Have a Common Language
It’s important for your team to have a common language. A set of words used to communicate effectively in and around the rink. Players can learn the vocabulary that will be used by the coach to process information faster.
I’ve shared a list of terms I used with my previous junior team if you need some ideas on how to get started with one of your own.
Have one for both your culture and on-ice technical and tactical jargon.
This one highlights some of my former team’s language around culture.
Culture Glossary
You can’t build a reputation and legacy on what you say you are going to do. You must do the work. This glossary will keep our team all using the same language.
Leadership- Taking responsibility for things you don’t control and making them better
Culture- Belief, behavior and experience you give and get.
Behavior- What you do. What you don’t do. How you do it.
Results- The level of execution based on the quality of the behavior.
20 Square Feet- Your sphere of ownership in the culture. Your beliefs and behaviors.
Elite- The best you can with intention, purpose and skill in the present moment.
Pathway to Elite- Better today than you were yesterday, better tomorrow than you were today.
The Edge- The place where your current level of skill runs out and you must build new skill to grow.
Win the Moment- The ability to do the best you can with intention, purpose and skill in the next 5 minutes.
Humility- the understanding that you have gaps and can always improve.
Intent- Making the choice of your action. Your What.
Purpose- Knowing you’re choosing to pursue your objective. Your Why.
Skill- Doing something to the best of your current ability or highest standard. Your How.
Growth- The process of engaging in productive discomfort at the edge.
Practicing at the Edge- practicing just outside your current abilities.
Maturity- When something you have to do becomes something you want to do.
Complacency- Self-satisfaction with your position in your life. The antithesis of growth. Behaving on default.
If you’re interested in the entire document, 4 other useful templates for coaches, and a short webinar on leadership… Check it out for free by clicking the button.