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People often ask if I still get nervous when I deliver workshops. I delivered my first government agency workshop--GO NNSA--and, yes, I was pretty nervous. Or, was I excited?! Did you know that the body reacts the exact same way to nervousness and excitement? Physiologically, our heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rates all increase. Essentially, it is what we name the emotion that influences our mindset. The first time I heard this, 10+ years ago, it was a game-changer. Just like an athlete, I don't want to lose that excitement, nervousness, game-ready physiology that allows me to bring my best self to a workshop. And, I don't want to be paralyzed by the physiology of fear or nerves.
Imagine the conversation the next time a player says "but I'm really nervous" before a big game, or an employee before a huge presentation, or your son/daughter before a big test, and you respond with "of course you are, nervous is normal." Then you break down this concept and have them recall a time they were really excited and what they were saying to themselves. Self-talk is huge in sports and in life. If we can prep those around us to try to replace the scary or negative talk they currently use, with language that is positive and supportive, what a huge win for all of us.
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The other thing people ask is "but do you know anything about ___?," whether that be a government agency, technology firm, or any other random group I might be working with. People know that I primarily work with educators and coaches and thus, my area of expertise seems to lie in athletics. However, it has become crystal clear and confidence building for me to say that I don't need to know much about their particular industry because "Culture Is Culture," and I know about it!
Once we understand that just like there are fundamentals to sports, there are fundamentals to culture, we are in a better position to work on it. At the heart of any culture lies its core values or simply, what matters most. Get crystal clear from the start. The following fundamentals will help you build your base on the courts/fields, in the office, or at home with the family!
Get everyone on the same page! Talk about it. Establish clarity of expectations around these values.
When you can, get the right people on the bus. Hire, recruit for those who are aligned. As far as your family goes--please don't kick 'em off the bus but maybe tell 'em what is necessary to have a comfortable seat!
Recognize and reward that which matters. Align verbal praise, monetary or symbolic rewards with the value, not the outcome.
Walk the talk. Model what you want to see.
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