JOHN WOODEN: "Criticism and correct differ, especially when it comes to methods and motives. Criticism puts someone down. Correction means I want to help."TONY DUNGY: "Harsh criticism is often driven by insecurity or the need to exert power and authority over others. It usually does more damage than good and can quickly tear down one's confidence. On the other hand, correction is rooted in a desire to see people learn and grow. It's about giving them the best chance to succeed.
Coach Wooden's style of teaching and correction greatly influenced me as an NFL head coach. I learned quickly that when an athlete has a problem in his or her personal life or on the field, how you correct that athlete becomes important.
Jesus corrected people by getting them to think. He presented analogies using nature and cultural references. Jesus also shared parables that gave His disciples truths to ponder in relatable presentations. One such example is found in Matthew 21:28-31. It's a story of a man and his two sons:
He went to the first and said, 'My son, go, work in the vineyard today." He answered, 'I don't want to!' Yet later he changed his mind and went. Then the man went to the other and said the same thing. 'I will, sir," he answered. But he didn't go. Which of the two did his father's will?
Of course, this mode of correction isn't devoid of discipline. There's still a right and a wrong way to go about your business. It reminds me of a story Coach Wooden once told about Bill Walton, a UCLA player who back in 1971, didn't want to cut his hair. Walton asked Coach, 'What if I don't want to cut my hair?' To that, Coach matter-of-factly replied, 'You'll be the longest-haired guy on the intramural team.'
People ask all the time if different coaches would have been successful in other ears. There's not doubt that Coach Wooden could have coaches in this era."
COACH WOODEN: "Be slow to correct and quick to comment. No one likes correction, but we learn from it. If we commend before we correct, the person will accept the correction better. But we must listen before we correct. There is usually another side to every story. If we listen to others, they will be more apt to listen to us."
From "The Greatest Coach Ever" by The Fellowship of Christian Athletes
(A must read for any coach, regardless of sport, gender or age)
