to speed quickly.
Know exactly what needs to be changed and immediately start making changes. Players will want to see things happening in a new and improved way.
- Define roles.
Meet with each player and staff member as soon as possible and have all very clear
on their role with the team.
Don’t assume that people know what you want and expect from them. You need to
clearly communicate what you want to each person individually.
Expectations need to be established and shared throughout the team.
- Build a new culture.
Start with respect for each other. Demand basic things like common courtesy to each other and saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. This might sound corny, but it works.
Lines of communication should always be clearly defined and free flow of information will follow. Lots of little meetings and informal chats work well.
I took over a team two weeks ago. There were 22 games left in a 68 game schedule. The team was not in a playoff spot and sliding in the opposite direction.
We have two wins and a tie in our first four games and we followed the plan laid out here. Hopefully it will continue to work.
Building Team Chemistry, Leadership and Culture With In-Season Team Building Activities
Posted by Don MacAdam
What team building activities do you do in-season with your players? Most of us have heard about teams going to exclusive resorts or being involved with some sort of expensive team building program or event. The cost alone will exclude most teams from participating in these types of events.
In the past I have used inexpensive ways to bring the team together and work on building the chemistry, leadership and culture of the team. Here are a few:
- Habitat for Humanity work day
- Museum visits
- NASCAR shop visits
- Cookouts
- Snowmobile parties
- Sightseeing tours
I asked some of my coaching friends to tell us what they do.
Danny Brooks, assistant coach with the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey league, had an extensive list of events that included rappelling 80 feet down the side of a building, working with ropes 60 feet up in trees, sport psychology sessions, and paintball. The team also uses ‘work ethic’ and ‘self esteem’ charts.
In our team building we jumped off the building, we climbed up the trees etc. Players want to know you are going to war with them. We are leaders who lead the charge not stand back and yell and give orders. If we ask our players to jump we jump first. Team building is critical in the success of the team both in short term events i.e. world juniors and in an 80 game season.
At the high school level coach Frank Hubley keeps it simple. His players already have full schedules with school and other activities.
With team building we use our off-ice sessions. We break the team into groups of 5-6 and work out in the weight room and run the stairs. We also have team meetings with the players.
At Ohio State assistant coach Jason Lammers talks about a neat team building exercise that the team just did.
We have really tried to focus on our team. Today we did a great one! We made a spider web and each of the guys had to fit through one of the holes in the web. It was great!
We are really trying to educate our leaders with articles, talks, and actions to show them how to be more effective.
Lots of coaches are using creative team building events to improve their teams and players. Most would agree that this can lead to greater individual and team success. It can be a lot of fun too!
Seminars and Clinics-on-Demand
Posted by Don MacAdam
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