259 - He showered her with roses but never asked her favorite flower. - R. Gatwood

This is a love languages episode. Every year I ask our players how they feel most appreciated. I want them to know that I want to try and make them feel like I appreciate them. People feel loved and appreciated in different ways though. Some love a high five. Some love public praises. Some love a little note that no one else knows about. Some want their picture on the team instagram. Some want their name in the paper and others are mortified if i put them on the instagram or in the newspaper. This year I asked ‘how and when do you feel most appreciated’, and got lots of answers like ‘when i score a goal or get an assist’, or ‘when the team cheers my name’. Which is all fine. But that means that even with a TREMENDOUS season, a kid will only feel appreciated MAYBE 20  times. My assistant coach challenged me to rephrase that question in the future to ‘how can we help you feel most appreciated?’ Because that has nothing to do with their time or performance on the field. My challenge for you, don’t shower your kids with roses without asking what their favorite flower is. Ask the right questions, and LISTEN to the answers.