I made it through Thanksgiving!  I'm so genetically gifted (and my mom and sister kept me busy on the farms) that I actually lost weight over the break.  On day 1 back in the weight room I had an all-staff meeting with my assistants.  No fireworks - I think they held back, which is bullshit, but I understand.

I hate meetings.  I think they can be a tremendous waste of time, but sometimes, are definitely necessary.  We don't meet much during the semester.  I try to let them know that they have a job and I expect them to handle their business.  For the most part, they did.

I started with the positives.  Crickets...  I think they were nervous to be the first to speak.  Finally, they listed off a few things and I agreed.

Then it was the fun stuff.  What we sucked at.  Even more crickets.  I'm not sure if they actually think they're perfect or if it was just fear of possibly hurting someone's feelings.  Either way, we finally got into some things that I also agreed with.

I decided that this time I would let them speak before I said anything.  I didn't want to set the tone and them to simply fall in line.  I wanted them to be honest and straight forward before I put any thoughts out there.  I was hoping for a productive session.  It wasn't terrible, but I definitely think they held back.

After the group improvements, I asked what I needed to get better at.  More goddamned crickets.  This time I decided to open my mouth and tell them what I thought I sucked at in an effort to get them to open up.  There were a few things they brought up on top of what I brought up, which I agreed with.

As I've thought about it I've come up with a few thoughts that I want to pass on.

  1. If you're a head coach/manager and you ask for criticism be prepared for it (which I am).  When I ask, I truly want to hear what I'm not good at.  That's the only way I can improve.  Now, I understand that it may not be easy for 25 year olds to criticize their boss, but I tried to make it clear that they weren't going to hurt my feelings.  I think it's important to ask for criticism.  It helps me improve and it shows that I'll give it, but also take it.  Kind of practicing what I preach.
  2. If you're a GA/young coach and a head coach asks for your criticism and YOU KNOW they mean it, give it.  You're helping them.  You may have to be "gentle" in your delivery, but I think it's important that the "boss" hears and more importantly, listens to the people that work for them.  Plus, there will be a point in anyone's career where they will need to stand up for themselves or make a point and this is good practice.  I understand that not all coaches/managers will even ask.  And of the ones that do ask, most don't actually want to hear the truth.  This is where it gets weird.  You have to have a clue about who your boss is and if they actually want to hear it.  This means you need to develop some situational awareness.  Life skills.
  3. GA's/young coaches understand that your opinion does matter (to a point).  That doesn't mean to spew your thoughts at every opportunity that you think  presents itself.  It means, if you're asked, give it.  If it's a situation where you're ACTUALLY being wronged or it's a bad situation then stand up for yourself.  This also takes a little situational awareness.  Case and point, one of my assistants got upset with me because when he got here I busted his balls about how he worked out.  He felt "wronged" because he's a sensitive millenial.  He opened his mouth because he's one of those tat feels he needs to be heard... ALL THE TIME.  He couldn't be more wrong.  But, sometimes, you do need to express your concerns.  When you do this, do it diplomatically.  Don't "come at" someone.  Ease it out there and choose your words and your tone wisely as you bring it up.

Alright, I'm done preaching.  Hopefully, this made some sense.  It was just something that was floating around in my head.  Now, it's time to get in the weight room and get back into my training groove.