Effective Communication Exercise

Step 1: Team Communication Self-Audit (Chat or Poll Reflection)

• On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your communication skills in a team setting?
• Where do you struggle the most? (Clarity, listening, directness, emotions, feedback, etc.)
• What’s one strength you bring to team communication?

Step 2: Scenario-Based Discussion – Taking Responsibility for Communication

Scenario 1: Miscommunication Under Pressure

• Situation: It’s the final seconds of a game, and a play is drawn up, but the players execute it incorrectly because of miscommunication.
• Discussion Questions:
• What went wrong in this scenario?
• Who is responsible for the miscommunication? (Coach? Player giving the message? Player receiving it?)
• How should responsibility be handled? Should teammates call each other out? Should the leader step up?
• What steps can the team take to ensure better communication moving forward?

Lesson: Communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about ensuring the message is received and acted upon.

Scenario 2: A Teammate Feels Unheard

• Situation: A player keeps asking for more involvement in the offense, but their concerns are ignored by teammates.
• Discussion Questions:
• What is the root issue in communication here?
• Who is responsible for addressing this? (The player speaking up? The coach? The teammates?)
• How could this be handled more effectively?
• What happens when a player feels unheard for too long? How does it impact team morale and performance?

Lesson: Great teams make sure everyone’s voice is heard, not just the loudest or most dominant personalities.

Step 3: Leadership Triangle in Action – Rewriting the Message

Exercise: Rewriting the Message Using the Leadership Triangle (What, Why, How)

A coach tells a player, “Be more aggressive.”

• Problem: This is vague. How does the player interpret “aggressive”? Does that mean scoring more? Playing tougher defense? Talking more?
• Task: Rewrite this message using the Leadership Triangle:

Step 4: Personal Communication Action Plan

1. Identify one communication goal for the next week:
• What is something you will do differently when speaking to teammates or coaches?
• What specific skill will you work on? (Listening, directness, feedback, clarity, nonverbal cues, etc.)

1. Write your communication goal below:

Final Reflection & Challenge (Wrap-Up Discussion in Chat or Live Response)

• Final Thought: “The greatest teams are built on trust, role clarity, and accountability.”
• Challenge: Identify one action you can take this week to enhance your team’s communication.

Answers: