Learning and Development
“My two kids are in a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey development program, with Parent-Child games coming up”. I was honored an old friend asked me to skate with 8-12 year old kids. A skills competition preceded each game, here are my takeaways:
First, clear and concise communication is critical! “The fastest lap around the ice rink start and stop at the red line.” Couldn’t believe interpretation; a few kids skated the wrong way around the ice almost colliding into a parent goalie was quick to call me out. Some kids didn’t skate through the red line, a belly slide photo finish stopping short of red line. Some neglected to skate around the goals at each end of the ice, clearly more fast and happy to ignore feedback.
Second, model what good looks like. Motivating and a road map with basis for performance coaching. Jakob Nielsen’s 90-9-1 Rule says, sitting on the bench to observe is what 90% of people do wether they know how to skate or not. 9% are semi active participants like the critical goalie (who I put two one timers past :)) The 1% of active participants are critical to success in communities and businesses everywhere.
Third, encourage positive self talk and reward efforts. I realized asking “what’s your name” was important for me to report the time after they made it around. This was embarrassing because it wasn’t about me, it’s about the kids looking up to me. As I practiced getting the kids fired up to compete, planting positive self talk before the whistle and celebrating/rewarding times to them after they crossed the red line..times improved and all kids smiled, got better, wanted to try again, they had more fun.
In conclusion, the fastest and smallest child on the ice pointed his glove at his eyes then at mine and said “everyone is passing you the puck, I’m watching you and imma take that puck”. Communication awareness is critical, modeling gives credible road maps and encouragement for positive self talk with reward talk makes better results and fun for all!
GOOD LUCK TO THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTENING IN THE CONFERENCE FINALS.