Reflection and Deepening Module

Session #10: Communication and Positive Influence in Sports

Session Overview

The objective of this session is to enhance the athlete's communication skills and develop a positive influence within their sports environment. These skills can greatly support performance goals by fostering a climate of motivation and respect.

Session Objectives

• Help the athlete improve their communication to positively influence their teammates and coaches.
• Provide tools to strengthen their impact in sports interactions.

Communication & Positive Influence

Question 1

• Tell me about an area of your sports life where you would like to have more positive influence.
• Why is it important for you to have more influence in this area?

Question 2

• What works well in your attempts to positively influence others?
• What allows you to say that?
• How does this impact your sports environment?

Question 3

• What seems difficult in your quest for influence?
• What allows you to say that?
• How does this impact your motivation?
• What could you put in place to improve this influence?

Question 4

• Do you think you have strong influencing abilities?
• If yes, what makes you effective in this area?
• If no, what could you do to strengthen this skill?
• In what other areas could you apply these skills to improve your sports career?

Question 5

• If you could have more influence to gain the support needed for your goals, what would you ask for?

End of Session Anchoring

Take a moment to visualize the commitments made today and imagine applying them. Feel the effects and benefits that this positive influence brings to your sports progression.

Session Work Sheet

Session #10: Communication and Positive Influence in Sports

Principles of Positive Influence

Positive influence relies on three fundamental elements in sports relationships:

• 1. recognition
• 2. ambition
• 3. emotion.

These elements help to better understand and inspire others while motivating positive actions.

Recognition

Influence begins with understanding and appreciating others. Recognizing and valuing the situations and efforts of teammates or partners creates a solid foundation for positive influence.

Ambition

Help your partners envision a better future. By showing how their actions can bring them personal satisfaction or external recognition, you encourage stronger motivation.

Emotion

Use stories, personal experiences, and a positive attitude to inspire and motivate those around you to give their best.

Positive Influence Exercises

Reflect on how you can use these principles to positively influence your teammates, coaches, or partners.

Complete these statements:

• a) An area of my sports life where I need to positively influence others to move forward is...
• b) In my next influencing situation (choose a person you want to motivate), what I should say to show my support and understanding could be...
• c) To inspire ambition in this situation, I could say something like...
• d) To generate positive emotions and motivate this person, I could use words or stories like...

Prepare for your next influencing situation:

• a) The belief or action I am trying to influence in this person is...
• b) The reason I want to influence them to engage is...
• c) The ways I can present this positively, so they see the benefits for both of us, are...
• d) The future benefits this person might feel by following this suggestion are...
• e) The internal (passion, values) and external (recognition, success) rewards that could motivate this person to act are...
• f) The daily impact for this person by following my advice would be...
• g) The benefits for others, if this person accepts, would be...
• h) The possible consequences if they choose not to act are...
• i) The deadline for this commitment is...
• j) and the reason they would want to meet this deadline is...