Jenny Glenn shares strategies in this video on how to better connect with today’s athletes.
After reading the book “Marching Off the Map,” Glenn says she better understands the challenges faced by this generation.
“When you start to understand where people are coming from, you can lead them better,” Glenn says. “I love the title of this book because, as coaches, we’re constantly marching off the map. The coaches who are good at creating a new map are the ones that find success.”
According to the book, these are some defining characteristics of this generation:
- Multitaskers
- Open-minded
- Overwhelmed
- Technology reliant
- Fearful
One of Glenn’s messages is that failure is a good thing; it’s an opportunity to learn and grow.
“We have such a fear of failure, and because of this perfectionism, our athletes are really drowning,” Glenn says. “As coaches, I want you to pay attention to that. How do you handle it in your gym?”
Glenn’s solution is to help athletes play more freely.
“When they feel the freedom, and you’re actually telling them ‘good job’ when they hit the back wall on a high hand shot but barely miss the fingers, that’s everything,” Glenn says. “Because you might be the only person in their life who responds like that.”
