Your Summer is Over!

by Kim Brewster

With the start of high school three weeks away, my daughter returned from the first day of volleyball tryouts rather dejected and forlorn. “Guess what they said to us first thing?” she asked me. “YOUR SUMMER IS OVER – practice is at 6:45 am, Monday through Friday, and you are expected to be on the court and ready,” she replied.

A friend of mine with a son the same age as my daughter, but who is in band, said to me a day later, “Guess what the kids were told first thing the first day of band practice?” “YOUR SUMMER IS OVER – marching practice is at 6:45 am, Monday through Friday, and you are expected to be on the field, instruments ready,” she replied.

I imagine this was the same militaristic announcement was delivered to all kids in athletics. But does the message serve to motivate? Of course these kids realize that summer, as they knew it, is over. They chose to be present for tryouts and practices because of a love or dedication to the sport or fine art.

What if these students had been greeted with, “Welcome – we are so glad you are here.” “We realize that you are cutting your summer short to participate in ___________.” “We honor your commitment to and dedication to ____________.” “We have high expectations and have set ground rules to help you succeed.”

The same message delivered from a different perspective can radically alter the motivation, for better or worse. These messages are no different in the workplace. Which style of coaching or leading encourages and motivates you? See if you can figure it out before summer is over.