Any coach has two main jobs: to teach and to motivate. That process involves words, so we must be very careful about the exact words we use.

Jack Perconte has offered a wonderful article on things to say and to not say. Among his points is that your tone and body language make all the difference in the way you communicate.

Words that may seem harsh when viewed on paper could actually be constructive if delivered well. The reverse is true; the right words mean nothing if spoken in a harsh tone.

Peak performance guru Dave Cross says that only seven percent of what we communicate comes from words. The rest comes from tone and body language.

If you keep Coach Cross’ advice in mind, both of Perconte’s lists — What to Say and What Not to Say — are well worth reading.

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TotalGamePlan offers Winner’s Workshops for schools, sports teams and businesses. The emphasis is on motivation, skill-building and teamwork. To bring a Winner’s Workshop to your group, just email coachtully@totalgameplan.com or call (973) 800-5836.