Keep in mind less than 1% of student athletes will ever make the professional level. Additionally, less than 1% will ever earn a scholarship. Few will move on, however hearing the truth about your abilities and performance is critical to understanding where you stand. This is not just important in sports, but it actually carries over to real world situations as well.

We live in a world which often yearns for the truth, however we all seem to fail to do what we want. Being honest allows the people around you to know exactly….precisely where you stand. It is not always easy to receive criticism, however if presented in the right manner…and It is so critical that your manager in the work place let you know where you need work….where you are excelling…..and how they can help. In many cases, the failure of an employee is actually the failure of a manager. Good managers can help good employees become great. However, I will preface that with the employee has to do the work…put the time in….work on changing behaviors to succeed. The manager can provide a road map to get there…be a cheerleader…….and then hope for the best. This does not always work, but sometimes it does, thus resulting in being good for everyone. Good managers don’t let too much time slip by prior to engaging with their employees. This does not mean they need to micro manage, however it does include check-ins….and showing a genuine interest in the people that often make you as a manager look good.

done with great honesty……who can argue with it. There is nothing worse than being told how great you are by your boss when they don’t in fact mean it. It is so critical that your manager in the work place let you know where you need work….where you are excelling…..and how they can help. In many cases, the failure of an employee is actually the failure of a manager. Good managers can help good employees become great. However, I will preface that with the employee has to do the work…put the time in….work on changing behaviors to succeed. The manager can provide a road map to get there…be a cheerleader…….and then hope for the best. This does not always work, but sometimes it does, thus resulting in being good for everyone. Good managers don’t let too much time slip by prior to engaging with their employees. This does not mean they need to micro manage, however it does include check-ins….and showing a genuine interest in the people that often make you as a manager look good.

In sports, the best coaches will ride you all day and that is not always easy to deal with. However, they believe in you if they are using physical energy to drive your performance. Now, with that said there are some coaches who fly off the handle too much. It is better to be paid attention to when on the field then be ignored. The truth is you need some level of balance to feel encouraged vs. discouraged. The best coaches or manager in business somehow find that balance. It is not easy and for every employee it is different.

When a manager or coach is honest people get the most out of those conversations. If communicated correctly people in general just want to get better. Who wants to fail over and over or be told they are great when they are not? By telling someone they are great all the time you eventually build a monster. The monster believes they are ahead when they are simply failing due to dishonest feedback. It is not easy to critique….emotions can get in the way….however, success comes from direction that is truthful and forgiving. Be honest and watch your subordinates or players thrive! The best athletes progress based on the fact they have been told the truth thus allowing them to better understand where the work needs to go.