🏆 Do you have Entitled Athletes?

Good morning! A warm welcome to the 116 new subscribers who joined 6700+ others this week. We are happy to have you on board!

Here's what's coming:

• 10 Entitlement Questions to Ask 🏆

• Some John Wooden GOLD 🥇

• A Drew Maddox Post 🆇

• Read Time ~ 5 minutes.

Let's dive in.

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💭 ONE THOUGHT

🏆 Do you have Entitled Athletes?

No One Wants Entitled Athletes. They Will Destroy Your Culture.

In the world of sports, there is no room for entitlement.

Athletes who feel entitled can harm team dynamics, destroying the foundation of a thriving team culture.

As coaches, we must reflect on our own programs and ensure we are not inadvertently supporting entitlement.

Here are ten critical questions coaches can ask themselves to identify areas where entitlement may creep in.

1. Do I provide special treatment or privileges to certain athletes?

Treating certain athletes differently can create a sense of entitlement among them.

It is a false premise to think that coaches can treat all players equally. Every player has unique individual needs.

However, coaches must treat all players fairly and within the rules and standards of the tea.

This should be the bedrock of any team.

2. Do I make exceptions or bend the rules for specific athletes?

Making exceptions for specific individuals undermines team discipline and conveys a message that rules don't apply to everyone.

It is also essential to be open and transparent with the team on any decisions that affect the team.

Let them know the why.

Hold your team accountable. Be fair.

3. Am I hesitant to hold athletes accountable for their actions or lack of effort?

Avoiding accountability allows entitlement to flourish.

Holding athletes responsible for their actions ensures they understand the importance of commitment and hard work.

4. Do I prioritize individual player preferences over the overall needs of the team?

Placing individual desires above team goals will foster a culture of entitlement.

It will foster a culture of ME > WE.

Where the needs of the few outweigh those of the many.

Celebrate and recognize all roles on the team and make sure teammates respect and celebrate these roles as well.

5. Am I reluctant to provide constructive criticism or challenge entitled behavior?

Avoiding constructive criticism reinforces entitlement by shielding athletes from feedback and the opportunity to grow.

Feedback is the essence of teaching.

Great players crave feedback.

Accountability is about challenging and confronting issues when they occur.

This is why Culture is Every Day!

6. Do I provide excessive praise or rewards without appropriate justification?

Over-praising or over-rewarding athletes without genuine merit can create an entitlement mentality, where they expect recognition without earning it.

Make sure praise has been earned.

Then give it.

It will promote what you want in your program.

7. Am I fostering an environment where athletes feel entitled to playing time or leadership positions without earning them?

This is a big one.

Create an “Everything is Earned” Mindset in your program.

Merit-based opportunities are essential for growth.

Allowing entitlement to dictate playing time or leadership roles undermines the values of fairness and healthy competition.

This can quickly occur with seniors in your program. If your seniors feel entitled to playing time or a captainship, you may have to check what you are doing as a coach to foster this.

8. Am I failing to establish and enforce clear team rules and expectations?

Without clear rules and expectations, entitlement can run rampant, as athletes may believe they can bend or break the rules without consequences.

Culture is Every Day.

Hold your athletes accountable to the standards that you have set as a team.

9. Do I avoid addressing conflicts or negative behaviors because it might create discomfort?

Ignoring conflicts or negative behaviors perpetuates entitlement.

Addressing these issues promptly and constructively is crucial for maintaining a healthy team environment.

Carla Overbeck is one the best leaders in the history of Sport. Here she talks about the importance of accountability and addressing behaviors on a team.

10. Am I neglecting to teach essential life skills like humility, respect, and teamwork?

Teaching life skills is integral to building character.

Ultimately, it is what team sports are all about.

Neglecting to instill values such as humility, respect, and teamwork can contribute to an entitled mindset among athletes.

Summary: Entitlement will destroy a team culture if left unchecked. By reflecting on these questions, coaches can identify potential areas where entitlement may exist in their programs.

Recognizing these areas is the first step towards addressing them and fostering a culture built on fairness, accountability, and teamwork principles.

Remember, culture cannot be created overnight; it is a daily effort.

Take the necessary steps to build a strong team culture free from entitlement.

Good Luck!

📜 TWO QUOTES

🐦 THREE TWEETS 

🙋🏼‍♂️ POLL QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Last Week’s Poll Results:

When it comes to team dynamics, which factor do you believe has the greatest impact on overall team performance?

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