Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC Blog

When the gym is closed, the gym is closed

Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Fri, Aug 20, 2010 @ 06:08 AM

If rules were meant to be broken, why do we even bother with them? We set policies for our student-athletes to help us maintain control over the things we are responsible for. So when Star Athlete says, ‘Mind giving me the security code to the weight room door so I can get in a lift after hours?’, no big deal right.

Except that Star Athlete might share that code with a roommate, and he/she might pass it along to two friends. All of the sudden, everyone has the code and even though the weight room is officially closed, it’s more open than ever. Now you have liability issues, and equipment will start to slowly disappear. All because you made an exception.

The hardest thing to do with masses of people is to implement a new policy. It is human nature to resist change. So when our job dictates we change the way something is done, we have to stand by that policy with no exceptions, even if it means being the bad guy every now and then. Once people realize that no actually means no, they will start to respect and follow your policy and your policy will be effective.

But then don’t start making exceptions!

 

Mark Harris is the Assistant Director of Athletic Development at Northeastern University.

Topics: basketball training programs, athletic training conference, Ownership, john wooden, customer service, development, Leadership

Elevate or Fire: Managing Employees

Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Tue, Jul 6, 2010 @ 13:07 PM

The old way to manage people is to instill fear in them.  Let them know that you hold all the cards.  That you sign their paycheck and ultimately can have their desk cleaned out.

"Fall in line or else!"

Wouldn't it be easier to instead instill motivation and vigor instead of fear? Let them know that you are there to help them solve problems, promote their work, help them make connections to other people and provide new skills for them to succeed?

I guess the end result is the same though.

In both scenarios their desks end up cleaned out.  The first scenario after you fire them, the second because you created an environment for growth and promotion and ultimately they leave to take a better job.

The only difference is a lot more work gets done in the second scenario. And of course, usually ends in a hug and a thank you.

Topics: john wooden, Good to Great, discipline, Seth Godin, strength and conditioning tips, superdiscipline

A Legend Passes

Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Mon, Jun 7, 2010 @ 08:06 AM

A Legend Passes
Coach John Wooden
 
john wooden
 
Oct 14, 1910 – June 4, 2010
“Make everyday your masterpiece”

Coach Wooden will be remembered for his 10 NCAA Basketball Championships, including an unprecedented 7 in a row, along with his 620 total wins including 88 straight.  But I’ll remember Coach Wooden for teaching athletes prior to each season how to properly put on their socks and shoes to avoid getting blisters.

Mastering the basics.

Now there’s a novel idea that all athletic trainers and strength coaches can apply when dealing with athletes.

Thanks John.

 

Topics: athletic training conference, athletic training, john wooden, everything basketball