How To Effectively Manage Your Communication With Team Mates

Your success in communicating effectively in team sports is about communicating to and with team mates.

So do you play a team sport like Football, Handball, Dodge ball, Floorball, Hockey or Netball? Then you will know that there are times where communication is absolutely non-existence for reasons ranging from disagreements on issues, lack of confidence, poor co-operation/team work and sporting culture. All of these can cause a break down in communication. Below are two points to think about to get your view across in a way that is effective. Good communication is important in any social context and this couldn't be more relevant in team sports where a player's ability to perform well is sometimes dependent on the communication of a fellow team mate. Get it right and you will see a better team effort and co-operation. Get it wrong then you risk increasing  low morale or failing to improve cohesion.

 

Communicating To Team Mates

Firstly, communicating effectively is about understanding and appreciating that certain team mates are more responsive to a certain approach. Communicating to your team mates relates to how, when, why and what information you pass on to your team mate when communicating. You may have a team mate (s) that doesn't listen to your sound suggestions no matter what. They may be stubborn or too arrogant to listen but you need to consider  is it perhaps the way you communicate that is the reason you cannot get the response that you expected? Because people like to be communicated to in a way that acknowledges their strengths. So you need to be sensitive to their personality, views and experiences. This will impact on how they communicate to you in return. In your team you may have an individual that likes to be respectfully be given advice that doesn't embarrass them in some way. In fact this can hurt their confidence if they have the perception that they are being picked on or being barricaded by a fellow team mate. It is not a good feeling. For an team mate like this it may be best to praise them as well as giving constructive criticism.

Communicating With Team Mates

Secondly, you need to listen carefully. This means that you sometimes need to communicate with team mates  by  sitting back and allowing them to interact with you. Part of communicating with individuals is also about learning  about the other person and to learn we must listen at some point. Communication is also about taking in information accordingly as well as giving information. Your team mates are much more likely to be open to your views if you listen to their concerns and opinions because then they can at least trust that you understand. The ability to listen well to your team mate and respond accordingly is a skill that can help you pick up cues about how to approach your team mate.