March 23rd Coaching Tip: Friends First.
As I watched my IU Hoosier women’s basketball team wrap up their loss to South Carolina, I noticed that one of our IU players stopped and truly hugged one of the SC players. And then, after all the players shook hands, the SC player came back thru the line and hugged, then quickly gave a sweet cheek-kiss to the IU player. Why would they do that, aren’t they competitors? Yes, of course they are competitors. But they are friends first and have been friends for years. It was a pleasant site to witness, and the TV cameras even showed the parents of both of these players hugging each other. As you compete, remember to remain friends with those who really are friends. I’ve learned that I now have friends that I competed against or with daily in practice, and I’m so glad that many are still my friends. Friends first!
March 24th Coaching Tip: Evolve.
My word for the year is Reduce. One of my colleague’s word is Evolve. I like it, because she is our senior coach, with incredible experience, and more senior than me and our manager. She wants to continue to evolve by embracing new ways of doing business, learning from others, and working a bit differently. If you were in the last few years or months of your career, how willing would you be willing to evolve?
Many of my elders have shared with me that when you stop learning and growing, you start slipping and dying. Now that I have more grey hairs, I truly support this thinking. Tonight, we watched “The Americas” series on Peacock, narrated by Tom Hanks. We kept watching episode after episode, consuming all of the incredible cinematography as well as the education on all of these animals, insects, and species. Keep evolving.
March 25th Coaching Tip: No 2am Texts.
My mother and I talk and text every single day. We share a lot and are very close. Over the last month, she has shared with me that someone in our family has texted her at 2am on a couple occasions and has also sent an additional 8-10 texts since March 19.
This is a coaching lesson in emotional intelligence: 1) when you want a senior/elderly/84 year old woman to help you, don’t text them at 2am. 2) when you want help, maybe call them and ask how THEY are doing and really care about what is shared. 3) if you are sending an additional 8-10 texts, look in the mirror, and ask yourself, “why aren’t I getting any response?” (from the 84 year old woman). 4) and don’t deny it when you are called out for doing it.
I have texted my family member twice now, and let them know that my mom is busy thru tax time (April 15) and managing over 10 farms. I also requested that the 2am texts stop. Due to al ack of emotional intelligence, the family member (of course) indicated that they don’t text much, didn’t do the 2am texts, wasn’t adding any stress to the situation, and indicated this was like high school drama. Bottom line: wake up, look in the mirror, own your errors, be more in tune with elderly people, and for goodness sakes, don’t be rude to them when you need a favor. Seniors (like my mother) have who multiple stents in their hearts and have had two hip surgeries in the last 2+ years, lost their husband of 63 years, keep their phone “on”, charged up, and nearby. and their Apple watch on their wrist. Just stop and think, no 2am texts.