Coach Mike Krzyzewski speaks on communication.
by Chase Cooper
While team success can be largely attributed to the talent on the field, there are many other factors that teams and organizations must perfect in order to ensure sustained success. One of the factors, if not the most important, is effective communication from the top to the bottom of the organization.
When a sport organization’s front office is deciding on their next head coach, general manager, coordinator, etc. they must take into account more than just the sport knowledge of the individual. The candidate must be able to put a plan in place that the front office agrees with and be able to clearly communicate their plans to every member of their organization.
Nora Princiotti, a reporter for The Ringer (a sports website and podcast network), posted an article in 2021, The NFL’s Empathy Gap. The article focused on NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the situation regarding the restructuring of his contract with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers expressed frustration multiple times throughout the 2020 season after the team’s front office drafted quarterback Jordan Love without informing Rodgers.
In the article, Princiotti wrote that “Rodgers got no advance explanation or assurance that the pick was not a reflection of him or his standing with the team.” This was one of many situations in which management did not provide clear communication to their team’s franchise quarterback.
Coach Billy Napier communicates with Players
Today, the increased use of data and analytics within organizations have transformed them to become even more analytically based and has resulted in poorer communication skills. Princiotti also reported insights from a league source who works in personnel. “I’ve worked in three places, and the communication has never been great,” the source said in her article.
For those aspiring to be leaders in a sport organization, it is essential to learn how to be an effective communicator and to not forget the importance of communication. Those who can provide this type of effective communication will be able to achieve sustained success, something that so few in the sporting industry have been able to do.
