Athletics
Yukelson's nine effective ways to enhance coach-athlete communications and team harmony:
Open communication channels by providing opportunities for athlete input. Communication is a group process, and mutual trust and respect are essential in order to keep the channels open.
Develop pride and a sense of collective identity within the group by setting out realistic team, individual, and subunit goals. Feelings of pride and satisfaction develop when individuals and groups attain challenging but realistic goals.
Strive for common expectations on what types of behavior are appropriate. "An organizational philosophy should specify not only the desired objectives the group is striving to achieve but also the strategy, operating procedures, or means to reach these goals as well."
Value unique personal contributions by emphasizing the importance of each of the roles that are necessary for group performance.
Recognize excellence by rewarding exceptional individual performance. Realistic objectives are set out and each individual clearly understands his or her role, the outstanding execution of that role should be recognized to enhance feelings of pride and commitment in the group and its members.
Strive for consensus and commitment by involving the total team in goal-setting activities.
Use periodic team meetings to resolve conflicts. Many explosive situations can be resolved by encouraging open communication within the team.
Stay in touch with the formal and informal leaders in the team. The team members with high prestige and status are not only a barometer for assessing and implementing necessary changes.
Focus on success before discussing any failure. A positive group climate is developed if the positive nature of group and individual performance is highlighted before errors and omittions are discussed.
