By Marc Lobliner
CMO Tigerfitness.com
“A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.’
I coach my son’s U11 soccer team. I’m just the line coach, but the guys who coach with me are also in the same mindset as me.
Positivity wins.
Let’s start with last weekend’s game.
It’s 0-0, the kick-off is short and we go down on it.
You can hear our coaches firing up our kids and getting the offense game ready. POSITIVE STATEMENTS. Many of “Let’s go!” and energy.
On the other side, you hear the coaches yelling angrily at their players for taking the kick.
First play from scrimmage, our line makes every block and opens up the outside for the running back to score.
You can hear their coaches yelling furiously as we celebrate.
We celebrated and the fullback hit us on the extra point.
After the cross, our defense kept them four and out. We got the ball again, touchdown. Plus grade good.
14-0 in two offensive games.p
Their coaches were still mad. Angry. Loud voice.
We smiled, encouraged our kids and ended up winning 42-0 on the mercy rule.
Our players are awesome, but not the biggest, not the fastest, not the strongest.
It’s about the culture and what you play.
We demand a lot from our athletes. Know your projects, DO YOUR JOB and we will win.
Every Tuesday after we win, I buy my linemen donuts and give them to everyone, telling them that a random lineman (changes every week) said everyone deserves donuts. We don’t punish every mistake with extra running and up and down. We focus on what we are doing RIGHT, not what we are doing wrong.
In the other game, one of my players was called for holding. He walked off the field expecting to be argued with. I put my arm around him and said, “What happened?” He explained it and then I said, “You’re better than this guy, you don’t need to hold back. Show the world how dominant you are!” He didn’t get a single call the rest of the game and crushed it.
This is also my management style at work. Managers are usually rubbish. You can do 1,000 things right and you mess up once and the manager attacks you.
THAT IS NOT THE WAY TO MANAGE!
Employees typically respond better to positivity, and many studies have found that positive reinforcement and a positive work environment can significantly improve employee motivation, performance, and well-being. Here are some reasons supported by various studies:
Increased productivity: According to a study conducted by the University of Warwick, happiness led to a 12% increase in productivity, while unhappy workers were 10% less productive. Research shows that human happiness has large and positive causal effects on productivity.
Better decision making skills: Research from the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Positive Psychology found that people who were induced to feel positive emotions were better at solving problems and making decisions than those in a neutral state.
Enhances creativity: Positive emotions broaden attention and allow people to think more broadly and openly. This is discussed in Barbara Fredrickson’s “broadening and building theory,” which suggests that positive emotions expand a person’s momentary thought-action repertoires.
Improved team collaboration: A study from MIT’s Human Dynamics Laboratory found that teams that communicate effectively, with members actively reaching out and connecting with all other team members, were more successful. Positive interactions contribute to this dynamic.
Reduced employee turnover: According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), a positive work environment and culture encourages employees to stay on the job longer, thereby reducing turnover rates. This is the KEY at Tigerfitness.com where most of our staff have been there for 5+ years!
Better health and wellness: A study published in Journal of Applied Psychology found that positive work environments and low job stress are associated with better employee health outcomes, which in turn can lead to reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.
Increased engagement: According to Gallup, engaged employees with high well-being are more likely to be connected to their organizations and are more productive.
Improved learning and flexibility: Research in the field of positive psychology has shown that positive emotions can facilitate adaptive thinking and flexibility in cognitive processing. This helps employees adapt to new situations and learn more effectively.
Higher levels of satisfaction: A study by BrightHR found that happiness is a key indicator of job satisfaction. Happy employees are more likely to report high levels of job satisfaction than those who report low levels of happiness.
It creates a positive feedback loop: A study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that experiencing positive emotions leads to higher levels of resilience, which in turn leads to increased positive emotions. This positive feedback loop has a myriad of beneficial effects in the workplace.
How about parenting?
The same thing. PRAISE YOUR CHILD! Make sure they know you love them. While bad behavior should be dealt with, be sure to reward good behavior as well. Did the child have a good day at school? Get him ice cream! Tell him you love him. Say you’re proud of him.
As my mother said, “You catch more flies with honey than crap.”
And one cannot deny the lifelong impact of a good coach. As the sign in the office says, “A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.”
Be positive and be a winner!
