Coaches and Communication

with Carol Linden

MOTIVATION – Part I: How can a coach motivate different kinds of athletes/clients?

First of all, good noticing! Not all athletes and clients are alike. Today, we’re going to talk about understanding what motivates different kinds of athletes and clients by understanding that they have different “core drivers” or “core motivators.” There are four patterns that occur in humans according to Temperament Theory. Not to be boring, but this theory goes back to the Greeks. Lucky for us a couple of Americans, Dr. David Kiersey and Dr. Linda V. Berens (she’s still alive and my mentor) have researched and written extensively on Temperaments and how they are key to understanding why people can be so different in how they are motivated.  (Chris here: this approach is a game changer in how to motivate and connect with people!)

I’ll layout descriptions of each of the four types and let Coach Morland give you more coach-specific pointers. You can use the table at the bottom as a quick reference guide.

The Four Temperaments

Improvisers: The Daring Performers

You don’t have to push them to be daring. They don’t know how not to be. They have a natural physical confidence that other kids don’t have innately. Many of your team players will be Improvisers because they’re so drawn to physical feats of skill.

They tend to get in trouble if they get bored. And, that’s asking for trouble. Keep them busy. Keep them reaching. If the practice isn’t fun, they’ll want to blow it off for something that is. Make it as fun as you can and always help them connect the purpose of the repetitive thing you’re asking them to do. Consciously help them connect why the boring thing is building their skill for the performance.

Use clear, concrete language with them and be linear in your logic. Shoot straight with them. Don’t “talk them to death.” When they’re listening to you, all they’re listening for is, “And you want me to do . . . “  (Chris here:  this is the point guard in basketball, quarterback or middle linebacker in football, and outgoing types in team sports)

Stabilizers: The Dutiful Team Members

This is the one group of kids who will accept “because it’s the rule” as a reason. Stabilizers have a natural respect for the chain of command and authority figures.

They do need clarity from you. Be concrete in your language and linear in your logic. They’ll understand you and do their best to live up to your expectations.

They very much want to feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves. And they want a sense that they’re making a contribution. Give them tasks that help them show up as responsible and dependable. That will really build their self-esteem.  (Chris here: these are the post players in basketball, offensive lineman in football, and reliable types in team sports)

Theorists: The Independent Ones Who Want to Know WHY

You’ll never coach a more independent-minded athlete or client than a young Theorist. They are naturally skeptical of what others tell them, especially authority figures. They’re not asking why to be belligerent. They really have to know why in order to function. They work within a theoretical framework for everything they do. Sports is no different.

Not only do they want to know why but also how the thing you’re asking them to do will help them perform better. They love deeply understanding things.

Think of their whys as useful information they are giving you. Their questions tell you exactly what they need from you in order to trust what you’re saying and do what you’re asking. Give them a good why. Their need for being competent and doing well is extreme. They will push themselves harder than anyone else ever could, and they are the most self-critical children you’ll ever work with. Help them understand the why and they’ll perform for you.

Don’t set them up for failure to teach them a lesson. Their need for competence is so high that doing that will damage their self-esteem. And having damaged self-esteem will not help them perform for you and the team. (Chris here:  these are the cognitive thinkers who need to see the whole game plan before they commit.  Show them the complete program or game plan and answer their questions and they’ll be motivated.)

Catalysts: The Empathic Ones Who Pull a Team Together

Like Stabilizers, Catalysts really do want to live up to your expectations.

They’re eager learners and will enjoy learning new things and new ways to do things.

They’re sensitive. Please be respectful of that. Trying to “toughen them up” won’t work. They’re naturally empathetic. You can’t train that out of them. It’s their very sensitivity and empathic abilities that help them pull everyone together and develop a sense of oneness as a team.

Use their skill to help the team meld together. They’re a great source of inspiration for other team members and they’re a secret “glue” behind the scenes that helps hold the team together. Use that ability of theirs for the sake of the team. They’re good at it. (Chris here: the quiet leaders are here in that they are “likeable” and influence by bringing the team together.  Every team has these players and it’s the job of the coach or trainer to pick them out because they can keep the whole group going!)

Which one of the temperaments are you from the following chart?

Can you see one of your athletes or clients in the following descriptions?

Reference Table: The Four Temperaments

Temperament and Prime Motivator	How to Recognize Them	Tips for Coaching Them
Improvisers Prime Motivator: To perform at their best	·      The most physically daring, naturally. ·      Love to be constantly in action. ·      Need to understand why it’s important to do the boring part ·      Love to develop their abilities so that they can perform with great skill and even elegance	·      They don’t like to embarrass themselves by being forced to perform before they can live up to their own level of skill. ·      They don’t see the point in rules. Help them see the point, how it will make them more skillful. ·      Do not bore them. That’s just asking for acting out. ·      Help them become great performers. Exhibition of skill builds their self-esteem.
Stabilizers Prime Motivator: To be seen as responsible and to contribute.	·      Want to be organized and follow the rules. ·      Want to please adults and authority figures. ·      The most likely of all 4 types to follow the rules just because that’s what you’re supposed to do.	·      They’re not hard; they really do want to please you. ·      Give them specific instructions. If you’re clear, they’ll do their best to live up to your expectations. ·      Give them tasks that show how responsible and dependable they are.
Theorists Prime Motivator: To ALWAYS understand the WHY of the situation. To in all situations be seen as COMPETENT.	·      Are perhaps the most independent of all the Temperaments. ·      MUST know the REASON they are doing something. ·      Seem to be “in their heads” a lot. ·      Always figuring out the strategy. ·      Often asking “why?” ·      Are perhaps the most self-critical.	·      Do not mistake their skepticism as belligerence. ·      Do not mistake them constantly asking “Why?” as disrespectful. Their minds work this way. Tell them why doing it a certain way helps them be successful. ·      Also help them understand how what you’re asking them to do works to improve their skill or performance.
Catalysts Prime Motivator: To be kind to others and feel the oneness of being part of a team.	·      Are cooperative like Stabilizers, but for a different reason. ·      They don’t need the rules, but they do want to please you. ·      Want to see everyone treated well. If you act harshly toward another player, they will be empathetic and feel the pain as well. ·      Are probably the most tender-hearted, empathic kids you’ll ever work with.	·      They want to please you. Remember that. ·      They like learning new things and new ways to do things. ·      They are the most tender-hearted players you’ll ever have. Please try not to ever embarrass them about their sensitivity. They’re a great “glue” for the whole team.

Reference:

Keirsey, David, Ph.D. Please Understand Me II. Prometheus Nemesis Book Company. Del Mar, CA, 1998

Note:

Keirsey uses the labels Artisan, Guardian, Rational, and Idealist. In this blog, I use Berens’ more modern terms. They just seem to work better in the 21^st century.

Carol A. Linden
Effective With People, LLC
“playing well with others is good business”
919 599-9301

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